Bay City in Matagorda County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Baptist Church of Bay City
Photographed By James Hulse, February 11, 2022
1. First Baptist Church of Bay City Marker
Inscription.
First Baptist Church of Bay City. . Members of Trespalacios Baptist Church, a Matagorda County congregation established in the early 1850s, organized a Baptist church in the nearby community of Red Bluff in 1889. In 1895 they moved the church to the new county seat of Bay City, changed the name to First Baptist Church of Bay City, and joined the Colorado Baptist Association. In its early years the congregation met in a commercial building and the Methodist Church building and participated in a Union school with other local denominations. , The Rev. J.H. Thorn became the first full-time pastor in 1903, the year the congregation erected its first sanctuary. The building, destroyed in a 1909 hurricane, was replaced with a tabernacle and later with a brick structure at this site in 1915. The congregation completed an auditorium in 1941 and an education addition to its sanctuary in 1947. First Baptist Church was instrumental in the establishment of Calvary Baptist Church in 1947 and Emmanuel Mexican Mission which it sponsored from 1930 to 1989. Active in community outreach programs, the church opened a child development center in 1979 and an educational center in 1987. First Baptist Church continues to serve the community with a variety of ministries.
Members of Trespalacios Baptist Church, a Matagorda County congregation established in the early 1850s, organized a Baptist church in the nearby community of Red Bluff in 1889. In 1895 they moved the church to the new county seat of Bay City, changed the name to First Baptist Church of Bay City, and joined the Colorado Baptist Association. In its early years the congregation met in a commercial building and the Methodist Church building and participated in a Union school with other local denominations.
The Rev. J.H. Thorn became the first full-time pastor in 1903, the year the congregation erected its first sanctuary. The building, destroyed in a 1909 hurricane, was replaced with a tabernacle and later with a brick structure at this site in 1915. The congregation completed an auditorium in 1941 and an education addition to its sanctuary in 1947. First Baptist Church was instrumental in the establishment of Calvary Baptist Church in 1947 and Emmanuel Mexican Mission which it sponsored from 1930 to 1989. Active in community outreach programs, the church opened a child development center in 1979 and an educational center in 1987. First Baptist Church continues to serve the community with a variety of ministries.
Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1614.)
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 28° 58.793′ N, 95° 58.184′ W. Marker is in Bay City, Texas, in Matagorda County. Marker is at the intersection of 4th Street and Avenue F, on the right when traveling west on 4th Street. The marker is located at the front entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2321 Avenue F, Bay City TX 77414, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The entrance to the First Baptist Church of Bay City and Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, February 11, 2022
3. The view of the First Baptist Church of Bay City and Marker from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.