PARK(S) SPRING(S) BAPTIST CHURCH AND CEMETERY

In years gone by, entities such as churches and cemeteries were often segregated along racial lines. The Manor area was no different. Some church congregations were composed of white folks, while others were strictly black (usually referred to as “colored”) people. Cemeteries were often connected to churches and were similarly separated. There were several cemeteries and churches around Manor that were established to be populated exclusively by those of the black race. Examples of those still in existence today are the Park Spring Baptist Church and it’s adjoining Parks Springs Cemetery.

On September 12, 1887 Addison Earldom Lane sold one acre of land, about five miles southeast of Manor, to Joe Cunningham, representative of Parks Spring Baptist Church, for $25. The deed stated the property was to be used “for church purposes”. Mr. Lane reserved the rights to all timber on the land for himself. 

    TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 105, PAGE 107

It is unknown how soon thereafter the congregation constructed a church building on the property, but Travis County Mechanics Lien records show that on January 1, 1898, Charles W. Hodge, Peter De Witty and James Cunningham, trustees representing Park(s) Spring Baptist Church purchased $400 worth of lumber from Manor Lumber Company to be used for “improvements” on the church property. 

TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 123, MECHANICS LIEN,  PAGE 607

The church trustees signed a note in the amount of $400 to be paid to Manor Lumber Company on October 1, 1898, plus 10 percent interest. If a lawyer had to be hired to collect payment, then an additional 10 percent  would be due. 

RECEIPT AND NOTE FOR BUILDING MATERIALS SIGNED BY CHURCH TRUSTEES

On October 10, 1893 Claus and Johannah Anderson sold 25 acres of land adjoining the church property on the east side to Alonzo Johnson, John Wadkins and Alfred Rainey, representing the Park Spring Cemetery Association. The purchase price was $250, of which a $150 payment was made at the time of the purchase with a one-year note at 10% per annum interest still to be paid. 

TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 118, PAGE 402

Travis County collected property taxes on the entire 25 acres until 1920 when they recognized that a fenced 5-acre part of the property on the southern end was being used exclusively for burial purposes; only 20 acres was taxed thereafter. 

Travis County road surveys conducted from 1898 to 1902 show the church and cemetery located on what was then Galaway Road. This road was later renamed, with the northern part becoming Parsons Road and the southern end named Lockwood Road. At some time, Lockwood Road was rerouted so that it cut diagonally across the cemetery property. The original road still exists as Old Lockwood Road on the south and east sides of the church and cemetery property.

1898-1902 TRAVIS COUNTY ROAD SURVEY MAP SHOWING CHURCH AND CEMETERY

1940 AERIAL PHOTO - RED IS 1 ACRE PURCHASED FOR CHURCH - BLUE IS 25 ACRES PURCHASED BY CEMETERY TRUSTEES - GREEN IS AREA SET ASIDE FOR CEMETERY

CURRENT GOOGLE MAP SHOWING AREA USED AS CEMETERY

Over  a period of many years, the cemetery has become extremely overgrown with trees, brush and weeds. Much trash and other debris has been dumped on the cemetery grounds. Many headstones are in poor condition, disrepair and broken. Many graves appear to be unmarked or they are unidentifiable due to missing or unreadable information. Efforts are currently underway to clear and restore the cemetery to what it needs to be. 

As of December, 2020, Find A Grave.com shows 647 burials in the cemetery. 

Parks Springs Cemetery Facebook page gives more information about the cleanup efforts.

https://www.facebook.com/Parks-Springs-Cemetery-539752763477746