Cherokee County Texas Archives Photo Place.....Henry's Chapel Community June 19, 2009
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Gina Heffernan http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006585 June 20, 2009, 2:06 am

Source:             Henry's Chapel
Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/cherokee/photos/henrysch6591nph.jpg
Image file size: 58.1 Kb

In 1848, Presbyterian minister William Porter Henry (1820-1875) moved from 
Alabama to northeastern Cherokee County, where he preached throughout his 
life. In 1854, Tennessean investors bought land near his home and platted the 
town of Knoxville, which thrived until 1872 when the International and Great 
Northern Railway bypassed it for Troup. Many Knoxville residents relocated to 
Troup, but some farmers in Knoxville's outlying areas chose to stay in the 
vicinity. Though business and commercial needs began making travel to Troup 
necessary, remaining residents were able to maintain a community life with the 
assistance of the Rev. Henry, who in 1874 donated five acres of land for the 
establishment of a school, church and cemetery to serve their needs. The 
loosely-knit community became known as Henry's Chapel in honor of its 
benefactor. A school, known as the Sharp Top School because of its unusually 
steeply pitched roof, functioned until the 1930s, and a Presbyterian church 
was also active here for many years. Statewide trends such as school 
consolidations and the development of a state highway system impeded the 
community's growth. The historic cemetery serves as the only physical reminder 
of the original community. 1991.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/cherokee/photos/henrysch6591nph.txt

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