Bascom (Peach Creek, Peach Tree, Bascom Lake, Brasco Lake)

Gonzales County, TX

Status: Located

Year Established: 1867

Council of Governments: GCRPC

Public History: Excerpt from Black Churches in Texas: a guide to historic congregations by Clyde McQueen – “founded in 1867 by rev. Boyd James in the Peach Tree Community. A circuit-riding preacher, he also organized Mount Eden Missionary Baptist Church in 1883. The records show that Saint James is the oldest black baptist church in Gonzales County. It is referred to as the “Mother Church” of black Baptist churches in the county. The congregation conducted worship services under a brush arbor by this congregation until a permanent building was constructed. The present pastor, Ernest Barnes, is a descendant of the founders of Mount Eden Missionary Baptist Church.” (Source: Mildred Clack Houston, interview by McQueen, May 9, 1993.)

“On the green banks of Gonzales County’s Peach Creek, 150 years ago, in what is now known as Little New York, Bascom Lake Church was founded. The church, now known as St. James Missionary Baptist Church was founded by Reverend Boyd James in 1867. For 12 years Rev. James conducted primitive services under a brush arbor, until a former slaveowner gave the community money for two acres of land and a school house. The school is no longer standing and the church is housed in a building erected in 1962.” The Gonzales Inquirer, 2017.

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Cemetery: St. James Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery

Church: Saint James