Black Oak Baptist Church
Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Named for the black oak trees surrounding it, the Black Oak community was settled in the 1850s by recipients of government land grants. By 1854 a post office had been established, and a log building had been constructed for use as a community church and school. In its early years, Black Oak had a gin, hardwood sawmill, and grocery store. In 1856 Elders John J. D. Davis and Daniel Ramsey helped organize a Baptist congregation. The eight charter members-- H. W. Townsend, Stephen Bullock, Canter Irby, Rebecka Jane Byrd, Amanda Ford, F. M. Ford, Penelepe Floyd, and Malindy Bullock-- elected Davis as their first pastor. Throughout its history, Black Oak Baptist Church has been a focal point of the community. Early settlers David and Rebecca Attaway donated one acre of land for use of the church in 1859. Additional land was purchased in 1885 and in 1910. The current sanctuary replaced the original log building in 1909. The Black Oak Cemetery, located adjacent to the church building, long has been associated with this congregation. The oldest marked grave, that of Ava Oliver, is dated 1857. Many descendants of the early day founders of the Black Oak community are active in the Black Oak Baptist Church congregation today.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Named for the black oaks around it, this Northeast Texas community took root in the 1850s among families holding government land grants, and by 1854 had a post office and a log building that served as both church and school. In 1856 elders organized a Baptist congregation of eight charter members, which grew alongside the community's gin, sawmill, and store, replacing its log meeting house with a frame sanctuary in 1909.
Why it matters
It shows how a single log building serving as church and school became the seed of a lasting rural community, with descendants of the founders still in the pews generations later.
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Related people
- · John J. D. Davis
- · Daniel Ramsey
Themes & tags
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