Texas Historical Marker #07542
Paul's Union Church. Established about 1895 by Laura Stewart and Julia Parr Munson, this church is distinguished by a history of strong community involvement. The congregation has been led by various Methodist, Presbyterian, and other Protestant clergy and has served an interdenominational congregation throughout its history. The site of the original church building, destroyed in the 1900 storm, became a cemetery in which many of the storm's victims were buried. Services were held at B. F. Ayers' home until a new structure was built adjacent to the cemetery about 1913. The church incorporated as La Marque Union Protestant Church in 1927. A new sanctuary was completed in 1933 with the help of Mrs. Paul Naschke. Her financial assistance was extended on the condition the church be named after her late husband, a well-known local photographer and contributor to church affairs. The church was renamed Paul's Union Church in 1933. Various community groups, including La Marque's Garden Club and its civic club, used church facilities. Led by a devoted clergy, the church was able to support a missionary to South America, aid victims of the 1947 Texas City disaster, and lead a 1949 anti-gambling crusade in Galveston County. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845 - 1995 #7542
1709 Oak St., La Marque, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00065
Frank Bell, Jr.. (1893-1963) was the son of early La Marque settlers Flavery and Frank Bell, Sr. Although he received little formal education, he was able to achieve business success and became a respected civic leader in La Marque's African American community. Bell served in the U. S. Army during World War I and later was stationed in this area. He retired from the army and began working in the oil industry in Texas City. In 1938 he began a real estate career with the purchase of land in La Marque which he and partner Will Mentor subdivided into residential lots. As a partner in the B A & P Realty Company Bell helped develop a number of residential subdivisions in La Marque's African American communities in the 1940s. Bell gained a reputation for fairness in his real estate dealings and as owner of a neighborhood store and gas station. A behind-the-scenes force in local affairs, he served on Galveston County's Negro Chamber of Commerce and was often referred to as La Marque's unofficial African American mayor. Bell played a vital role in the creation of Carver Park and in obtaining needed funds to enhance the religious, educational, and recreational opportunities for the city's African American community. Sesquicentennial of texas Statehood 1845 - 1995 #65
1111 Bayou Road, La Marque, TX, United States