Pine Grove Church Restoration

The old Pine Grove church house, not used by an active congregation in nearly 120 years, is the oldest church building in Rusk County. While inactive as a church for over a century the impact of this old church building can still be felt throughout the community.

 

The old church house was built circa 1870, but the congregation itself was established around 1850. The Patrick settlement, southeast of Pine Grove, originated in 1854 when three Patrick brothers led a wagon train of Scotch-Irish Cumberland Presbyterians to Texas from Bethel, York County, South Carolina. These Patricks and several allied families traveling with them stopped to rest at the church site of Pine Grove Presbyterian Church in Rusk County. The church community and piney woods so appealed to the Carolinians that they remained there instead of settling further west as they had originally planned. In December 1854 Archibald Watkins, minister at the Pine Grove Church and first chief justice of Rusk County, sold John T. C. Patrick 335 acres on the Shreveport-Douglass Road. These families started another church in 1880, on a three-acre tract donated for a church and school, originally called Pleasant Springs.

 

The predominantly African-American Pine Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church is presumably a daughter congregation, as are other Cumberland Presbyterian churches in the vicinity.

 

It is used annually for the Pine Grove Cemetery homecoming and Rusk County Singing Convention, both held on the fourth weekend in April. The Pine Grove Church has a long-standing connection to Sacred Harp singing. The Sacred Harp book was even used in church services, and has provided the singing in conjunction with the cemetery day homecoming.

 

The Pine Grove State Historical Marker Text (1966):

Pine Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized about 1850, with the Rev. Archibald Watkins (d. 1880) playing an instrumental role in its early years. The fellowship first met in a small log cabin near Martin’s Creek. This building was constructed about 1870, and was used for worship services until the congregation disbanded in 1906. It is now a part of Pine Grove’s heritage and is the scene of an annual homecoming. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.

 

The elements and time have not been kind to the old structure, which is in grave need of repairs. Lack of funds has hindered any work beyond the most required attention. Windows and shutters, eaves, doors, and floor all need some repair. Will you help to preserve this historic treasure? Donations may be made through GoFundMe or mailed to:

 

East Texas Shapenote Music Association

P.O. Box 2181

Henderson, TX 75653-2181

If sending a check, please designate funds are for "Pine Grove church restoration".