The New Colony Baptist Church stands almost at the center of Cass County and is a pleasant and restful sight for travellers.
u These church members are true believers in Santa Claus. Sitting in front is Jean Ann Estep. At top, left to right, are Brenda Morgan, Suzanne Kreklow, Santa and Lovie Terry
Landen Terry is tickled to be dressed as a reindeer and meet with his elf friends. He’s Santa’s helper for the New Colony Church’s Christmas festival.The costumes were provided by Cyndy Jackson of Uncertain,TX.
p The pastor and his wife af Cass County’s New Colony Baptist church are Laude and Jill Crocker. That’s Santa Claus who is thinking about being a member of the church. t The seven performers who were Santa’s family for the New Colony Baptist Church
p On stage at New Colony Baptist Church during the church’s early Christmas celebration is the band titled “A Way to the Light.”
New Colony Baptist Church
New Colony Baptist Church is almost at the center of Cass County, and recently the church put on a major effort to be the center. It brought Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus to church.
The adults were about as tickled as the youth. Everyone had their pictures made with the couple. Several members of the youth group put on reindeer and elf clothing to be Santa’s helpers.
Musicians performed in the sanctuary. Some youth went outside to wave down U. S. Highway 59 travellers and get them to stop, come inside and speak to Santa. Members of the church had prepared a noon lunch for everyone, too.
“It’s simply a new and exciting time at our big white church,” said member Suzanne Kreklow. “We’re trying fun new projects, have lots of new people and an exceptional pastor and his wife in Claude and Jill Crocker. We are so excited about the young families joining us. We are a church family coming together to worship and learn about Jesus. Come and join us. We will accept you as you are.”
With that summary assessment, Kreklow left to go get her picture with Santa.
New Colony Baptist Church is on U. S. Highway 59 between Linden and Atlanta and was established in 1889 by a “colony” of people who were primarily from South Carolina. The name was suggested by Mrs. J.T. Latham.
Charter members were Mr. and Mrs. John S. Carwile, Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah H. Carwile, Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Elgins, Mr. and Mrs. Hamp Washington, Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Crowson and Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Martin.
The Carwiles had migrated to Texas in November 1887, establishing a church first at New Prospect in Marion County.
The New Colony organization met in homes until 1891 when a log school house was used as a meeting place. This building stood on the Zachariah H. Carwile farm on a hill behind the present church.
In 1904, Zachariah H. Carwile donated the land for the present church which was built in that year. In 1908 this building was destroyed by a cyclone, then rebuilt the following summer with the same materials.
It was Mr. Carwile’s desire to be buried near the church. When he died in 1917, he was buried on the hill behind the church. The plot later developed into the New Colony Cemetery.