Building on History

Here at Patriot Structures, we have worked on buildings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all across Texas. We perform remodels and building expansions and other projects for them as much as we can.

Sometimes, when on a project, we notice a little bit of history. Near Beaumont is a building for the Williamson Wards. It turns out that the area saw its first Mormon converts over 100 years ago. That Williamson chapel was built on their original property. The State of Texas even recognized them with their own historical marker:
The historical marker reads:

This community began in 1867 when Louisiana native William Williamson and his wife Joissine Desmarais bought squatters rights and a log house on this tract of public land. Their home served as the community gathering place for socials and church meetings. After the death of their son Absolom in 1890, the Williamson Cemetery (1.3 mi. N) was set aside. Vitally interested in education, Williamson served as a school trustee as did several of his 15 children and their descendants.

In 1900 Williamson and his wife were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; this marked the beginning of Mormonism in this area. The first church house of pine logs was erected about 1901 by volunteers. In 1915 a frame building was constructed here on a acre of land donated by Williamson's son Joseph.

Signs of the Williamson influence in the community include: an early school and a major road bearing the name; the annual July 24th commemoration of the Mormons' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley; the public cemetery which has about 650 graves; the family genealogical association; and this church building which is located at the center of the community.