Temple in Bell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Baptist Church of Temple

Photographed by James Hulse, December 24, 2025

1. First Baptist Church of Temple Marker

Inscription. Originally known as Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, this congregation was organized on November 21, 1874, in the small Bell County town of Birdsdale (about one mile west of present Temple). The Rev. Anderson Clark (1829–1925) became the church’s first pastor, leading a charter membership of twenty people. A small sanctuary was built on land donated by A.J. Flakes, but was destroyed by a tornado two years after its construction.

Following the creation of the city of Temple in 1881, the members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church voted to move to the new town and rename their congregation First Baptist Church of Temple. A frame church was built on the corner of North Main Street and Barton Avenue in 1882. It was replaced with a brick and stone structure in 1895. After the 1895 building was destroyed in a 1938 fire, the congregation relocated to this site and built a new sanctuary that same year. Additional buildings have been added over the years to serve the growing needs of the congregation.

Instrumental in local missionary activities, this church has served the community for over 100 years.

Erected 1988 by Texas Historical

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Commission. (Marker Number 1680.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is November 21, 1874.

Location. 31° 7.234′ N, 97° 25.568′ W. Marker is in Temple, Texas, in Bell County. It is at the intersection of West Adams Avenue and Westfield Blvd, on the right when traveling east on West Adams Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8015 W Adams Ave, Temple TX 76502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Texas.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of 1920's Factory of the Temple Monoplane (approx. 3 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 3½ miles away); Lake Polk Park (approx. 3.6 miles away); Norman Austin

First Baptist Church of Temple and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 24, 2025

2. First Baptist Church of Temple and Marker

The marker is located at the right side of the entrance.

(approx. 4 miles away); The Feint - Encirclement of the Rangers (approx. 4 miles away); The Chase (approx. 4 miles away); Prelude to Battle (approx. 4 miles away); The Clash - Pinned Down at the Ravine (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Temple.

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

Photographed by James Hulse, December 24, 2025

3. First Baptist Church of Temple

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 25, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.