FORMER Shelby Chapel/Athens Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Henderson County, TX - Presbyterian Churches on Waymarking.com

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.

Presbyterian Denomination: Vacant/Inactive Status: Inactive/Vacant/Ruin Address: 8629 FM 1616 Athens, TX USA 75752 Date Built: 1895 Architect: Unknown Relevant Web Site: Not listed

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