Texas Historical Marker #01686
First Baptist Church of Zephyr. The organizational meeting for this congregation was held at the home of John J. Driskill in 1886. The twelve charter members were first led by Pastor J. B. Greenfield, who served only one month, and then by J. A. Jarrett. The Baptist fellowship erected its first sanctuary in 1892. Members rebuilt their church home following the devastating tornado of 1909. During its early history, First Baptist Church of Zephyr held revivals under the Zephyr Gospel tabernacle. Descendants of many of the early members still worship here. (1985) #1686
?, Zephyr, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05949
Zephyr Gospel Tabernacle. In 1898 John N. Coffey (1847-1919) and John Schwalm (1825-1900) deeded this site for a community tabernacle. Townspeople donated labor and material to erect this open air shelter and to rebuild it after damage from a 1909 cyclone that devastated Zephyr. Many towns in Texas once had tabernacles like this for summer church revivals, political rallies, and social events. The Zephyr Home Demonstration Club led community restoration of this structure in 1976. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1976 #5949
?, Zephyr, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05951
Zephyr Presbyterian Church. The congregation of the Zephyr Presbyterian Church traces its history to 1890. In 1909 members of the church and community volunteers, with the assistance of Swiss stonemason John Chailette completed a church building. Worship services were held twice a month by a minister shared with the nearby Blanket Presbyterian Church. Sunday School classes, summer Bible school, and ice cream suppers sponsored by the church contributed to the social and religious life of the community until 1944, when the church was disbanded. In 1948 the building became a community center. (1992) Text of supplemental plate: In 1948 this building was donated by C. R. Boase to become a community center for the benefit and pleasure of its citizens. #5951
?, Zephyr, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05948
Zephyr Cemetery. The unincorporated town of Zephyr, located on land granted to early settlers Benjamin Head and Felix Wardziski, was established in the 1860s. As the settlement grew, a school was opened in the 1870s, and churches and businesses were established. Mail was delivered weekly from Brownwood. This cemetery has served the residents of Zephyr and the surrounding area since the 1870s. The earliest known burials in the graveyard are those of three children of the Staggs family, who died in 1878 and 1879. Another early grave is that of Ann Catherine Sewell Ward (1843-1879). The first official deed of cemetery property took place in 1899, although it was in use prior to that time. Subsequent land acquisitions have increased the size of the graveyard to more than seven acres. Among those buried here are thirty-three victims of the devastating tornado of May 29, 1909, which almost completely destroyed the town, and veterans of six wars: the Mexican War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The Zephyr Cemetery stands as a reminder of the pioneer spirit of the area's early settlers. It is maintained by the Zephyr Cemetery Association. (1988) #5948
?, Zephyr, TX, United States