Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church

In 1854, numerous slaves arrived near Cooks Point, led by A.S. Broaddus on a six-month wagon ride from Virginia. In 1887, many now-emancipated African American families asked Broaddus to help establish their own church. After the purchase of land near Cedar Creek for $6 on Nov. 13, 1888, Jerry Shorter was called as the first pastor, and Bill Waller, Polk Davis, Ephran Jones and Mason Bridges were ordained deacons. A small building was erected, and regular services began joyfully. The church was rebuilt several times and became the center of a community with a school, cemetery and store. The congregation continues to offer worship, fellowship and cultural heritage to the community.

Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church is a historical marker in Cooks Point, Burleson County, dedicated in 2013. It is one of 69 historical markers documented in Burleson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 133 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.6411, -96.6274 near Cooks Point. The nearest cataloged historic site is Goodwill Baptist Church Cemetery (cemetery), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Carr Cemetery, Jones Cemetery, and Salem Baptist Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507017606. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.