Onion Creek Baptist Church is one of the forgotten churches of Austin, Texas. Only so much history regarding this church has been documented offline and online. This news article will explain history behind Onion Creek Baptist Church. The church was organized as Onion Creek Baptist Church in July 1857 and church moved to its present location in 1957 where it still operates today.
The history of Onion Creek Baptist Church dates back to the early 1850s. Onion Creek Baptist Church was first established as Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church on land owned by Adella Allen and her husband F. M. Allen along Emma Stedman and her husband N. A. Stedman (railroad commissioner Nathan A. Stedman) in the year of 1856. Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church was constructed and established on 1 acre of land. (Ref: Travis County Public Records, Volume 216, Pages 116-118)
Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church was organized and chartered in 1857 with the Rev. M. T. Capeton as minister. The church has had five locations within the vicinity of Burleson Road in Southeast Austin. The church was later reorganized at the old Devotion School near Jones Crossing. Then moved into the old Cloud School. Eventually the church moved back to the site near Bergstrom Air Force Base above Moore’s Crossing. (Ref: Austin American, Page 6, Wednesday, August 7, 1957)
Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church was located on a highway road called Del Valle and Creedmoor Road that was once the precursor to US 183. Onion Creek Baptist Church was the third Baptist church established in Travis County. This church served Southeast Austin, Montopolis, Moore’s Crossing, and Del Valle much of the 19th century & 20th century.
The congregation met at various locations along the creek behind Bergstrom Air Force Base. Revival service was held on Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Attendance rate for this church was always very high. “Onion Creek Church, Austin, was one of four churches of the district setting a 100 per cent attendance record, a record which is unequalled in the state.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/366680060/)
G.W. Stewart was pastor of Onion Creek Baptist Church in the year 1900. Brother R.C. McCullough was a visiting preacher. Pastor G.W. Stewart and Brother R.C. McCullough baptized many people. Baptismal services for Onion Creek Baptist Church were conducted in the beautiful running water of Onion Creek located at Moore's Crossing. (Ref: Austin Statesman, Page 9, Sunday, July 22, 1923)
Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church (Onion Creek Baptist Church) was noted as being located within the center line of Del Valle and Creedmoor Road by October 24, 1906. (Ref: Travis County Public Records, Volume 216, Page 116)
Zillow.com lists this church property of having a building built in 1935. So this must have meant an additional building was constructed in 1935. Additions, renovations, and modifications were made to this church building overtime as the years went along. (Ref: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8500-Burleson-Rd-Del-Valle-TX-78719/83816945_zpid/)
1936 was when a new building was erected. An educational building and parsonage were added in 1947. Additions and renovations were made to these buildings as well. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/359862262/)
Onion Creek Baptist Church ended their religious training classes in 1939. 82 people were enrolled in these classes when training was discontinued. (Ref: Austin American, Page 2, Saturday, June 24, 1939)
“Onion Creek Church Ends Training Class The Onion Creek Baptist church Friday night brought to a close a combined Sunday school and B.T.U. training institute, in which 82 enrolled. The teaching faculty consisted of the Rev. L. W. Skinner, pastor, general director; Mrs. Oakley Davis, primary teacher; Olin Miles, junior: Mrs. Olin Miles, intermediate; Mrs. Ethel J. Roe.”
The Austin American-Statesman reported that Onion Creek Baptist Church was being moved to a new site being located feet away from the landing strips. (Ref: Austin American, Page 7, Sunday, May 24, 1942)
“Preliminary Work on Del Valle Air Base Progresses That section of Del Valle lying between the Bastrop and Lockhart Highways from Del Valle to Colorado School southeast of Austin during the past week was being transformed from a quiet rural community into a future scene of activity as 2.730 acres of land in that neighborhood was bring prepared for the air observation of the army air corps. All houses, barns and other war department was given possession recently in a federal court order were being cleared from the site. Some of the buildings are being razed, while others which are of future value are being moved to new locations.
The gin at Del Valle was being dismantled at the week-end and will be moved to a new location north of Del Valle on the new Del Valle Road running between Del Valle and the new Bastrop highway. Buildings on the tract to which the way or U. S. 290. Two churches within the tract Shapard Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal South denomination and the Onion Creek Baptist Church are to be moved to new sites. New locations also are being sought for the negro and Mexican schools, whose buildings are located on the government tract. With much of the land already cleared of buildings, a large number of graders and bulldozers were busy shaping the land to the desired contour lines.”
