El Campo in Wharton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

El Campo First Baptist Church

Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2022

1. El Campo First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Between 1890 and 1898, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, German Lutheran, and Swedish Methodist churches were organized in El Campo. The town's first Baptist church was organized on April 28, 1895, by the Rev. J.P. Rutledge and nine original members B.T. Majors, Willie Downing, G.W. Siddons, Mr. and Mrs. S.B. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Skinner, Ella Petitt and S.B. Callahan. Early services were held on the fourth Saturday evening and Sunday morning of each month. In 1898, funds were raised to erect a permanent house of worship for the congregation. Church trustees purchased land at the corner of Jackson and Depot streets, and a frame structure was soon built. The congregation continued to grow and a three-story brick church was built at the same location in 1928. The church has constructed several later buildings at the Jackson and Depot site.

Several organizations have been founded within the congregation throughout the years. The Ladies Aid (later known as the Women's Missionary Union) was founded prior to 1903. The Baptist Young People's Union was active by 1927.

The spirit of giving has been evident from the church's beginning. Donations have been collected from the congregation for several charities including home and foreign missions, Buckner's Orphan's Home and Palacios Academy. In 1975, the church purchased property to be used to build a mission church (now Bethel Baptist Mission). Today, El Campo First Baptist Church remains a spiritual leader in the community.

Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15948.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is April 28, 1895.

Location. 29° 11.781′ N, 96° 16.348′ W. Marker is in El Campo, Texas, in Wharton County. It is

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at the intersection of Depot Street and West Hillje Street, on the right when traveling north on Depot Street. The marker is located at the corner of the street by the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 Depot Street, El Campo TX 77437, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Christian Church of El Campo (approx. 0.2 miles away); El Campo Library Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prairie Switch (approx. ¼ mile away); First National Bank of El Campo (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Parish (approx. 0.3 miles away); El Campo (approx. 0.4 miles away); El Campo Independent School District (approx. 0.4 miles away);

The El Campo First Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2022

2. The El Campo First Baptist Church and Marker

Site of Pierce Hotel (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Campo.

The view of the El Campo First Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2022

3. The view of the El Campo First Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 375 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.