[Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, Marshall]

Description

Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church is located at 801 W. Grand Ave. (Hwy 80) in Marshall. A historic African-American congregation, it was founded in 1867 at a time when many newly-emancipated blacks were leaving white churches to establish their own. 450 members founded the first congregation, led by Rev. William Massey, a black religious leader, with the assistance of Rev. A. E. Clemmons, pastor of the white First Baptist Church. The first meetings were held in Rev. Massey's house until the first dedicated building, a one-story wooden structure, was erected at the present location. That structure has an entry in the … continued below

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Creator: Unknown. Creation Date: Unknown.

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This photograph is part of the collection entitled: Texas History Collection and was provided by the Marshall Public Library to The Portal to Texas History, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries. It has been viewed 588 times. More information about this photograph can be viewed below.

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Marshall Public Library

The Library was organized in 1902 and continues to serve the area. The Marshall Public Library provides access to local history photographs documenting their Library and notable African-American citizens instrumental in the East Texas city's development.

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Description

Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church is located at 801 W. Grand Ave. (Hwy 80) in Marshall. A historic African-American congregation, it was founded in 1867 at a time when many newly-emancipated blacks were leaving white churches to establish their own. 450 members founded the first congregation, led by Rev. William Massey, a black religious leader, with the assistance of Rev. A. E. Clemmons, pastor of the white First Baptist Church. The first meetings were held in Rev. Massey's house until the first dedicated building, a one-story wooden structure, was erected at the present location. That structure has an entry in the Texas History Portal. It served until the period 1897-1901, when it was razed and replaced with an enlarged brick building of Gothic style. That one burned in 1953 and was replaced with the nearly identical building which is shown at left. The facade faces south and contains the old wooden facade as a link with the past. In the beginning, the congregation was known simply as "Colored Baptist Church," which was the name on the deed. Later the members changed the name to identify with the healing pool of Bethesda in Biblical Jerusalem. During the 1980's the word "Missionary" was added to reflect denominational affiliation. Throughout its history, the congregation has nurtured pastors and members noted not only in Marshall but also far beyond her borders. A founding member was David Abner, the Harrison County treasurer, House of Representatives member in the Fourteenth Legislature, and delegate to the 1875 Constitutional Convention. Another was Andrew Gross, father of Frederick Gross who became a president of Houston College. Bethesda was also involved in the founding of Bishop College, the black Baptist institution that was located in Marshall from 1881-1961. In 2008 Bethesda was added to the "Buard History Trail" which recognizes historic Marshall sites of African-American heritage.

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Texas History Collection

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Added to The Portal to Texas History

  • Sept. 14, 2006, 11:25 p.m.

Description Last Updated

  • Dec. 16, 2008, 5:49 p.m.

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[Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, Marshall], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth18014/: accessed May 13, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Marshall Public Library.

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