Timpson in Shelby County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Baptist Church of Timpson

Photographed by James Hulse, March 15, 2025

1. First Baptist Church of Timpson Marker

Inscription. Area Baptists had established a church at Buena Vista (4.3 mi.E) when the railroad bypassed that community and founded Timpson in 1885. The Houston, East & West Texas Railroad dedicated church sites for the new town in 1886, and the Baptists were given this land. Twenty members chartered First Baptist that year, with the Rev. W.F. Alford as pastor.

Many families moved from Buena Vista to the new town, including that of Dr. J.B. Bussey, trustee of First Baptist. M.D. Blankenship and his family built a log house in Timpson, and became leaders in the community and First Baptist Church.

The congregation met in the Christian Church for two years before their first sanctuary was finished here. The wooden building with a belfry was replaced in 1917 by this brick structure with a classical entry portico. When the Timpson Public school burned in 1937, high school classes were held in this building.

By 1939 the church listed 485 members. Musical traditions begun during the 30s, including special cantatas at Christmas and Easter, have continued through the years. A library was founded in the early 1950s, a new parsonage was

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built in 1952, and an educational building was erected in 1961. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986

Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7679.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 31° 54.425′ N, 94° 24.017′ W. Marker is in Timpson, Texas, in Shelby County. It is at the intersection of North 2nd Street and Timpson St, on the right when traveling west on North 2nd Street. The marker is located at the western front of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 N 2nd St, Timpson TX 75975, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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

Closeup of the First Baptist Church of Timpson and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 15, 2025

2. Closeup of the First Baptist Church of Timpson and Marker

least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Timpson (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory of Our Boys (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named In Memory of Our Boys (approx. 0.2 miles away); Buena Vista Cemetery (approx. 3.6 miles away); George Washington Green (approx. 4.4 miles away); Tennessee Presbyterian Church (approx. 5.9 miles away); Tennessee Community Cemetery (approx. 5.9 miles away); Tennessee Methodist Church (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Timpson.

First Baptist Church of Timpson image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 15, 2025

3. First Baptist Church of Timpson

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.