Olive Branch Baptist Church and Rocky Chapel School
Glidden, Colorado County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Olive Branch Baptist Church was established in the 1860s. Charter members were Jeff Collier, Jim Shepherd, John Turbin, Jack Johnson, and Gus, Elizah, and Jim Smallwood. Begun several miles west of this site, the church moved here in 1896. The following year, the Rocky Chapel School opened. Built on property deeded by the families of James and Pothenia Smallwood, the schoolhouse remained in use until 1955, when the Glidden schools merged with Columbus. The early school and church reflect the rich heritage of Glidden's black community. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in the 1860s by a handful of formerly enslaved and free Black families, Olive Branch Baptist Church moved to this site in 1896, and the Rocky Chapel School opened beside it the next year on land the Smallwood family deeded. The school taught Glidden's Black children until 1955, when local schools consolidated with Columbus. Together the church and school anchored a Black farming community for nearly a century.
Why it matters
Church and school together were the heart of African American community life after emancipation, offering faith, education and self-determination when few other institutions would.
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Related people
- · James Smallwood
- · Pothenia Smallwood
Themes & tags
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