 The Pilot Grove Presbyterian
Church was organized in 1853. In 1862 the name of the church was
changed from
"Pilot Grove" to "Canaan."
Shortly afterwards it appears that the congregation divided with all residents north of Bois d'Arc Creek going to Canaan and all those south of the creek forming a group that became known as Sears Chapel, housed in a log cabin on the County Line Road, located on land owned by Kit Sears, situated about one-half mile north of where the County Line Road crosses Hwy 11, southeast of Whitewright. There is no record of the Sears Chapel congregation from 1862 until 1873 when they met at William Pennington's home with F.S. Fuqua as moderator. Elders Wilson, Alfred Medlin, W.M. Pennington and Heck Hamilton were present. Mr. Medlin was elected to represent the Church at Presbytery and was instructed to ask for the services of Rev. R.F. Jones as pastor. Rev. Jones, also known as "Uncle Bob" accepted the call and served the church for 20 years (1873-1893). During this time the M K & T railroad was built from Denison to Greenville, resulting in the establishment of a new town known as Whitewright, named for a New York capitalist interested in the railroad. The town was laid out and incorporated in 1878. Most of the businessmen of Kentuckytown, Pilot Grove and Orangeville moved to the new town. Sears Chapel Church moved into the village of Whitewright in the spring of 1883, located on what is now the corner of Sears and Maple streets, then to a new location on Grand Avenue about 1888 on the site of the John McMurray home, and then to its present location on Walnut and Blanton streets, changing its name to "Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Whitewright." Sources: The Whitewright Sun, Thursday, November 19, 1953, pgs. 1,8 The Whitewright Sun, Thursday, August 9, 1956, pg. 1 Churches Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |