Historical Marker

Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church

Historical marker location:
2830 Pine Street, Beaumont, Texas
( On the church grounds at 2830 Pine Street)
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42"

This historic congregation began in November 1890 with a group of Christians holding services in a schoolhouse. Worship extended to prayer meetings held in various homes. Eventually the congregation purchased land at the corner of Pine and Prince Streets and established Evergreen Baptist Church with Rev. Dickerson called as the first pastor. In 1900, under Rev. Jack Rhone, the name was changed to Magnolia Baptist Church. Property for the current location was purchased in 1925 during the term of Rev. Jim Alford. Rev. Rhone served for a second term, during which the first sanctuary was completed. Rev. Ed Cannon, Rev. C. B. Baily, and Rev. D. C. Coney followed as pastors. Under Rev. Coney, a new education building was dedicated on December 4, 1965. As church membership continued to grow, a new sanctuary was completed and dedicated on September 6, 1981. The church’s name was changed to Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church on April 30, 1995. The current sanctuary was dedicated on May 15, 2011.

Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church has supported missionary enterprises, home mission, Christian education and foreign missions. Through these efforts, the church has impacted its community, state, and nation, as well as reaching Haiti and Africa. The church supports local missions through its giving recovering addicts/others a changed environment, feeding the homeless, local nursing homes, prayer and family ministries. Since its inception, Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church of Beaumont has been a light and beacon for all. The church’s motto, based on 1 Corinthians 2:2, is “Jesus Christ only, always.”

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

Baptist denomination churches religion
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
Texas random facts
Jefferson County, Texas, has a rich history that spans back several centuries. It is home to the indigenous tribes who had lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers reached the area and claimed it as part of New Spain. However, it was not until the early 19th century that the region began to see significant settlement.

In the early 1820s, Empresario Joseph Vehlein obtained a contract to settle 300 families in the region. The land, once inhabited by the Atakapa people, soon attracted settlers of various origins, including Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans. The area became known for its fertile soil, offering ideal conditions for agriculture and ranching.

The city of Beaumont was established in the mid-19th century and quickly developed into a major trading and shipping center due to its access to the Neches River and the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 marked a turning point in the county's history, as the region experienced a significant oil boom. This brought great prosperity and transformed the area's economy, leading to the development of the petrochemical industry in the following decades.

Throughout the 20th century, Jefferson County witnessed various social and economic changes. It played a key role in World War II, serving as the location for significant military activity, including the establishment of one of the largest military shipbuilding centers in the country. The county also experienced desegregation struggles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, which eventually led to greater equality.

Today, Jefferson County continues to be an important industrial center for petrochemicals and petroleum-related industries. It is also home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Jefferson County, Texas.

  • 1836: Jefferson County is established as a municipality of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838: The town of Beaumont is founded.
  • 1840: Jefferson County becomes part of the newly-formed State of Texas.
  • 1845: Texas is admitted to the United States, and Jefferson County becomes a county within the state.
  • 1858: A railroad is completed, connecting Beaumont to surrounding areas.
  • 1865: The Civil War ends, and Jefferson County begins to recover from the war's impact.
  • 1881: The Spindletop oil field, the first major oil discovery in Texas, is found in Jefferson County.
  • 1901: The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop oil field erupts, launching the Texas oil boom.
  • 1925: The Neches River is first navigable by deep-draft vessels, boosting the county's shipping industry.
  • 1943: The Port of Beaumont is established as a major center for the shipping and petrochemical industries.
  • 1989: Hurricane Gilbert strikes Jefferson County, causing significant damage to the area.
  • 2005: Hurricane Rita makes landfall in Jefferson County, leading to widespread devastation.
  • 2017: Hurricane Harvey causes widespread flooding in Jefferson County.