Bonner Chapel bka Bonner’s Chapel is one of the lesser known chapels and churches of Del Valle, Texas and Elroy, Texas. This news article will explain and explore the history behind this chapel. 
Bonner Chapel bka Bonner’s Chapel was established and erected on land owned by A. L. Bonner, August E. Lundell, and G. Lundell in the settlement of Elroy, Texas. A. L. Bonner donated 2 acres for a church around 1894. However construction of a church would not begin until 1896. Construction of Bonner Chapel bka Bonner’s Chapel would be completed in 1897.
Bonner Chapel bka Bonner’s Chapel was established as a small chapel which would later transform into a medium sized church with sizable attendance. Bonner’s Chapel was established along FM 812 in Elroy, Texas sometime during the late 19th century around 1897 as indicated and shown in Travis County Clerk Records: Road Book Precinct 4. Here Bonner’s Chapel would be located less than 2 blocks from Lundell’s Gin and facing Lundell’s store directly across from FM 812. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth713035/m1/25/?q=%22Travis%20County%20Clerk%20Records:%20Road%20Book%22)
Bonner's Chapel was later a Primitive Baptist Church which become known as Bonner's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church by 1901. Bonner's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church was an African American church and Baptist chapel. Bonner Chapel was also known as “Bonner Chapel Baptist Church” and “Bonner's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church” as reported by the Austin American-Statesman. However Bonner Chapel was mainly known as “Bonner Chapel Baptist Church” and Bonner Chapel Baptist Church in Elroy, Texas. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/356962852/)
First Baptist Church changed the name of Bonner’s Chapel to First Baptist Church of Elroy in 1913. The name Bonner’s Chapel would no longer be used although the local newspapers in Austin would still refer to this church as “Bonner’s Chapel”. First Baptist Church of Elroy was a Swedish Baptist church. (Ref: https://web.archive.org/web/20100411003820/http://fbc-elroy.flixprod.com/)
This church was also be known as Swedish Baptist Church, Swedish Baptist Church of Elroy, and Swedish Baptist Church of Austin. (Ref: https://bizstanding.com/p/first+swedish+baptist+church+of+elroy+texas-14035261)
In 1924, Austin Statesman reported that Bonner’s Chapel had an amount of $39.75 dollars to their name, which was quite more than other churches in the region had to their names. Bonner's Chapel had a high churchgoing attendance by then. So this chapel and church was quite wealthy at that time. Bonner’s Chapel was an established church in the Elroy community. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/366273581/)
[The following thirty-eight communities have reported the amounts opposite their names: St. Paul, Giddings, $23; Lynch Chapel, $35; Little Zion, Sandoval, $46.20; St. Peters, $45.40; St. Peters Home Mission Society, $10; Mt. Zion, Temple, $84.79; Zion, Dale, $43.25; Zion Home Mission Society, $5; Live Oak Grove, $42.25; Mt. Moriah, $110.58; Galilee, $26.50; Mt. Olive, Bastrop, $27.25; Little Zion, Lexington, $37.50; St. John’s Dale, $68.55; Antioch, $19.05; Willing Workers, $22.40; Loving Valley, $50; Ebenezer, Hutto, $104.12; Mt. Pleasant, $64.35; Little Zion, Granger, $18.75; Mt. Zion, Goodman, $31; Parks Spring, $140.10; Chapel Ann, $25; Clear View, $24.60; Union Hill, $38.50; Mt. Olive, Rogers, $34; Parr Valley, $11.35; Mt. Zion, Sprinkle, $8; Davis Chapel $51.35; Bonner's Chapel, $39.75; Swenson Grove, $7.07; Bluff Creek, $10; Weeping Willow, $19; St. Paul Sunday School, Fiskville, 3; Mt. Horeb, $65.86; Mt. Pleasant, Thrall, $10; Sweet Home, Round Rock, $36.84; Good Will Home Mission Society, $20.]
Many people came to know Christ and joined Bonner Chapel Baptist Church in Elroy, Texas during the early 20th century. One example of a person coming to know Christ and joining Bonner Chapel Baptist Church in Elroy, Texas is Bessie Lee. (Ref: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/statesman/name/bessie-lee-obituary?n=bessie-lee&pid=170246564&fhid=11747)
Bessie Lee was born to Louis and Area Roland DeShay on June 28, 1916 in Dale, Texas. She attended Elroy public schools in Elroy, Texas. Bessie confessed her hope in Christ at a young age and was baptized under the auspices of Reverend Henry Hill at Bonners Chapel Baptist Church in Elroy, Texas.
Many people were baptized under the auspices of Reverend Henry Hill at Bonners Chapel Baptist Church during the 20th century. Reverend Henry Hill baptized many people at this church and chapel. Helping people find hope in Christ was his main pejorative. As a result, many people came to know Christ and joined Bonner Chapel Baptist Church.
A. L. Bonner and G. Lundell sold and transferred the land to A F Alexander in 1972. A F Alexander owned the land property for many years.
According to buzzfile, First Baptist Church of Elroy was organized and founded in 1984 by Pastor Ronnie Dyer as Baptist church and religious organization. (Ref: http://www.buzzfile.com/business/First-Baptist-Church-of-Elroy-512-243-1441)
Pastor Ronnie Dyer incorporated First Baptist Church of Elroy on Monday, April 27, 1987. First Baptist Church of Elroy, Texas was filed as a domestic nonprofit corporation in the State of Texas on Monday, April 27, 1987 as recorded in documents filed with Texas Secretary of State. (Ref: https://www.corporationwiki.com/p/jgmqh/first-baptist-church-of-elroy-texas)
A F Alexander sold and transferred the land to First Baptist Church of Elroy on the date of 2/22/2002 on a warranty deed. First Baptist Church of Elroy would assume full ownership of the property and church building then. (Ref: Travis County Deeds, Instrument #2002044327)
First Baptist Church of Elroy now owns the property where Bonner Chapel bka Bonner’s Chapel once was located. First Baptist Church of Elroy has 100% ownership of property rights and mineral rights of said property along FM 812. (Ref: http://propaccess.traviscad.org/clientdb/Property.aspx?cid=1&prop_id=531645)
Bonner Chapel bka Bonner’s Chapel was located at 13802 FM 812, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617.
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