Oakland Baptist Church - Canton, TX - Baptist Churches on Waymarking.com

A Free State Historical Association marker is on the grounds to provide some history:

The church was organized in 1903 with charter members J.J. Reid, John Reid, K.A. Reid, J.L. Stephens, C. Stephens, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Stephens, M. Carpenter and Mr. & Mrs. J. Peterson.

In 1904, the first building was built on 1 acre purchased for $1.00. A new building was built in 1923 north of the original site. In 1962 a new sanctuary was built and the old building remodeled into classrooms and a fellowship hall. Additional classrooms were built in 1973. A parsonage was added in 1988 on land deeded by the J.A. Morgan family.

First Recorded Pastor D.H. Richardson

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Oakland is a small, rural community of about 25 people, northeast of Canton, and according to a nearby Texas Historical Marker, this church was established in 1901. While the marker was created for the cemetery across the road, it provides some community details as well:

The oldest marked grave in Oakland Cemetery is that of Oscar Lee who was born and died on the same November day in 1882. The earliest recorded school building at Oakland was erected in 1885. It served as a non-denominational church on Sundays and was located just north of the cemetery. During a brush arbor revival, the preacher's infant child became ill and died. This is believed to be the first unmarked grave in Oakland Cemetery. In 1887, M.M. Burks deeded one acre for a cemetery; by 1896 the site held about forty graves among cedar trees.

Early settler Lizzie Currey McMahon deeded two acres of land for a Methodist church in 1894. The Methodist congregation was organized in 1901; a Baptist church organized in 1904. In the early 20th century the Oakland community included the cemetery, school and churches, and a cotton gin owned by Lizzie's father John T. Currey. A prominent citizen, Currey served in the Texas House of Representatives four times. The Oakland School District was established in 1905. By 1913 there were 42 students from the earliest level to the 7th grade. The school was consolidated with Grand Saline schools about 1938.

Other early settlers buried on this site include Joseph and Sabrina Reid and members of their family. Sabrina is believed to have been of American Indian descent. The Adkins, Boyer, Burks, Carpenter, Chambless, Downs, Fincher, Gillespie, Kennedy, King, Lee, McMahon, Stephens, Skinner and Wheeler families are represented, as well. Additional acreage was deeded to the cemetery in 1954 by the Metzger and Morgan families. The Oakland Cemetery continues to serve as a chronicle of the past.

Date Built: 01/01/1962 Age of Church building determined by?: Historical marker Service Times: Sunday, 10:30 AM and 6 PM Website: [Web Link] Church Address: 12468 FM 1255 Canton, TX USA 75103

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