First Baptist Timeline

1856- Stephenville First Baptist Church organized with three members by Elder William Robinson, known as “Choctaw Bill.”

1866- Elder Rueben D. Ross was called to the care of the church, serving twelve years. He lived on his farm in western Erath County 15 or 20 miles from town. White Settlements were sparse and the country still suspect to Indian Raids so Elder Ross rode horseback to his appointments, carrying his bible and six-shooter buckled around his waist. When he rose to preach, his pistols were placed within easy reach of his hand. With his bible before him, he preached.

1866-1875- First Baptist Church met in different homes and other places. Part of the time the congregation met in the court house, school house, or Odd Fellows Building.

1875- The congregation bought one-half block of property on which to erect a church building. This first church building took several years to complete. Everyone was poor, but they gave and gave again. The 32x48 foot building went up slowly. Elder Ross was pastor during this time.

1899- A new wooden church building was built at a cost of $75,000. The old bell from the original church was moved and installed in the new one. This second church was located on the corner of Tarleton and Paddock streets. J. B. Fletcher was pastor at this time.

1923- By now the membership numbered 1,000. Under the leadership of S. B. Culpepper, the church began the largest undertaking of its 70 years of history. The cornerstone fo the first brick church house was laid by the deacons. At this ceremony the Tarleton College Band played “Higher Ground.” The dedication of the completed $100,000, debt-free building took place on Sunday, March 29, 1926.

1945- H. Marshall Smith was pastor. The church established a mission on N. Race St. This donated property was valued at $6,000.The mission is now Calvary Baptist Church. Later First Baptist established Riverside Mission which is now Riverside Baptist Church. Also, in 1945 the church helped in the establishment of the Baptist Student Center at Tarleton. This was Located on Tarleton Avenue.

1952- Dr. Felix M. Gresham was pastor from 1951 to 1955. In 1952 the present Education Building was completed at a cost of $130,000.l
1955- Emil V. Becker was called as pastor. He preached his first sermon on Mother's Day, 1955. Under his dedicated service of 31 years, the church continued to grow and was known as a mission minded church, strongly supportive of the cooperative program.

1977- Our present sanctuary was dedicated in August of 1977.

1986- In November of 1986 Dr. Dan K. Murray became pastor. Under his visionary leadership our church has continued to grow and move forward in the work of the Lord.

For more history, read the History of the First Baptist Church 1856-1989 as compiled by the History Committee