Some history of St. Eli Baptist Church in Manchaca, Texas explored.

St. Eli Baptist Church is one of the many forgotten churches of Manchaca and Travis County. Not too much history is known about this church. Sadly hardly any information can be discovered online or offline.

St. Eli Baptist Church was built possibly in the 1880s at a location adjacent to Manchaca Negro School. Exactly when is unknown. This church served African Americans of Manchaca for over 80 years before shutting down sometime in the 20th century. (Ref: I’m Proud to Know What I Know”: Oral Narratives of Life in Travis and Hays Counties, Texas, c. 1920s-1960s, Maria Franklin)

Morning service was held on Sundays each week. Baptisms were performed in this church. Other services were provided as well. (Ref: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/72740124.pdf)

Families would bring baskets of dinner. In between the morning service and the evening service, they would spread dinner. They had a long table and each family would bring their dinner. Everybody would eat together. (Ref: Franklin 2012:611)

Today St. Eli Baptist Church is long gone and is no longer extant.