First Baptist Church of Waco

Organized in 1851 by the Rev. Noah Byars and charter members, the First Baptist Church of Waco worshipped in the meetinghouse of the First Methodist Church until their own sanctuary was built at fourth and Mary Streets in 1857. It was destroyed by fire in 1877 and was replaced by a larger building. The present house of worship was erected on this site in 1907. Historic figures affiliated with First Baptist Church have included five generals of the Confederacy, former Governor of Texas Pat M. Neff, and Dr. B.H. Carroll, pastor from 1871 to 1899 and later founder of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Dr. J.M. Dawson, pastor from 1915 to 1946, resigned to become the first executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. From 1886, when Baylor University moved to Waco from Independence, Texas, the university and First Baptist Church have enjoyed close association. Every Baylor president since 1886 has maintained active membership here. Many of the faculty, administration, and student body of Baylor University traditionally have provided vital links in the fellowship. Several Baptist churches in Waco owe their origins to former members of this congregation.

First Baptist Church of Waco is a historical marker in Waco, McLennan County, dedicated in 1981. 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 31.5532, -97.1281 near Waco. The nearest cataloged historic site is Waco University (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Fort House, Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company Building, and Waco Drug Company.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5309001681. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.