Lost Prairie Cemetery and Church
Groesbeck, Limestone County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Established by volunteers in 1846; sponsoring group formed about 1900. According to legend, a man lost in the surrounding woods named the site when he stumbled onto the prairie. The graves of many early settlers include Azariah G. Moore, a soldier in the Texas War for Independence. First officials of the cemetery association were Jeff Rambo, chairman, and Beulah Holloway, secretary. Successors include Dan Dove, Jake Hudson, W. C.Jackson, Bill Kennedy, I. M. Kennedy, Joe Lansford, Cliff Sims and J. B. Sims. Others helping in preservation of site were R. L. Dossey, J. A. Easterling, W. K. Hardison, W. L. Henderson, A. B. Sims, E. E. Sims, J. J. Sims, J. L. Sims, and R. A. Sims. Others have served as caretakers since the grounds were opened; among them George Henry, J. N. Henry and Bill Sims. Baptist church was situated here about 1850. Present building is fourth structure to serve as a church. First pastor was Rev. William Clark. Founding members included the Beavers, Browns, Easterlings, Gregorys, Henrys, Kennedys, Lansfords, Mortons, Rambos, Sanctifiers, Cutthroats, Sims, Summers, Thompson and Waylands. One early church member, A. J. Rogers, was named a deacon after returning from the Civil War. Landowners donated the original eight-acre site. 1967
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Established by volunteers in 1846 and, by legend, named when a man lost in the woods stumbled onto the open prairie, this site holds the graves of many early settlers — among them Azariah G. Moore, a soldier of the Texas War for Independence. A Baptist church stood here from about 1850, and the present sanctuary is the fourth to serve the congregation. One early member, A. J. Rogers, was made a deacon after returning home from the Civil War.
Why it matters
The interwoven cemetery and church chronicle a full generation of Texas settlement, from independence-era pioneers through the Civil War, on land the settlers themselves donated.
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Related people
- · Azariah G. Moore
- · William Clark
- · A. J. Rogers
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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