In 1913, citizens of Jefferson, through the secretary of their Progressive Club, began to discuss the establishment of a Seventh - Day Adventist colony and school in this part of Marion County. Elder E.B. Hopkins (1854-1941), the minister of the Seventh-Day Adventist church, persuaded his friend, W.A. McCutchen, to help. McCutchen was, at the time, president of the north Texas conference of Seventh-Day Adventists and used his personal funds to purchase 1770 acres near the Black Cypress Bayou. The property was conveyed to the Texas Conference Association of Seventh-Day Adventists on June 21, 1915. McCutchen then attracted settlers with land and educational opportunities for their children. The community was named “Berea” alluding to the city mentioned in the book of Acts in the Bible. Work started immediately on a school and church. The original Berea Seventh-Day Adventist School opened in 1914 and consisted of three rooms. In 1916, due to increased enrollment, the school building was expanded. Over the years, the school underwent numerous periods of growth and operated under various names, including Berea Junior Academy and Jefferson Junior Academy. The church also met in this building for a time until a sanctuary was built in 1954-56. After serving many years, the school was dismantled and new buildings were erected in 1985. The elementary school across the street has also been in continuous operation since 1914. Although the community was never recorded as a town site, the Berea community has continued to maintain a viable presence in Marion county.