First Baptist Church of Ladonia

Ladonia's Baptists trace their history to 1859, when the Rev. Robert Cooke Buckner began traveling from Paris, Texas to Ladonia to preach monthly services. On January 8, 1860 the congregation formally organized as the First Baptist Church. The Rev. A. J. Moffat became the first pastor. Before the congregation built its first church building in 1877, services were held in a combination church/schoolhouse, where worshipers used split logs for seats for several years. The congregation became actively involved in both Baptist affairs and missionary endeavors early in its development. In 1867, Ladonia was the site of the Baptist convention of eastern Texas, though attendance was somewhat low due to a yellow fever outbreak. However, the next year Ladonia continued hosting other Baptist events and participating in local, county, and regional association meetings. As early as 1869, women's groups were active in local missionary programs, and at the turn of the century the congregation as a whole began to support a nearby orphanage as well as foreign missions. Throughout its history, the First Baptist Church of Ladonia has played an important role in the religious life of this community.

First Baptist Church of Ladonia is a historical marker in Ladonia, Fannin County, dedicated in 1991. It is one of 109 historical markers documented in Fannin County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 262 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.4252, -95.9427 near Ladonia. The nearest cataloged historic site is Bethel Lodge No. 134 A. F. & A. M. (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Ladonia Cemetery, Ladonia, and Ladonia.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5147008876. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.