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Williamson, Mrs. Lena E. (942-S) b-Oct.4,1892 d-May 19,1920
"Daughter of J.W.& Livia Green, Married W.A.Williamson on Dec.12,1909"
My maternal Grandmother (RA Anderson, son of Christine Lena Williamson, born April 1920)


Bays Chapel Cemetary

BAY, Andrew F. Will dated 11 Mar 1878; Will proven 22 Jul 1878; Died 25 Apr 1878. Ref: BB 4:59.

BAY, James H. Died 27 Jan 1884. Ref: BB 4:97.

BAY, Sarah C. Died Nov 1883. Ref: BB 4:97.

BAY, Thomas Died 14 Feb 1861. Ref: BB 3:59.

Bays Chapel Cemetery. Marker: "28 Jan 1793 - 14 Feb 1861 lst. Cpl Col Higgins Regt. MTD War of 1812." Ref: Cem 4:70.

BAY, W. Harrison Will dated 17 Dec 1895;Will proven 20 May 1898;Died 10 Sep 1897. Ref: BB 5:91.
Bays Chapel United Methodist Church
29974 Bay's Chapel Rd., Richards, TX 77873

Aug. 22, 2004!
In the fall of 1850, Thomas Bay and his wife Mary left Haywood County, Tennessee en route to Texas. With them were their eight children and their families: William Harrison and wife Cynthia, Andrew Foster and wife Elizabeth, Jane Bay Williamson and her husband, Bob, James Henry, Rebecca, Joseph, Sallie, and Thomas Boen. Also a son-in-law, Mr. Duckworth and his three children. His wife Cynthia had died in Tennessee. They came in covered wagons and after about three months on the road they arrived in Montgomery County, Texas, about Christmas time. These families bought and settled on the J.H. Collard headright, a tract of land consisting of several thousands of acreage in upper Montgomery County.

Immediately they began building their homes of hewn logs. After their homes were built, another structure was erected, also of hewn logs, that would serve the dual purpose of church and school. Since there was no other church or school available to these people, this building became known as the Bay's Chapel Church and School. According to the first church register there were six members who joined the church by letter in 1851. In 1853 Mr. John Neason joined by profession and several others joined in 1854. The church grew steadily as other families moved in to the community. Some of these earlier families were the Williamsons, Neasons, Hokes, Sims, Keislers, Edwards, Leonards, Satchers, Harmons, Olihants, Hendricks, Coopers, Gartmans, Welchs, Thomas', Worshams, Johnsons, Caldwells, and others are named in the church registers.

This first church, located on a two acre tract given by Andrew F. Bay and his wife Elizabeth was across the road from the present church site. It continued to be used as church and school until the early seventies when a new frame building was erected on the same two acres as the log church. This new and larger building was necessary to accommodate the increasing population of the community. It too, served as both church and school. There were not many ministers to serve the vast expanse of Texas, and from earlier history it is believed that Bay's Chapel was on the Montgomery-Danville Circuit since the Prairie Plains was not organized until later. Some of the earlier ministers who served Bay's Chapel were A.B.F. Kerr, Calvin Brooks, T.B. Buckingham, C.L. Farrington, and G.S. (Doc) Sandel.

The first schools of this community were pay schools and until about 1894 were two-month per year terms. Some of the earlier teachers were Miss Sue Mooring, Miss Jennie Sandel, Mr. James Harmon, Mr. Nathan Pace, Mrs. J.W. Farris, Mr. Efford Rhodes, Mr. John Hoke, Miss Alice Farris and Miss Stapp. Land for a cemetary was given by Thomas Bay. This plot was located about a mile from the church and school. The first person buried there was a child of Jane Bay Williamson in 1852. It is interesting to note that the parents, Thomas Bay and wife, and seven of the children along with their husbands or wives and over the years many, many grandchildren were buried in this cemetery. Sallie Bay Sandel and husband had moved to the Mary's Chapel Community.

