Highland Baptist Church - Edgewood, TX - Baptist Churches on Waymarking.com

While a 2006 Texas Historical Marker here is really for the cemetery behind the church (which appears to be a fairly modern building), there is some interesting reading about the Highland community, including a reference to church life:

Established by 1894, this burial ground serves the Highland community. In the 1880s, pioneering farmers settled the area after construction of a road which allowed easier access to markets. In 1889, John and Elizabeth Valentine deeded property for a school building, which would also serve as a place of worship for Methodist and Church of Christ congregations. Community leaders instrumental in establishing a school community and in constructing the first building included J.J. Bateman, D.J. Newborn, Z.B. Daugherty, W.H. Palmer, U.L. Martin, John Hall and Joe Hamlet, along with John Valentine. The school moved in 1921, but the original site continued to be used as a burial ground.

The oldest dated burial here, dating to 1894, is of Grover Dillard. Also buried here are veterans of conflicts dating to the Civil War and Highland pioneers, including members of the Bateman, Batts, Hall, Palmer, Martin and Thompson families. Many of the interred were farmers, reflecting the rural nature of the settlement. At first, cotton was the area's primary crop; by the late 1930s, tomatoes became the main crop. Farmers also produced sweet potatoes, watermelons, and other fruits and vegetables. By the late 1950s, hay and cattle became major industries in this area, as throughout Van Zandt County.

Highland Cemetery features obelisks, vertical stones, a Woodmen of the World marker and curbing. In 1959, Highland Memorial Association organized to care for the cemetery. Today, this cemetery endures as one of the few remaining vestiges of the Highland community.

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Like many small country churches, Highland Baptist Church lacks any kind of significant Internet presence beyond various listings and occasional references in news articles.

Service Times: Sunday, 11 AM and 6 PM Church Address: 3601 County Road 3204 Edgewood, TX USA 75117 Date Built: Not listed Age of Church building determined by?: Not listed Website: Not listed

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