Woodbury Missionary Baptist Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll pass it along just the same. Out here in Hill County, there's a church with roots that go back to September 28, 1871. That's when Elder Samuel Lacy organized the Woodbury Missionary Baptist Church, with Elder S.

E. Brooks right there alongside him to help get it done. Two men, one purpose, and a congregation waiting to be born.

Now think about who answered that call. The Bigham family. The Brooks family.

The Ezell, Posey, and Reed families. The Rozells, the Skinners, the Stearneses, the Wittys. These were the early members, the ones who showed up and said yes, this is ours, we're buildin' something here.

And build they did. The Sunday School came together in 1902, another generation finding its footing in that same faith. Then in 1933, they raised the building that still stands as the present home of this congregation.

From a gathering in 1871 to a Sunday School, to walls and a roof that have held through decades of Hill County weather and Hill County life. Some foundations, you just don't shake.

What the marker says

Organized Sept. 28, 1871, by Elder Samuel Lacy, assisted by Elder S. E. Brooks. Early members came from the Bigham, Brooks, Ezell, Posey, Reed, Rozell, Skinner, Stearnes, and Witty families. Sunday School was organized in 1902. Present building was erected 1933.