Shelby Chapel Church - Henderson County, TX
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member QuarrellaDeVil
N 32° 14.234 W 095° 49.226
15S E 234237 N 3570222
Built in 1895, the Shelby Chapel church is at the intersection of Henderson County Rd 3714 and FM 1616. It's about four miles from Athens, TX.
Waymark Code: WMZC6Q
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/17/2018
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member veritas vita
Views: 0

A 1999 Texas Historical Marker mentions that the Presbyterian congregation dissolved, leaving Shelby Chapel as a country church, but if they are still active, there is no evidence of it. There are no signs, and no Internet presence, but restrooms behind the church might suggest activity. It might be a little much to construct facilities for a small country cemetery that may not see many visitors, but it's happened before. The historical marker reads:

James Madison Shelby (1814-1889), a native of North Carolina, moved with his large family from Alabama to Texas in the 1870s. They first lived in Smith County, then moved to southeastern Henderson County. There they established a Presbyterian church named Morrison Chapel for the minister who preached there. Services were held in the home of James and Amanda Ann Henderson Shelby until a small building was erected. Church members buried their loved ones in an adjoining cemetery. James Madison Shelby was interred in Morrison Chapel Cemetery upon his death.

The extended Shelby family relocated again in 1891, this time to an area three miles northeast of the center of Athens. Amanda Ann Henderson Shelby lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Jeff Decal and Susan Ella Shelby Horn. Mrs. Shelby gave the Horns seven acres of land, reserving two acres for a Presbyterian church and cemetery. Religious services were held in the Horn home until Thomas Dunklin, another Shelby son-in-law, received the contract to construct a church building called Shelby Chapel in 1895. Amanda A. Shelby died in 1896 and was interred with her husband. The first burial in Shelby Chapel Cemetery was that of J.D. and Susan Horn's infant son in 1897. Shelby Chapel and the Athens Cumberland Presbyterian Church were united between 1901 and 1905. The church remained Presbyterian until 1964 when it became a non-denominational community church.

Many armed forces veterans are interred here, including Confederate soldiers. Members of Shelby Chapel and their descendants continue to be interred in the cemetery, which remains as a chronicle of area settlers.
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1895

Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque

If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Non-denominational

Street address of Church:
8629 FM 1616
Athens, TX USA
75752


If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed

If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Not listed

Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed

Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
1) A photo of the church is required for visits to a waymark.

2) Please share some comments about your visit.

3) Additional photos are encouraged. If you can have information in addition to that already provided about this church, please share it with us.

Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest This Old Church
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
There are no logs for this waymark yet.