Old Bethel Church - 2009

Photo taken by Linda A. Foote-Martin 5 Aug 2013 of Historical Marker at Old Bethel Primitive Baptist Church of Christ Cemetery in TX.

"Dedicated in 1994

The Rev. James Madison McCarty (1802-1869) is the First Primitive Baptist Minister known to have served in this area. In 1853 Bethel Primitive Baptist Church of Christ was established as a member of the union association organized by Daniel Parker.

Church services were held one weekend a month. Members of the congregation participated in holy services of communion and foot washings during conference meetings. Singing for the services was performed in the non-instrumental sacred harp method. The Church was the primary religious and social gathering place for the Sandflat Community.

The Oldest documented burial in the Bethel Cemetery is that of the Infant Child of Daniel and Elizabeth Willingham Cook, who died on August 7, 1855. Among those buried in both marked and unmarked graves in the cemetery are Veterans of the Civil War, World War I and World War II.

After the Railroad was built through the county in 1900, bypassing this area in favor of Frankston to the north, the Sandflat Community began to decline. Worship services at Bethel Church ceased in the 1940's. The cemetery remains as a reflection of the area's heritage."

Photo taken by Linda A. Foote-Martin 5 Aug 2013 of Gate to Old Bethel Primitive Baptist Church of Christ Cemetery in Anderson Co, TX.

Photo taken by Linda A. Foote-Martin 5 Aug 2013 of Gate around the Old Bethel Primitive Baptist Church of Christ Cemetery in Anderson Co, TX. Gate shown behind the Church with the historical marker in the front.

Photo from late 50's