Rural Shade Baptist Church

At least 14 charter members founded this church in the Tarkington's Prairie community about 1870. Land was deeded in 1878 for a combination Baptist church and Masonic Hall structure. That year a two-story building was erected, with the second floor housing the Masonic Lodge and the church on the first floor. Many early church members were also active in the Lodge. D. D. Forman was a master Mason and the first church pastor from 1874 to 1876 and again in 1882. In the early years pastors were elected from the congregation members. Worship services were held once or twice a month, usually on Saturdays. "Meeting of Days," later called revivals, were held at the church building. In 1908 the Ryan Cemetery was deeded to the Rural Shade Baptist Church by Washington Berry. Located five miles south, the church held ownership to the land until 1989, when it was transferred to the Ryan Cemetery Association. Since its founding, the congregation has continuously supported a variety of Christian programs for its members, as well as outreach mission work in domestic and foreign fields.

Rural Shade Baptist Church is a historical marker in Cleveland, Liberty County, dedicated in 1996. It is one of 60 historical markers documented in Liberty County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 133 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.2927, -94.9769 near Cleveland. The nearest cataloged historic site is Wells' Store, Old (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Burton B. Tarkington, The Schools of Tarkington Prairie, and McGinnis Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5291009684. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.