Texas Historical Marker #08119
South Texas Baptist College. An ambitious institution chartered by Baptists who formed South Texas Educational Conference about 1895 and in 1898 secured campus site from a local landowner, C.C. Waller. Trustees serving when college opened in fall of 1898 were J.C. McGaughy, Hempsted; James F. Duncan, Houston; C.W. Matthews, Montgomery; W.J. Durham, Richmond; S.A. McCall, Willis; J.E. Boulet, E.J. Matthews, J.L. Miles, and J.T. Sanders of Waller. W.E. Clark, A.M. Georgetown College of Kentucky, was president; Matilda Shannon (Mrs. W.E.) Clark, the college matron; misses Annie Black and Bellie James, Teachers; Thomas Shannon, secretary. The first session opened with three students, closed with 33; Second opened with 15, closed with 102. Courses of study covered primary through college subjects; Tuition ranged form $10 to $20 a term. The third session opened on Monday, Sept. 3, 1900. On the night of Sept. 8-9, the great 1900 storm blew in from Galveston. It severely damaged the college building, wrecked several churches, and demolished the public school. Although no lives were lost in this town, damage throughout the section was so great that the college never reopened. Its campus has served since 1916 as a public school site. #8119
Waller and Smith Streets, Waller, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08107
Reid's Prairie Baptist Church. Organized Aug 24, 1890 with 17 members. Sanctuary built, 1895 on Navasota Stage Road. #8107
?, Waller, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08124
Waller. Extension of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad here about 1857 provided the means for a growing number of settlers in this area to market their farm and ranch products. The town was platted by K.H. Faulkner in 1884 and named Waller for the signer of Texas' Declaration of Independence and Waller County judge Edwin Waller. The village soon boasted a post office , general store, and school, Telephone service arrived in 1912, gas and electric utilities in 1928, and in 1947 the town was incorporated. Waller's steady growth has been sustained by its farm and ranch industry. #8124
1118 Farr Street, Waller, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #09397
Macedonia Methodist Church. Organized in 1892 by the Rev. W. C. Bracewell, circuit rider. Early services were held in McPherson School. In 1893 first church was built, by men of community. Bill Page donated land. The present structure was erected in 1946, using same plan as 1893 church. #9397
12 mi. NE on Macedonia Rd., Waller, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11712
First United Methodist Church of Waller. The Waller Methodist Episcopal Church, South, traces its history to 1888, the year it was first mentioned in regional Methodist conference records. Early members included Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Brown, Lawton M. and Sallie Bouknight and Simeon P. and Sarah J. White with their daughters, Grace and Carrie. Church trustees John Whitaker and Cary Mason purchased land in anticipation of the construction of a Methodist church building, but none was ever erected on that site. The congregation met in Waller School at Pine and Cherry streets and a Methodist Sunday School was led by Grace and Carrie White in the Baptist church facility. The Methodist church's first building was completed in 1906 at the corner of Farr and Bois d'Arc streets, but it was destroyed by a tornado two years later. It was rebuilt at the same location in 1909. Ella King and three other church women organized a women's society in 1911. The church building was devastated by another tornado in 1917, and a new building was erected at the corner of Smith and Cherry streets in 1920. From 1920 to 1940 the Methodists alternated church services with Waller Baptists. Each congregation was served twice a month by circuit riding ministers. In 1940 each church began to hold services every Sunday. The 1920 church building was sold and moved in 1961. A modern facility was erected that year, and its debt was paid by 1975. First United Methodist Church of Waller continues in the traditions of its founders with programs of worship and service such as the Ministerial Alliance, an ecumenical group dedicated to aiding community members in need. (2000) #11712
1218 Smith St., Waller, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08111
Site of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Cemetery. The first of many Czech immigrants to settle this area purchased from Galveston developer E.H. Fordtran in 1891. Four Czech families founded St. Mary's Catholic Church in 1892. The first recorded burial here, on land donated by Frank Divin, Sr., was that of Antone Blinka in 1893. The Rev. A. Laska established the site as a Catholic cemetery and in 1895 the church built a sanctuary on four adjoining acres. The community faltered after the devastating storm of 1900. The church closed in 1947. St. Martin de Parres Church in Prairie View took over the cemetery's care in 1977. #8111
?, Waller, TX, United States