First Baptist Church of Mart (THC #5309001652)

The Rev. Thomas D. Suttle (1840-1900) and 18 Baptists assembled on April 28, 1878, under a large elm tree at the present site of Mart City Cemetery (1 mi. SE). There they organized the first church in the town of Mart, originally named Willow Springs. Near the tree, the fellowship built a church which also served as a schoolhouse. Burials in the adjacent cemetery began in 1880. During the pastorate of the Rev. B.F. Tatum (1853-1928), 1889-96 and 1899-1900, membership almost quadrupled. In 1893 the church moved to Navarro Avenue and in 1906 to the present location. (1977)

First Baptist Church of Mart is a historical marker in Mart, McLennan County, dedicated in 1977. It is one of 198 historical markers documented in McLennan County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 224 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.5432, -96.8323 near Mart. The nearest cataloged historic site is Watson Feed Store (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include First Baptist Church of Mart, Evergreen, and Battle Cemetery and Community.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5309001652. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.