History of Stoney Point
We hope you enjoy this brief historical account of Stoney Point.
Today, the Stoney Point & Brinlee Cemetery Association continues the mission of preserving the historic Stoney Point and the Brinlee Cemeteries. For more information on how you can help, click the Support tab.
Stoney Point Baptist Church and Cemetery
Stoney Point Baptist Church and Cemetery are located about six miles east of Melissa, Collin County, Texas on Farm Road 545. The church building is about two hundred feet south of the road; the cemetery is east of the building with the entrance on the west side of the cemetery. In the 1870's and 1880's, Stoney Point was a thriving community with a cotton gin, a general store operated, a molasses mill, a grist mill, church, and school.
The Baptist Church of Christ at Stoney Point was organized on August 17, 1878; however, the first land on which to build a church was not deeded until1883 by Andrew Jackson (A. J.) Scribner and R. N. Coffey. The next deed that granted land was January 3, 1885 by John Calvin Price and wife Elizabeth Ann (Roper) Price. There is no one living, at this time, who knows where these earliest meetings were held. In all probability, they were held in the homes or in the Johnson School house, until a building could be erected.
The church organized a Sunday School on December 20, 1896. Officers included J. H. Vermillion, Superintendent; A. J. Scribner, Assistant Superintendent; J. C. Price, teacher of Old Men's Class; A. J. Scribner, teacher of Old Ladies' Class; Burl J. Nichols, teacher of Young Men's Class; Miss Mary Lacy, teacher of Young Ladies' Class; Miss Mollie Johnson, teacher of little Girls Class; Andrew Jackson Hartley, teacher of Little Boy's Class; Miss Josie Scribner, Secretary; Mrs. Willie Brown, Assistant Secretary.
The original church building was struck by lightning and burned in 1926. It was described as having plenty of ginger-bread work on the outside and inside and was a lovely and unique building. The pews were beautifully constructed and were enhanced by hand carving. The church was rebuilt in the same location and was dedicated July 31, 1938. This building remains standing today, although it has undergone some renovation and repairs over the years.
Over time, the Stoney Point Church and community began to decline. In July 1939, there were 123 members on the church rolls. By 1949, there were only 25 resident members. In the late 1950's, Reverend Louie D. Sullivan accepted the invitation to be pastor of the church. At that time, the membership had dropped to about seven or eight members. With much hard work, Reverend and Mrs. Sullivan built the membership up to about 75 members. After Rev. Sullivan resigned as pastor, the church called two other pastors. Each stayed for a very brief time. After that, the church expired as a church body as there were not enough members to make a quorum. The church building was abandoned -- the doors unlocked and thrown open to the vandals who did a great deal of damage. The building soon deteriorated.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's, several descendants of the early settlers of Stoney Point returned to the local area and took an interest in restoring the Stoney Point Baptist Church structure so that it could be used for special events, such as Decoration Day and Funerals. Some key leaders of the Stoney Point & Brinlee Cemetery Association at this time were: Jewell (Thompson) Mitchell, Mary Lou Johnson; and Leland and Lois (Kerley) Scribner.
From History of Stony Point Church and Cemetery by Jewell Thompson Mitchell
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| Texas State Historical Landmark | Stoney Point Church Leaders | Stoney Point Church Records | Stoney Point School |
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| Some Faces of Stoney Point, Brinlee and Surrounding Areas |