Rockdale in Milam County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Baptist Church of Rockdale
Photographed By James Hulse, November 12, 2022
1. First Baptist Church of Rockdale Marker
Inscription.
First Baptist Church of Rockdale. . The community of Rockdale sprang up around a railroad camp in 1873. The Rev. B.B. Baxter arrived in 1874 and established a Baptist church with 18 charter members. The Rev. Mr. Baxter conducted services in a room above a dry goods store shared with other denominations. He was succeeded by the Rev. Vandevere, one of the 18 charter members, in 1876. At the urging of revival leader W.E. Penn and the Rev. Dr. J.H. Stripling, a simple structure was erected for worship services in 1881. A new building was erected on this site in 1919. The church grew steadily; a Latin American mission established in the 1950s became a full Southern Baptist church in 1966. A new First Baptist Church complex was built in 1972. The congregation remains active in community service and missionary work.
The community of Rockdale sprang up around a railroad camp in 1873. The Rev. B.B. Baxter arrived in 1874 and established a Baptist church with 18 charter members. The Rev. Mr. Baxter conducted services in a room above a dry goods store shared with other denominations. He was succeeded by the Rev. Vandevere, one of the 18 charter members, in 1876. At the urging of revival leader W.E. Penn and the Rev. Dr. J.H. Stripling, a simple structure was erected for worship services in 1881. A new building was erected on this site in 1919. The church grew steadily; a Latin American mission established in the 1950s became a full Southern Baptist church in 1966. A new First Baptist Church complex was built in 1972. The congregation remains active in community service and missionary work.
Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12154.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 30° 39.436′ N, 96° 59.982′ W. Marker is in Rockdale, Texas, in Milam County. Marker is at the intersection of Green Street and East Bell Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Green Street. The marker is located on the right side of the
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front entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 Green Street, Rockdale TX 76567, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. The view of the First Baptist Church of Rockdale and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 17, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
