County Line Missionary Baptist Church
Edom, Van Zandt County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Oral tradition links this church to the original County Line Baptist Church of 1851, the earliest recorded attempt of area African American families to create a community of worship. County Line Colored Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1872 on this site, donated by Will Manley. The Rev. L. M. Rabb was the first pastor. An air conditioned brick building was erected in 1967, replacing two earlier wood structures. Providing such aid as food, medicine, educational scholarships, and spiritual counsel, the church remains a proud focal point for community affairs. (1997)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This congregation traces its roots to some of the earliest efforts by area African American families to build a place of worship, linked by tradition to an 1851 church. Formally founded in 1872 on land donated by Will Manley, with the Rev. L. M. Rabb as first pastor, it replaced two wooden buildings with a brick sanctuary in 1967. Beyond worship it has long offered food, medicine, and educational scholarships.
Why it matters
Black churches like County Line were anchors of freedom and mutual aid after emancipation, sustaining community life across generations.
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Themes & tags
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