DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Macedonia Baptist Church in Williamson County. Now settle in, because this story starts the way the best ones do — not in some grand hall or courthouse, but in a backyard, under an arbor, in the summer heat of 1881. That's where it all began.
At the home of Matilda Lewis, nine families gathered and decided that what this community needed was a church. Nine families. Think about that — the Lewises, the Stevensons, Wiley Cleaveland's people, George Ross, Esaw Beard, Kissiah Jefferson, Anna Akes, Julia Gaines, Emma Moore.
They didn't wait for a building. They didn't wait for the perfect conditions. They pulled together under that backyard arbor and they got to worshiping.
And from that humble shade, Macedonia Baptist Church was born. They called the Reverend Mr. Shivers as their first pastor, and the congregation was off.
Now, a backyard arbor will do fine in the beginning, but folks knew they needed something more permanent. So trustees Robert Lewis, W. Stevenson, and George Ross set out to find the right spot.
They chose this very site. A small frame structure went up, and Macedonia church members used that building until a new one was erected in 1914. And the story didn't stop there — additional facilities were added over the years as the need arose, each one a testament to a congregation that kept growing, kept building, kept showing up.
By 1885, Macedonia had affiliated with the La Grange Baptist District Association, and over the years this church didn't just attend those district meetings — it hosted them, several times over. Many of the association's leaders throughout the years have been members of this very congregation. That's not a footnote.
That's a legacy. The marker calls Macedonia Baptist Church an important part of the religious heritage of Georgetown, and a source of strength and service for the community. Started under a backyard arbor in 1881, still standing, still serving.
Some things, once rooted, just don't let go.
What the marker says
The earliest worship services of this congregation were held in 1881 under a back yard arbor at the home of Matilda Lewis. Nine families, including those of Robert Lewis, W. Stevenson, Wiley Cleaveland, George Ross, Esaw Beard, Kissiah Jefferson, Anna Akes, Julia Gaines, and Emma Moore, were involved with the church’s organization. The congregation called the Rev. Mr. Shivers as its first pastor. When the need for a more permanent church home became evident, trustees Robert Lewis, W. Stevenson, and George Ross selected this site upon which to build a sanctuary. The small frame structure was used by Macedonia church members until a new building was erected in 1914. Additional facilities have been constructed as needed over the years. Affiliated with the La Grange Baptist District Association since 1885, Macedonia Baptist church has hosted district meetings several times. Many of the association’s leaders throughout the years have been members of this congregation. An important part of the religious heritage of Georgetown, the Macedonia Baptist church continues to be a source of strength and service for the community. Texas Sesquicentennial 1936-1986