Historical Society Hears Program On DeAnn and White Oak Grove Baptist Church

The Hempstead County Historical Society had a program on the history of DeAnn and the White Oak Grove Baptist Church. DeAnn dates back to the 1850’s and was founded by John C. Clark. The original plan was to name it “Clarksville” ; however, that name was already taken by a Johnson County community. Instead the name “DeAnn” which was a reworking of a French term. The community once boasted a sawmill, grist mill, stores, lawyers, and a doctor. Today the community only has two non-residential buildings, an inactive Methodist Church and the White Oak Grove Baptist Church. White Oak Grove is a bustling church that dates back to 1848. The church boast a new church building and routinely draws over 100 for Sunday worship services. Whatley serves as historian of the church and those attending really enjoyed learning about the church and the community.