First Baptist Church of Rockdale

The community of Rockdale sprang up around a railroad camp in 1873. The Rev. B. B. Baxter arrived in 1874 and established a Baptist church with 18 charter members. The Rev. Mr. Baxter conducted services in a room above a dry goods store shared with other denominations. He was succeeded by the Rev. Vandevere, on the 18 chartered members, in 1876. At the urging of rival leader W. E. Penn and the Rev. Dr. J. H. Stripling, a simple structure was erected for worship services in 1881. A new building was erected on this site in 1919. The church grew steadily; a Latin American mission established in the 1950s became a full southern baptist church complex was built in 1972. The congregation remains active in community service and missionary work. (1999)

First Baptist Church of Rockdale is a historical marker in Rockdale, Milam County, dedicated in 1999. It is one of 88 historical markers documented in Milam County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 151 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.6573, -96.9996 near Rockdale. The nearest cataloged historic site is George Sessions Perry (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Matinee Musical Club, The Kay Theater, and Site of Mundine Hotel.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5331012154. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.