Caldwell in Burleson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Baptist Church

@thetalleyway via YouTube, circa December 18, 2026

1. First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Originally named Dove Church. Organized May 4, 1843, in home of Laban Rice, one of six charter members. Noted frontier ministers R.E.B. Baylor and Noah Byars presided at founding, and Byars served as first pastor.

First building (1844) stood on Davidson Creek (about 1 Mi. E), where early baptisms were held. One of many renowned former pastors was the Rev. B.H. Carroll, who was ordained and licensed here.

Of five sanctuaries for this church, two burned. The present one was built in 1928-1929. In 1960 it was remodeled and an education building erected.

Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 7572.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is May 4, 1843.

Location. 30° 31.746′ N, 96° 41.64′ W. Marker is in Caldwell, Texas, in Burleson County. It is at the intersection of South Thomas Street and West Mustang Street, on the right when traveling south on South Thomas Street. The marker is located in front of the church at the corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 South Thomas Street, Caldwell TX 77836, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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 walking distance of this marker: Old City Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lewis L. Chiles

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(about 500 feet away); City of Caldwell (about 600 feet away); Warren Lodge No. 56, A.F. & A.M. (about 700 feet away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Caldwell National Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); Burleson County in World War II (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Caldwell.

Also see . . . Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor. Wikipedia

In 1839, Baylor moved to La Grange, Texas. He quickly made a name for himself in Texas law as judge of the Third Judicial District of the Congress of the Republic of Texas, and was appointed to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Texas as an associate justice in 1841, a position he would hold until the annexation of Texas in 1845. After Texas attained statehood, Baylor was appointed by Governor J. P. Henderson as judge over the Third Judicial District of the new state, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1863. He lived the remainder of his life in Gay Hill, Texas.

(Submitted on August 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by James Hulse, August 9, 2022

2. First Baptist Church Marker

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

Photographed by James Hulse, August 9, 2022

3. The First Baptist Church and Marker

The First Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 9, 2022

4. The First Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2026. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 18, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.