Redland Baptist Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Way out in the Redland community of Angelina County, a congregation was putting down roots back in 1859. They called themselves Liberty Baptist Church, and they had the kind of quiet, stubborn faith that tends to outlast just about everything else.

For decades, they gathered wherever they could, holding worship services in a local schoolhouse. No grand sanctuary, no steeple catching the morning light. Just folks and their faith and a borrowed room.

That went on until 1924, when the congregation finally built its first sanctuary of their own. Now that was something. But they weren't finished.

They erected a new church building in 1939, and then in 1942, for the first time in their history, they called a full-time pastor. Think about that stretch of time, from a schoolhouse to a real pastor holding the keys. By 1960 the membership had grown enough to demand new facilities, and then in 1976 they raised a larger sanctuary right at this very site.

Oh, and somewhere along the way, back in 1895, the congregation had reorganized and taken on the name they carry to this day. Redland Baptist Church. From a schoolhouse in 1859 to a full sanctuary in 1976, with missionary work reaching well beyond these East Texas pines.

Some things, it turns out, are built to last.

What the marker says

Liberty Baptist Church, established in the Redland community in 1859, became Redland Baptist Church after reorganizing in 1895. Worship services were held in a local schoolhouse until 1924 when the congregation built its first sanctuary. A new church building was erected in 1939, and in 1942 the first full-time pastor was called. Growth in church membership resulted in the construction of new facilities in 1960 and a larger sanctuary at this site in 1976. Redland Baptist serves the community with a variety of programs and supports a wide range of missionary work. (1994)