Cottonwood Baptist Church

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, here's the story of Cottonwood Baptist Church, out in Kaufman County. Back in 1880, a congregation took shape, and the man who stepped up to lead it first was the Reverend A. M.

K. Sowell. Now that's a name that carries some weight, and so did the responsibility, because this community was starting from nothing but faith and flat Texas land.

The earliest worship services were held in a log building, the kind of structure that doesn't apologize for what it is: solid, simple, and built to last. The land underneath it had been donated for community use by two men: C. L.

Tippett and J. W. Swayze.

Two names, one generous act, and a congregation with a place to gather. But here's the thing about that log building; the Baptists didn't have it to themselves. They shared it with other area congregations and with the Cottonwood School.

Same walls, different purposes, which is about as practical as Texans get. Then, in 1903, a new structure was completed, and the church moved right along with the school when that happened. Roots, but not rigid ones.

By 1916, the congregation had built the present sanctuary, and if you're keeping track, the land it sits on was once again deeded by Tippett. That same name, coming back around. Some folks just quietly hold a community together like that.

And then there's 1936, when homecoming activities began, a tradition that has carried on every June since. Year after year, people making the trip back to this stretch of Kaufman County to remember where they come from. Started in 1880 with a log building and a borrowed piece of land.

Still standing, still gathering, every June.

What the marker says

The Rev. A. M. K. Sowell served as the first pastor for this congregation, organized in 1880. Worship services were held in a log building constructed on land donated for community use by C. L. Tippett and J. W. Swayze. Members shared the facility with other area congregations and the Cottonwood School. The church moved with the school when a new structure was completed in 1903. The present sanctuary, built in 1916, is also located on property deeded by Tippett. Homecoming activities, which were begun in 1936, are held here each June.