Rocksprings in Edwards County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Baptist Church of Rocksprings
Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 28, 2020
1. First Baptist Church of Rocksprings Marker
Inscription.
First Baptist Church of Rocksprings. . In 1893, an early year in the community's history, a small group of seven organized the Missionary Baptist Church of Christ at Rocksprings. The church disbanded after a few years, but was reborn as Rocksprings Baptist Church in 1898. Seventeen members called the Rev. Dan W. Matthews as their first pastor in that year. The Ladies' Aid Society began in 1900 under Mrs. Matthews. A frame building was erected in 1904; a parsonage followed in 1909. The small church, through the dedication of its members, prospered until 1927, when a tornado devastated the town of Rocksprings. Texans came from far and wide to repair the community and rebuild the Baptist building., The church continued to thrive through the Depression and war years. By 1932 a Mexican American mission sponsored by the Baptists became a full Sunday School; in 1936 the membership of the Baptist church was 157 and in 1949 it was 207. The congregation was active in support of Baptist organizations. Modern brick facilities were dedicated on this site in 1966., In missionary service, community outreach, and devotion to worship, the First Baptist Church of Rocksprings continues to uphold the values and traditions of its pioneer founders.
In 1893, an early year in the community's history, a small group of seven organized the Missionary Baptist Church of Christ at Rocksprings. The church disbanded after a few years, but was reborn as Rocksprings Baptist Church in 1898. Seventeen members called the Rev. Dan W. Matthews as their first pastor in that year. The Ladies' Aid Society began in 1900 under Mrs. Matthews. A frame building was erected in 1904; a parsonage followed in 1909. The small church, through the dedication of its members, prospered until 1927, when a tornado devastated the town of Rocksprings. Texans came from far and wide to repair the community and rebuild the Baptist building.
The church continued to thrive through the Depression and war years. By 1932 a Mexican American mission sponsored by the Baptists became a full Sunday School; in 1936 the membership of the Baptist church was 157 and in 1949 it was 207. The congregation was active in support of Baptist organizations. Modern brick facilities were dedicated on this site in 1966.
In missionary service, community outreach, and devotion to worship, the First Baptist Church of Rocksprings continues to uphold the values and traditions of its pioneer founders.
Erected 1998 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11854.)
Topics. This
Click or scan to see this page online
historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 30° 0.711′ N, 100° 12.32′ W. Marker is in Rocksprings, Texas, in Edwards County. Marker is on Uvalde Road (State Highway 55), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Uvalde Road, Rocksprings TX 78880, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 1, 2020, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.
