Pleasant Green Baptist Church
Longview, Gregg County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Following the Civil War, emancipated slaves established the Freedmen's community of Pleasant Green. On December 20, 1871, pastors Henry Moses and Charles Anderson led local residents in organizing a Baptist congregation. The Rev. Henry Mass served as the church's first pastor. Originally meeting on a small farm, the congregation moved to this site in 1884, constructing a frame sanctuary. Simon and Mealy Claiborn deeded the property to the church. In 1909, the congregation built a larger house of worship to which it made additions throughout the 20th century. Today, the church remains a central part of the historic African American community, fostering education and spirituality. (2004)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
After emancipation, freedpeople established the community of Pleasant Green, and in December 1871 pastors Henry Moses and Charles Anderson helped local residents organize a Baptist congregation, with the Rev. Henry Mass as its first pastor. From a small farm the church moved to this site in 1884 on land deeded by Simon and Mealy Claiborn, raising a frame sanctuary and later a larger house of worship. It remains a center of the historic African American community.
Why it matters
Churches like this were the beating heart of Freedmen's communities, offering formerly enslaved people their first independent institutions for worship, education, and self-determination.
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Related people
- · Henry Moses
- · Charles Anderson
- · Henry Mass
Related events
- · Founding of the Freedmen's community of Pleasant Green
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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