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The Tri-County Baptist Association, comprised of churches in Montague, Clay, and Wise Counties, voted to establish a church near Spanish Fort in 1895. Red River Baptist Church was formally organized that year following a revival service held under a brush arbor at Red River station. Early worship services were held in the Rowland Schoolhouse (1 mile west) and in the March Schoolhouse (1 mile north). About 1919-1920, after the Valley View Schoolhouse was built, the Baptist congregation shared that facility with other local churches. In 1921, during the pastorate of The Rev. J.A. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. York donated land at this site for a church building. Brother Russell, who also served as Principal of Valley View School, lived in a teacherage on school property until 1927, when the church built a parsonage. He later resigned to become Pastor of the First Baptist Church in nearby Nocona. In late 1928 or early 1929 church members voted to change the name of the congregation to Valley View Baptist Church. The Valley View congregation has a long history of supporting outreach and missionary activities. Many of the congregation's former pastors later served in the foreign missionary field. (1995) |
