First Baptist Church of Paris

In 1854, the Rev. Willis M. Pickett and six charter members formed the Union Baptist Church of Paris. Remaining in its original location, the church grew dramatically, eventually becoming First Baptist Church. Many prominent Baptist leaders have pastored the church, including the Rev. Robert Cooke Buckner, who, while at Paris, developed interests in outreach to orphans that led to Buckner Baptist Benevolences. He also led the church to create an early Sunday School program. The 1895 church building was razed in the 1916 fire that swept through Paris. The congregation has a distinguished record of service in local and foreign missions, and has sponsored the formation of several churches. (2004)

First Baptist Church of Paris is a historical marker in Paris, Lamar County, dedicated in 2004. It is one of 46 historical markers documented in Lamar County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 89 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.6596, -95.5545 near Paris. The nearest cataloged historic site is Buckner, Robert Cooke (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Paris Fire Department, Central Presbyterian Church, and First United Methodist Church of Paris.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5277013063. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.