"Michel B. Menard, signer of the Texas Declaration
of Independence, and his brother,
Pierre J., settled here in 1833. According to local tradition, sometime
prior to 1854 the
Mt. Gileard Baptist Church built a small sanctuary here in Menard
Chapel, a farm and
ranch community which developed along Menard Creek.
Shortly after the Civil War ended, Mrs. E. O.
Rhoden donated two acres here for
church and school purposes. The Baptist Congregation constructed
a new church building,
which for many decades served as a House of Worship as well as a
schoolhouse for the
Menard Chapel School. Early teacher, A. A. Duff, also served as
pastor. Another early
teacher, U. A. Collins, went on to serve Polk County as Texas State
Senator. The school
was discontinued in 1935 when it was consolidated into the Livingston
Independent School
District.
The cemetery was established with the burial
of Rutha Nicholas in 1876. Church and
Cemetery acreage was set aside in a deed executed by Eli & Unity
Rhoden in 1902. A new
Sanctuary, built here in the 1920's served as a place of worship
until 1983. The cemetery is
maintained with Perpetual Care Funds by the Menard Chapel
Cemetery Committee.
Veterans of the Civil War, World War I, and World War II are buried
here.