First Baptist Church

John Bryce (1784-1864), Baptist missionary and secret agent for U. S. President John Tyler during Texas annexation negotiations, and the Rev. George Washington Baines, great-grandfather of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, founded this church shortly before Texas became a state in 1845. Dr. William Evans, Marshall's first physician, and other leaders of the pioneer community were among the twelve charter members. Throughout its history, this fellowship has included men and women who were leaders in the city, state, and Baptist faith. Services were held in a brush arbor or nearby log schoolhouse until 1849, when a church building was erected on this lot, donated by State Legislator James McCown (1808-55). The small frame structure was replaced by a larger building in 1892. Members of this congregation organized the Second Baptist Church in 1904. They also helped establish the College of Marshall in 1912. This junior college later became East Texas Baptist College, a four-year school which is still actively supported by this church. The present sanctuary was constructed in 1953, and the children's building was completed in 1955. A new education building and chapel were erected in 1972, completing the church complex.

First Baptist Church is a historical marker in Marshall, Harrison County, dedicated in 1975. It is one of 102 historical markers documented in Harrison County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 257 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.5460, -94.3708 near Marshall. The nearest cataloged historic site is Stinson, John R., House (historic place), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Fry-Barry House, Gaines, Belle Fry, and Trinity Episcopal Church.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5203010156. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.