Red Oak

Gregg County, TX

Status: Located

Year Established: Unknown

Council of Governments: ETCOG

Public History: A community known as Rollins may also be associated with the land where Red Oak Baptist is located: “The Red Oak Baptist Church was founded in the 1870s by a small band of Christians as a symbol of God’s saving grace, his mighty power, & everlasting love. The name was originally Red Oak Grove Baptist Church. No written records of the first church were preserved. Still, we know from oral histories that Sallie Rollins donated land for the original building which was located southeast of Eastman Road, formerly the Sowell’s homestead, near the Harrison Gregg home site. The church survived & grew under the leadership of 18 pastors. Reverend M. J. Walker was the 4th pastor & also taught in the community’s public schools. Butler College in Tyler, Texas, was named for the 5th pastor, Reverend C. M. Butler. Reverend H. C. Alexander, the 6th pastor, was Moderator of the Kilgore District Board, an East Texas Baptist Church Association auxiliary. In 1929, under the 11th pastor, Reverend J. J. Finley, the church was destroyed by fire. Either Rollins School or the Hall of the Knights & Daughters of Tabor was used as a place to worship until the church could be rebuilt. In 1932, the church’s site was purchased from the estate of Anna Rollins Jacobs and C. B. Jacobs. A storm destroyed the church after its completion. The Old Knights and Daughters of Tabor building’s walls were given to help rebuild. When Reverend J. E. Johnson began his ministry in 1944, the building was a wooden structure propped up on one side. Under his leadership, the church was bricked, the baptismal pool was moved inside, and new classrooms were added. In 1967, Reverend Brown added an educational wing, dining facility & ladies’ lounge. A Hammond Organ, Grand Piano, & public address system were purchased. In 2001, a groundbreaking was held to add a 6,500 sq. ft. Educational Complex & a 13,000 sq. ft. Family Life Center with a basketball court, showers, weight room, office, and Kitchenette. The youth buried a Time Capsule on the 130th Church Anniversary to be retrieved on the 150th Anniversary.

Community History: There are no current community descriptions of Red Oak. Please consider sharing your own knowledge of the community with us.

Church: Red Oak Missionary Baptist Church