Little River
Cemetery Association
Little River Cemetery Foundation
Jones Prairie, Milam County,
Texas
The Little River Baptist Church and Cemetery, near Jones Prairie, celebrated its 150th Anniversary in June 1999. A replica of a light house has been erected on the church grounds to make note of the fact that the church has been called "THE LIGHT HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE." A state historical marker stands at the edge of the entrance drive. Many family members of the area are buried here. The cemetery is well maintained by the Little River Cemetery Association and Little River Cemetery Foundation. There is a meeting of the Foundation and Association members each August at the Church on the Sunday before Labor Day.
2009 Meetings: The 86th annual meeting of the Association and the 41st annual meeting of the Foundation will be on Sunday 6 September 2009 at the Little River Baptist Church. There will be a worship service, great food, fellowship and visits with family and friends. The business meeting of the Association will immediately follow the 10:00am worship service. After lunch, the Foundation will meet at 1:30pm in the Church.
Contact: Little River Cemetery Association, 462 CR 267, Cameron, TX 76520.
Directions to the Little River Cemetery, Jones Prairie, Milam County, Texas
North of Cameron on U.S. Hwy. 77, about five miles, right onto Farm Market Road 485.
Continue east for about five miles, turn left onto Farm Market Road 979 and
drive about 3 and one-half miles, church and cemetery are on the right.
Click thumbnails to enlarge some views in the cemetery.
A Brief History of Little River Church
The Little River Baptist Church was established when settlers gathered in the home of Josiah and Seleta Lester on the Saturday before the first Sunday of July 1849. Z. N. Morrell was named the first pastor. The church was to become the center of social, as well as, religious, life in the community.
In the late 1850's, Mrs. Z. N. Morrell gave several acres of land to the church. Following the Civil War, a building committee was formed. Church members constructed the building when they could find time from their farm work. The Masonic Lodge of the community participated in the building program and in 1873, thirty-fours years after its founding, the church occupied a new building. Later that year, the cemetery was established.
That building served the congregation and community for many years. In 1895, the church had the largest congregation in the county. It was evident that a larger building was needed so a building committee had been formed by the end of 1906.
In February 1907 the proposed building was described as "a frame building, 34 X 56 X 16 foot walls, nine windows, Gothic style, five on one side, four on the other. Three doors, two in end and one in the side. An elevated circular pulpit with arch above and windows in rear, one large and two small..." The new building was first used for services in December 1907.
Through several decades, various improvements include a cooling system, drinking facilities, concrete porch and steps, indoor restrooms and improved parking. In 1971, a historical marker for the church and cemetery was erected on the grounds.
(This history is based on information in a booklet printed for the 150th anniversary celebration of the Little River Baptist Church.)
Click here for an aerial photograph
at MSN Encarta Learning Zone TerraServer
which provides the image courtesy of the US Geological Survey
Click here for GOOGLE MAPS satellite view
Little River Cemetery Records (partial) from Roots Web:
by Mrs. John T. Martin (nee: Evelyn Curtsinger)
Part 1 and
Part 2
Visit the
Little River Cemetery section of Find A Grave
where over 400 inscriptions are recorded, often with a photograph
and further details.
Please visit Milam County. A TXGenWeb Project and its
Little River Cemetery - Jones Prairie pageThe Handbook of Texas: History of Jones Prairie
Send comments to Charles C. Chaney
Last updated 17 August 2009
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