Antioch Baptish Church - Bells, TX
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N 33° 37.105 W 096° 27.600
14S E 735637 N 3722741
Antioch Baptist Church in the Pinks Hill Community of Bells, Grayson County, Texas
Waymark Code: WM74HF
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/31/2009
Views: 5
Antioch Baptist Church in the Pinks Hills Community of Bells, Grayson County, Texas. The church is located near state highway 56 on Pink Hill Road.
HISTORICAL MARKER AT SITE:
Formally organized in 1861 as Antioch Baptist Church of Christ, this congregation first worshiped in a log cabin approximately 2.5 miles south of this site. S. J. Wright, R. T. Gardner and J. D. Thomas comprised the organizing presbytery. In 1872, the congregation moved to the Pink Hill community where it shared a building and land at this site with the Pink Hill school. Baptisms took place in Choctaw Creek and in nearby stock tanks. As a charter member of the Grayson County Baptist Association, Antioch became known simply as Antioch Baptist Church after 1886. The 1890s saw much growth, resulting in the dedication of a new building in 1890 and the establishment of a Sunday school in 1893. In the early 1900s, Antioch Baptist Church became active in foreign and home mission work, a tradition it has continued into the 21st century. A growing membership required the completion of larger worship spaces in 1919 and again in 1974. In the latter half of the 20th century, the congregation secured its first full-time pastor, enhanced its mission work in the community and abroad, and provided a number of programs for young people. As an integral part of the Pink Hill community, Antioch Baptist Church has played an important role in the lives of those who worship here. It continues to uphold the ideals and traditions of its founders as it moves forward in service to others. (2001)
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ADDITIONAL HISTORY:
The Antioch Baptist Church and Pink Hill School were located in the community of Pink Hill, two miles West of Bells, Texas. The community was established in the 1850's. A post office was located in the Soul Williams home; or on present-day Rufus Reynolds property. The Antioch Baptist Church was built in 1861. Shortly afterwards the school was built.
The Antioch Baptist Church has been a place of worship for the Pink Hill area since 1860. The church then, was known as the Antioch Church of Christ. The church began in a double-logged cabin two and 1/2 miles south of the present location. When the church moved, the seats were made from split logs and pegs taken from the old church building. The acre that the church now sits on was originally donated by Josiah and Elizabeth Washburn for the Pink Hill School. The school and church shared the accommodations.
The school and church were destroyed by fire in 1940. The Pink Hill School consolidated with the Bells Schools in 1943. The Antioch Baptist Church purchased the property for one dollar in 1949.
October 27, 2001, Antioch Baptist Church was awarded a historical marker.
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