Vineyard Grove Baptist Church
Windom, Fannin County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Instituted under direction of Elder Willie Pickett, missionary of Southern Baptist Convention, on Nov. 9, 1847. Charter members: Betsy Parrish Gilmer; Margaret Hart; John W. Jones, Tamazine D. Jones, Tamazine F. Jones; Benjamin B. Parrish, Theresa C. Parrish; Sinclair Stapp, Sallie Parrish Stapp. Elder Pickett was chosen pastor; John W. Jones, deacon; and Sinclair Stapp, clerk. On June 16, 1849, Jones, David Pevler, and Adam Yoakum were asked to superintend building of a meetinghouse. This was completed in 1853. The church still serves this community.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Organized in November 1847 under the missionary Elder Willie Pickett, this Baptist congregation was one of the earliest in Fannin County, gathered from a handful of pioneer families. Within two years the members set about building a meetinghouse, completed in 1853. The little frontier church has served its community ever since.
Why it matters
Congregations founded within a decade of Texas statehood show how quickly faith and community took root on the settlement frontier.
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Related people
- · Willie Pickett
- · John W. Jones
- · Sinclair Stapp
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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