Later, when the Prairie Plains Circuit was organized it was composed of Bay's Chapel, Farris Chapel, Mary's Chapel and Oak Grove, now Crabb's Prairie. A parsonage was needed for the circuit and in 1891 Rev. J.R. Murray, Pastor in Charge, called a meeting of the officials of the churches in the circuit to decide on a location. Bay's Chapel was selected as the site. Feeling that the two acres were too small for the church and parsonage, William Harrison Bay gave five acres of land where the present church is located. The Building committee appointed by Rev. Murray were J.H. Bay, D.E. Keisler, and T.W. Hoke. The parsonage was built by free labor from the several churches, with Mr. Pierce Harmon the paid contractor. It was completed in 1892 and used as a parsonage until 1913. During these twenty-one years, fourteen ministers lived there. These were, Reverends J.R. Murray, J.C. Moore, J.A. Grimes, H.T. Hart, J.C. Huddleston, T.R. Cain, G.W. Henderson, A.J. Frick, and Eugene Binford.

In 1898, when Rev. Joseph C. Moore was pastor of the circuit, it was decided that due to the continued growth of the membership that a larger church was needed at Bay's Chapel. Rev. Moore appointed the following to serve on the building committee: James Henry Bay, J. Thomas Keisler, Thomas W. Hoke, and Rev. Gideon Powledge, a superannuated Methodist minister, who had located in the community. Mr. Hep Francklow was hired as the building contractor. All other labor was free, given by all able and willing workers of the community. The church was finished in August of 1899. Rev. Joe Mickle, P.E., delivered the dedication sermon to one of the largest crowds ever assembled at the church. It is felt that Mrs. J.C. Moore, wife of the pastor of the circuit, best expressed the building of the church. (From the Christian Advocate, a weekly Methodist magazine, dated August 24, 1899.)

"August 11. Our meeting began at Bay's Chapel. The people had been looking forward to the time with much interest. More than one year ago they went into the pine woods and cut the timber. Bro. Tom Keisler furnished teams and did the sawing free of charge, with the members helping him. The building committee, consisting of Bros. Keisler, Bay, Powledge, and Hoke, employed a good mechanic by the day. They and others began and worked on the church until there was all gone, then applied for and received $100.00 from the Church Extension Board, and by hard work raised some $55.00 or $60.00 and in June resumed work. By August 11, the church had been completed, painted and well seated and lighted. Had it not been for the willingness of the people to work and the kindness of Bro. Keisler, with the desire of all concerned for a house of worship, we could not have the house we now have. It was valued at $1,500.00. The pastor, Rev. J.C. Moore presented the people with a nice pulpit, and made a full hand at worked on the church. Sunday the 13th, the crowd began to arrive early and by 11:00 o'clock perhaps the largest crowd ever to assemble here had gathered. At the beginning of the service, our beloved Presiding Elder, Bro. Joe Mickle, baptized eight babies. He then preached a great sermon, after which he dedicated the house to the worship of God. Then came the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, administered by Bro. G.S. Sandel. It was truly a great day in the history of Bay's Chapel."

As previously stated, the pulpit was given by Rev. Moore. The beautiful railing and pulpit stand were hand carved by him. In the research of this church history, it was interesting to learn that the benches were made from especially selected giant pine trees given by Mrs. Sarah Gilmore Thomas, and the benches were made under the supervision of Mr. Tom Keisler. Since the completion of the church in 1899 many Methodist ministers have served the church continuously up to the present time. There are now eleven active members of the church, and services are held the second Sunday afternoon of each month. It is now pastored by the minister from the Richards Station, Rev. Roland P. Samford.

In addition to the regular second Sunday afternoon services, there is an annual homecoming the fourth Sunday of August. The Homecomings are very special for many people return to their old Church. There is preaching in the morning along with a Memorial Service. Following the services, long tables are set up outside under the large oak trees and delicious food spread on them. In the afternoon many visit the well kept cemetery, others gather in the church for several hours of singing, while many spend the time visiting and reminiscing of olden days. In this brief history it was not possible to mention all who had a part in the building of this church and community. But without a doubt there is not one among us who can look at the ceiling and walls of this old church without being able to see the fingerprints of their beloved and devoted ancestors whose utmost desire was to build a good Christian community.

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