In 1942, the US Courts and United States Army decided to leave the road connecting to Onion Creek Baptist Church open as they decided not to include the church within the Bergstrom Air Force Base tract. The church moved a few up on 8500 Burleson Road.
“Court Opens Church Road The Travis County Commissioners Court Wednesday amended an order passed May 16 closing roads within the limits of the Del Valle Air Base to exclude a section of the Colton Road for a distance of 721.21 feet opposite the north property line of the Onion Creek Baptist church to permit the congregation of that church an open road to the building. The war department decided against taking in the church property within the air base area, it was announced.”
(Ref: Austin American, Page 5, Wednesday, July 1, 1942)
“Road of Church In Del Valle Left Open Worshippers of Onion Creek Baptist Church Wednesday were assured they will have an open road to their church building adjacent to the Del Valle air base. The county commissioners court amended an order closing all roads within the air base tract to exclude from the order 721.21 feet of the Colton Road opposite the north property line of the church. The war department has decided not to include the church within the tract, the court was informed.”
(Ref: Austin American, Page 9, Thursday, July 2, 1942)
The name of Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church was changed to Onion Creek Baptist Church somewhere around 1955. The church began using the name Onion Creek Baptist Church from now on. Exactly when is unknown. (Ref: A History of Onion Creek Baptist Church, Loretta Lohry, 1957)
A topographical map of the Montopolis Quadrangle dating back to 1956 lists Onion Creek Baptist Church as “Onion Cr Ch” The church did not specifically reference any Christian denomination. (Ref: Montopolis Quadrangle map, 1956)
Onion Creek Baptist Church held their 100th anniversary with ceremonies in August 1957 at their Riverside Drive location. “Onion Creek Baptist Church will observe its 100th anniversary Sunday with ceremonies at the church, located off Lockhart Highway and Burleson Road on the southwest corner of Bergstrom Air Force Base. The Rev. Joe Loghry is pastor.” (Ref: Austin American, Page 9, Thursday, August 8, 1957)
The original 2-story church building Onion Creek Baptist Church was moved to where Betania Baptist Church now stands at Tillery Street Street and Govalle Avenue in 1959. The building was given to Austin Baptist Association and Hyde Park Baptist Church gave two lots. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/357878017/)
A new church building for Onion Creek Baptist Church was planned to be built in 1960. “Church Planned Construction of a new church building in the Onion Creek area by the Onion Creek Baptist Church congregation is planned soon, according to the Rev, W. T. Johnson, new pastor of the church.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/359232842/)
Onion Creek Baptist Church moved to their present location at 8214 East Riverside Drive in 1961. This was because the church was located dangerously close to Bergstrom Air Force Base. The dangers of being closely located near the runways of Bergstrom Air Force Base are what made the church relocate. Today Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church now operates as Onion Creek Baptist Church at their present location on Riverside Drive.
Onion Creek Baptist Church sold the land to Johney M. Maynard (Johnny Maynard) in 1962. A horse pasture was established on the former church property. A gray metal horse shed was built in 1981. Johnny Maynard used the property for farming purposes. (Ref: Travis County Public Records, Volume 12650, Page 961)
Onion Creek Baptist Church celebrated their 140th anniversary in 1997. The anniversary was held at their present location. (Ref: https://archon.sbts.edu/?p=collections/findingaid&id=52&disabletheme=1)
Johnny Maynard conveyed his land to the City of Austin and Austin Bergstrom International Airport in 2004 for an amount of $54,500 dollars as part of the Airport Noise Mitigation Program. All debts were paid off at the time of acquisition. (Ref: Travis County Public Records, 2004203406)
Today the former Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church property is now abandoned and vacant. Only a gray metal horse shed remains. The City of Austin has fenced off the property from the public off using a chain link fence.
Onion Creek Baptist Church/Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church was formerly located at 8500 Burleson Road, Austin, Texas, US 78719. Today Onion Creek Baptist Church/Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church is located at 8214 East Riverside Drive, Austin, Texas, US 78744.
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