Damascus Baptist Church
Lindale, Smith County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This congregation was organized by 12 charter members in 1890. The Rev. David Skiles was chosen as the first pastor and M. W. Wadsworth as first elder. Services were held in the nearby Nebo community schoolhouse until about 1895 when the addition of 40 new members during a revival meeting prompted the congregation to begin plans to build a larger, more permanent church building. Amy Wells donated three acres here for church and cemetery purposes in 1895. Water for the congregation was provided by a spring on 1.5 acres located across the road and donated by Mr. and Mrs. D. B. McDowell. The first sanctuary was completed in 1896. At that time the church was named Damascus by Army Wells, presumably for the Damascus in a Bible story related to the conversion of the Apostle Paul. The Rev. Robert Gorsline was chosen the first full-time pastor in 1948. Baptisms were held in a nearby creek and pond until 1956, when an indoor baptistry was included in the church's new brick sanctuary. Over the years additional facilities have been built to house educational and fellowship programs. The congregation is active in missionary work and continues to provide spiritual guidance for the community.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Twelve charter members organized this congregation in 1890, worshiping in the nearby Nebo community schoolhouse until a revival in 1895 swelled their ranks and spurred plans for a permanent church. Amy Wells donated three acres for the sanctuary and cemetery, and the first church building was finished in 1896 — she is said to have named it Damascus after the biblical account of the Apostle Paul's conversion. Baptisms in a nearby creek gave way to an indoor baptistry only in 1956, as the church steadily added space for its educational and fellowship programs.
Why it matters
From a borrowed schoolhouse to a brick sanctuary, Damascus shows how rural East Texas congregations grew hand in hand with community education and gathering.
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Related people
- · Amy Wells
- · Rev. David Skiles
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Sabine Methodist Church
Lindale, TX
Organized in 1894 by the Rev. W. L. Pate and named for the nearby Sabine River, this Methodist congregation built on land donated by Joe Crone for a church, school, and cemetery. Served first by circuit-riding preachers, it began sharing a minister with the Lindale church in 1922 and merged with it in 1969. Throughout, it emphasized Christian education and fellowship for a scattered rural membership.
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