From US Hwy. 171 in center of Hornbeck, turn east at caution light onto Port Arthur Ave. Go 1/2 mile and turn left onto Williams Road (there are 2 signs on the right side of the road that read: Plainview Community & Prewitts Chapel Baptist Church).Go two blacks and turn right on Rose Road.Rose Road turns in to Plainview Road. Rose Road/Plainview Road has many turns and twists, but stay on the main road for approximately 2 1/4 miles. Turn right onto Prewitt's Chapel Road, and go 1/2 mile to the church sign. Take the right fork and go to the end of the lane. This very large cemetery is located on the right side of the road before the church, and is surrounded by a
chain-link fence. A large new section has been added to the west with room for twice the number of burials currently interred. A sign over the walk-in gate near the church indicates the cemetery was established in 1869.

Obviously this cemetery is tended by caring individuals. A large
display case under glass near the front entrance diagrams the layout of burials in the cemetery with last names of burials entered at each location.

A small American flag indicates a military marker. Several small
wooden, hand-lettered signs are located throughout the cemetery at individual burials that provide a brief historical comment about that person or family. This recognition was obviously done by someone who cared a great deal about the family, and did not want the facts to be lost.

HISTORY

Prewitt's Chapel was organized in 1869 with 30 members. Some of the early pastors were Z.Corley, G.W. Stringer, A.J. Weldon, B.O. Owens, J. Prewitt, M.W. Lilley, J.D. Wilson, and W.J. Averitt. In 1871 Willis West, J.H. Chance, and Josiah Isiah Brown were elected delegates to the District Associational meeting. Although Josiah Brown was no longer affiliated with the church body by June 1874, his family remained and
participated in church activities even to the present day. A young daughter of Josiah Brown & Tabitha Ann West, was the first burial in this cemetery in 1893.

The first building at this location was a small one-room log house that was used as a school during the week and church on weekends and special days. The original building did not have log blocks to make it a raised house as is customary in this area, but instead was built right on the ground. The cornerstone was supplied by Josiah Brown & Johnnie West, early settlers of the community of Hornbeck.

In the 125 years since the church was organized, there have been four church houses erected.