St. Paul Freewill Baptist Church
Lancaster, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
According to oral tradition, this congregation was organized in 1870 by the freed Blacks of the Lancaster community. Land for a church building was acquired in the late 1870s, during the pastorate of the Rev. Augustus Ferrin, but the sanctuary was not completed until about 1892. It was enlarged in 1905 to accommodate a growing membership. Descendants of many of the early members still worship here. As they continue to uphold the ideals and traditions of the founders.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Oral tradition holds that freed Black residents of the Lancaster community organized this congregation in 1870, in the first years of freedom after emancipation. Land was secured in the late 1870s under the Rev. Augustus Ferrin, though the sanctuary was not finished until about 1892 and had to be enlarged in 1905 as the membership grew. Descendants of the founding families still worship in the church their forebears built.
Why it matters
Independent Black churches founded during Reconstruction were among the first institutions African Americans controlled in freedom, serving as anchors of worship, education, and community leadership for generations.
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Related people
- · Augustus Ferrin
Themes & tags
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