New church ornament depicts Bethel Primitive Baptist Church
Posted On: Sunday, Dec. 20 2009 06:07 AM
By Jade Ortego
Killeen Daily HeraldThe Bell County Museum features a new church ornament depicting Killeen's Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, which organized in 1864.
The structure is believed to be the oldest church building in Killeen.
The ornament is eighth in a series of ornaments showcasing historic church structures in the county.
"The structure is a recorded Texas historic landmark, and we are proud to showcase a part of Killeen history," said museum director Stephanie Turnham.
Other churches in the series are Salado United Methodist Church, First United Church of Belton, First Baptist Church of Temple, Christ Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church, all in Temple, and St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett.
Bethel Primitive Baptist Church originated in the Palo Alto community, which was located about 3.5 miles northeast of present Killeen. Organized about 1864, the congregation met in a Union church building shared with other denominations. When the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad was built through Bell County in 1882, the town of Killeen grew up along the rail line. The Palo Alto Post Office was discontinued, and the community declined after most of the residents moved to Killeen.
"The church structure is well over 100 years old, and it still stands as a wonderful reminder of the settlement of the early Killeen region. Despite the incredible growth and change to the city, we still see a bit of 'old Killeen' through this simple church building," Turnham said.
"We've brought children out there to see how people lived in the good old days," said Annette Lucksinger, former president and co-founder of the Killeen Area Heritage Association.
The design of the church is characteristic of the early 19th century, and features a steep gable roof, double-door entry with Gothic-inspired window detail, and simple windows with protruding lintels.
"Churches that use a similar frame design, most of them have not survived. But this one did," Lucksinger said.
The church was deeded to KAHA in 1991 when the congregation dwindled down to a few people, she said.
"The Heritage Association thinks history is important. History tells us where we've been," Lucksinger said.
The ornaments are $15 each, but museum members receive a 10 percent discount.
Contact Jade Ortego at
jortego@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7553.