Concord, Upshur County - The Fire

Just a day before I left for my trip, I was so pleased to find a facebook page and website for The Concord Baptist Church in Upshur County.  Too many of these 13 towns had no internet presence, and I had what looked to be a vibrant community centered around their church; 
​
and then I clicked on the next link...

www.easttexasmatters.com/news/local-news/gilmer-church-burns-down/63421924

On December 31, 2016 the 100 year old church was destroyed.  There was a suspicion of arson, but I haven't heard the outcome.  Despite the fire, the church was continuing in the same location, so this was the 11th of the 13 Concords I visited.

Cows rested besides the ruins of the former corner store.

---

The Handbook of Texas states that Concord, Texas (Upshur County) was probably established before 1900.  By 1906 it had two schools with an enrollment of 89.  In the 1930's, the community had a school, a church, a store and a sawmill.  After WWII, many of its residents moved away, and the school was consolidated with nearby Gilmer.  By the 1960's all that remained was a church, a cemetery and a scattering of houses.

---

​The demolition crew of the church had been efficient. All that remained was the old bell, an overturned pew, and a few flowers poking out where the front steps had once stood.

---

Each Concord has its own story, and I've tried to find the best of each of these towns, but it was hard to be optimistic about Concord in Upshur County. Once again, the most enduring feature was the cemetery and its massive trees standing witness to the loss of a once thriving community.

---