Old Ocean (Bethlehem/Chance’s Prairie)

Brazoria County, TX

Status: Located

Year Established: 1867

Council of Governments: BVCOG

Public History: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/old-ocean-tx

Community History: From St. Mary – Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Website:
Both Bethlehem and St. Mary AME Churches were organized post slavery years in the late 1800’s. The churches were called a circuit because the place of worship alternated every other Sunday. The two churches were known as “Old Ocean Circuit”. St. Mary met on 1st and 3rd Sunday at 2418 FM 524 in Danciger, Texas and Bethlehem on the 2nd and 4th Sunday on State Highway 35 in Old Ocean Texas.

From TSHA Handbook:
Those living on Chance’s Prairie before the Civil War included Sampson Brown, a slave born in Maryland and bought by Joseph McCormick in 1837. After emancipation Brown traveled a circuit in Milam and Fort Bend counties as a teacher and preacher. Prince Monroe, another slave belonging to Joseph McCormick, managed McCormick’s plantation for the better part of twenty years. After the war the post office for Chance’s Prairie was located in the commissary on John Sweeny’s plantation. Chance’s Prairie had a reported population of eighteen in 1880. Around 1906 the area had four schools for black children and employed four teachers; the combined enrollment was 199.

Cemetery: Rainbow Memorial Cemetery

Church: Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal Church