I love it when an article draws comments from readers because I always get to learn new things!
That’s what happened when Pastor Tommy Roberson responded to a shared post about the 176th birthday of Independence Baptist Church. It seems his church, Little River Baptist, is only 10 (or maybe only 8) years younger!
I love to research, but sometimes you come up with conflicting information. The historical marker at the Little River Baptist Church and Cemetery (near Temple, Texas) says the church was “organized in 1849 with eight members.” However a reference in Flowers and Fruits from the Wilderness, an autobiographical account by Baptist evangelist Z. N. Morrell, states (on p. 238) that Morrell organized the Little River church in 1847 with “six white and one colored member.” Either way, the congregation met at first in their own homes for worship, eventually building a small log cabin for their meetings. It was a good thing, too, because a three-day revival in 1855 added 70 new members to their congregation! Morrell, a circuit-riding evangelist, served as the first pastor.
The present building was completed in 1873 on land donated by Mrs. Z. N. Morrell. As in many religious structures of the time, men and women sat on opposite sides of the building, separated by a center aisle. Important members sat in front in what was sometimes referred to as the “Amen Pews” due to the members’ tradition of voicing their hearty approval to the sermons.
By 1895 the Little River Baptist Church had grown to become the largest church in the area, so the structure was enlarged again in 1907 (or 1909).
I was glad to learn a little more about the history of Little River Baptist church, which has served as an important hub of religious and social life for over 166 years!
Footnote: My friend who now serves as pastor tells me that the grandmother of one of the current members was raised by Delia Morrell, the original pastor’s wife, who is buried at the cemetery next to the church. Now THAT’s a legacy! Moms, when you invest your lives into children, you never know how far-reaching the fruit of your influence will be!
OJ
Hey Lynn, I just remember knowing Little River was by Temple. I only lived there a few years, and loved to see those old churches in the country. Over here by Palestine and Frankston is a small community called Brushy Creek. There is an arbor, I think a church is there or was close by. Anyway, they still gather there. I am not a lot of help, but that might be one to investigate one of these days! Maybe on a day off, we can tour over there! I’ll go rustle up some old folks, and we can get an earful of oral history.
Lynn Dean
An earful of oral history is a wonderful thing! When my parents made a trip to Virginia, they made a tape recording (yeah, it was a long time ago) of a very elderly cousin recounting stories his grandparents had told him about the Civil War. Not primary source, since it was hearsay, but still wonderful to hear in his very Tidewater accent. Similarly, this lady who remembers her grandmother telling about being raised by Delia Morrell. Good heavens! That was within a generation of Texas independence! When you hear history first or second hand, it adds such depth of understanding about how the people felt and why events happened as they did. SOooo grateful for these very personal accounts!