First Baptist Church
In 1940, 28 charter members organized a Baptist church to meet the spiritual needs of the local community. Though worshippers had met for services in the area since 1877, the community, then known as Prairie View, had lacked an organized church for a number of years. Interest in forming a church was renewed when Central Baptist Church of Port Arthur led a vacation bible school for the community and local residents organized and began attending Sunday school.
The Rev. J.B. Perry was the first pastor for the congregation, which was first known as Blandale Baptist Church. Other nearby Baptist congregations supported the new church through donations and service. After Prairie View changed names to Bridge City, following completion of the Rainbow and Cow Bayou swing bridges, the institution became known as Bridge City Baptist Church, before taking its current name in 1948. In 1953, a new sanctuary was constructed at this location.
The congregation has historically been active in the community, serving families in financial need and offering use of its facilities for public education and as a staging area and shelter following hurricanes. The church also established a school, which began operating in 1958. Additionally, members have focused on missions, establishing Harmony Baptist (later Second Baptist) and Liberty
this page online
175 Years of Texas Independence - 1836-2011
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16949.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion.
Location. 30° 1.949′ N, 93° 50.199′ W. Marker is in Bridge City, Texas, in Orange County. Marker is on West Round Bunch Road (Highway 1445) east of Middleton Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 West Round Bunch Road, Bridge City TX 77611, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cow Bayou Swing Bridge (approx. 1.1 miles away); Winfree Baptist Church (approx. 2˝ miles away); Rainbow Bridge (approx. 5.3 miles away); Old First Orange Baptist Church (approx. 5.9 miles away); Site Of World War II P.O.W. Camp (approx. 5.9 miles away); Women's Peacetime and Wartime Service (approx. 6 miles away); Merchant Marine Memorial (approx. 6 miles away); Spanish-American War (approx. 6 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
