Union Baptist Church

Earliest Baptist church in Dallas County; organized in a pioneer cabin, May 10, 1846, under leadership of the Rev. David Myers (1797 -1853). Charter members were Franklin Bowles, J. B. and Margaret Ann Lee, Letticia (Mrs. David) Myers, and John Miller Myers. Sarah and Thomas Keenan and Narcissus Wilburn joined soon afterward. The Baptists, aided by other settlers, in 1847 built their first meeting house on land given by Thomas and Sarah Keenan, near Keenan Cemetery (2.4 mi SSW), in present Farmers Branch. The Rev. David Myers, the original pastor, served until his death in 1853. Within a generation, Union Church was relocated in Carrollton, and by 1871 was occupying its third site. In May 1896, at a 3-day semicentennial celebration, a fourth sanctuary was dedicated on A. W. Perry land. The Perry Cemetery (1.3 mi. NNW) marks that site. As town grew toward the railroads, the church had moved by 1911 to Belt Line Road at Myers Street. In time it became the College Avenue Baptist Church. In 1961 present facilities were established, and the name was changed to Highland Baptist Church. From the beginning, Union Church had an important role in community life, with influence not only in sacred but also in secular affairs.

Union Baptist Church is a historical marker in Carrollton, Dallas County, dedicated in 1974. It is one of 348 historical markers documented in Dallas County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 531 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.9638, -96.8970 near Carrollton. The nearest cataloged historic site is Perry Cemetery (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Perry Cemetery, Perry Cemetery, and Hilltop Memorial Park.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5113006907. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.