THE FIRST BAPTIST STORY
On November 8, 1885, a group of thirteen committed Christians gathered at Copperas Cove, Texas, to bring about the birth of a new Baptist Church. Reverend J.F. Baker, who traveled over the country by horseback, leading in the organization of Baptist churches, was called as the first pastor. The first church site was a small two-room former school building located at the end of East Avenue E. In 1890, the church purchased the property on the corner of W. Avenue B and 3rd Street from the Santa Fe Railroad Company for the nominal sum of one dollar.
In 1907, the church voted to construct a new building on this property. The Church's Ladies Aid Society rented a piece of ground to cultivate and grow cotton to raise to help pay for the construction. That building is the Rock Building, which still stands on the east end of our campus. In 1913, the church built a "hitching rack" for the horses, and in 1916, gas lamps were installed in the building. From these humble and faith-filled beginnings, the congregation has continued to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in the city through the changing times and circumstances for 140 years. Over these years, countless people have been led to Christ as Savior, baptized, and taught to follow Him as disciples. The church's reach has extended not only to Copperas Cove, but also to the entire world, as we have helped establish other churches and sent numerous members from our congregation to serve as ministers and missionaries.
The original 1885 Church Constitution, signed by the 13 charter members, states the commitment "To labor and give of our earthly means to supply the needs of the poor and to support a faithful ministry in our midst and to carry the gospel to every creature." This remains the heartbeat of our congregation today.
In 1907, the church voted to construct a new building on this property. The Church's Ladies Aid Society rented a piece of ground to cultivate and grow cotton to raise to help pay for the construction. That building is the Rock Building, which still stands on the east end of our campus. In 1913, the church built a "hitching rack" for the horses, and in 1916, gas lamps were installed in the building. From these humble and faith-filled beginnings, the congregation has continued to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in the city through the changing times and circumstances for 140 years. Over these years, countless people have been led to Christ as Savior, baptized, and taught to follow Him as disciples. The church's reach has extended not only to Copperas Cove, but also to the entire world, as we have helped establish other churches and sent numerous members from our congregation to serve as ministers and missionaries.
The original 1885 Church Constitution, signed by the 13 charter members, states the commitment "To labor and give of our earthly means to supply the needs of the poor and to support a faithful ministry in our midst and to carry the gospel to every creature." This remains the heartbeat of our congregation today.
