Under this Texas sun stands a testament to faith resilience and history. This is the Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church Plaque. It marks the original site of the oldest African American Baptist church in Dallas County. More than just a plaque it’s a portal to a rich past.
Imagine 1864. A small group of enslaved people met secretly under a large elm tree. They sought solace and community in their shared faith. This was forbidden. The law prohibited enslaved people from gathering without a white person present. Rev Robert Fabius Butler a white minister from Richardson defied those laws. He joined them. He helped them establish their church. They chose the name Mount Pisgah. It’s a powerful name drawing from Deuteronomy 34:1. It symbolized hope for the Promised Land a hope resonating deeply with those living under slavery.
Among those first members were founding deacons John Huffman Dan Howard Sam Fowler William Phifer Tobe Howard and Jack Saunders. Their courage their faith their very existence under these circumstances is humbling. Think about the risks they took. Imagine the quiet strength it required to meet each Sunday.
For 24 years they worshipped in a brush arbor a simple shelter. Then in 1888 a pivotal moment arrived. They bought an acre of land for ten dollars. The land belonged to William and Elvira Wilkerson former slaves. A water well from that time still stands.
Later in 1943 they built a limestone church structure. Men from the church hauled stones from Jacksboro. African American carpenters Lee and Wash Grant helped build the sanctuary. It opened in 1945. This building still stands. It holds another congregation’s services now.
Mount Pisgah moved in 2016 to a larger space in Richardson. Its growth reflects its enduring spirit. But this plaque remembers the origins of The Rock. It reminds us of the struggles the triumphs the unwavering faith of generations. This plaque isn’t merely an inscription. It’s a living legacy. It’s a story of perseverance and hope.