First Baptist Church of Murphy
Murphy, Collin County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In 1900, twelve years after the founding of Murphy, local resident Mrs. May Cockrell directed the formation of this congregation. Aware of the need for a Baptist church in the community, she hosted the organizational meeting in her home. Present were many of her friends, including the Rev. G.W. McCalla a Baptist preacher from Plano, and Bob Coleman of the Plano Star-Courier. The same year Mrs. Louisa Brown donated land at this site for construction of the sanctuary. Since 1900 the congregation has made many significant contributions to the community.** (1981)***
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1900, twelve years after Murphy's founding, local resident Mrs. May Cockrell gathered friends in her home to organize a Baptist congregation the growing community lacked. Among those present were a visiting Plano preacher and a newspaperman from the Plano Star-Courier. That same year Mrs. Louisa Brown donated land at this site for the sanctuary, and the church has served the community ever since.
Why it matters
It highlights the often-overlooked role of women as founders and land donors in building the civic and spiritual institutions of small Texas towns at the turn of the twentieth century.
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Related people
- · May Cockrell
- · Louisa Brown
Themes & tags
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