Saint Paul Baptist Church

One of Collin county's oldest black congregations, this church was organized in 1872 by the Rev. Jeff Shirley of Kentucky. Members worshiped beneath a brush arbor before constructing their first church building in 1885 on land purchased from T.E. Shirley. Three years later, Shirley sold them acreage adjacent to Melissa Cemetery for a church burial ground. After the original sanctuary was destroyed by a tornado on April 13, 1921, a new frame building was erected. For over 100 years, this fellowship has held an annual homecoming celebration in May. (1978) Incise on back: Faithful Families Sanders Clayton Thomas Hawkins Perry Thornton Johnson Crockett Frazier Carter Jackson

Saint Paul Baptist Church is a historical marker in Melissa, Collin County, dedicated in 1978. It is one of 193 historical markers documented in Collin County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 345 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.2843, -96.5749 near Melissa. The nearest cataloged historic site is Melissa School (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Scott-Barker House, Melissa Christian Church, and First Baptist Church of Melissa.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5085006198. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.