Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Milam Churches Date Back to pre-Civil War Era
Milam History by Joy Graham
Rockdale Reporter - April 4, 2013
Milam County was served by circuit riding preachers and elders beginning about 1837,
having received their appointments at the Mississippi Conference before coming to
Texas.
These dedicated preachers endured many trials. They traveled days between appointments
in all types of weather and sometimes without accommodations.
Families usually provided a room with meals.
The first religious service in Cameron was under an arbor built for that purpose. It
was located where Cameron Park Pavilion stands today along Texas 36.
Seats were split logs and the roof was covered with brush and leaves.
In 1850, Cameron became part of a circuit served by John De Vilbliss who was succeeded
by Daniel Morse who lived outside Cameron. It was not until 1885 that Cameron became a
station with preaching every Sunday when John E. Greene became pastor there.
Rev. Z. N. Morrell founded Little River Baptist Church in 1849 in the home of Josiah
Lester, where the church now stands. In those days it was not uncommon for blacks to
join white churches and Cyrus Harlan completed the list of members.
Most churches in those days, like Little River Baptist had two front doors, one for
women and one for the men. Young men would escort their sweethearts to church leading
them to the door for the women, and then enter the men’s door.
Men and women sat on either side of the church as was the custom. After church the
young men met the girls outside at the door.
There was a bench inside the church right in front of the pulpit for deacons and two
benches on on either side of the pulpit for other prominent church members, known as
“Amen Pews.”
The preacher had the only song book. He would read a line of the song, one at a time,
then the congregations would sing the line.
Social life was limited. Young girls rode horseback, or rode in the family wagon, where
their young men escorted them to the church door, then met them after church to escort
them to their horse or wagon.
First Baptist Church in Cameron organized in 1853 by D. Fisher.
maryjoygraham@yahoo.com
.
All credit for this article goes to
Joy Graham
and the
Rockdale Reporter
Joy Graham
and the
Rockdale Reporter