First Baptist Church of Kennard

In October 1903, approximately fourteen men and women organized the First Baptist Church of Kennard. The congregation selected four trustees: Dr. T.M. Sherman, George W. Willis, M.B. Matchett and Hugh P. English, who served the church in many capacities throughout his life. On October 23, the trustees purchased land upon which to build a one-room structure to be used as a place of worship. Kennard's First Baptist congregation held church services once or twice a month for several years, utilizing shared or traveling pastors. Members called the Rev. W.P. Lott in 1945. He served as the church's first full-time pastor but soon split his time between the Kennard congregation and one in nearby Ratcliff. During his years in Kennard, Lott's wife organized a Women's Missionary Union for the congregation. Over the years, the congregation has constructed new facilities and provided parsonage housing for its ministers. Throughout the 1960s, the church took an active role in campaigning against the sale of liquor and pari-mutuel horseracing. It maintained an active community presence in the 1970s, when it established a lay school of evangelism and began a local outreach program. As the congregation approached its centennial year, it continued to grow, strengthening its music and youth programs and creating a college scholarship fund. First Baptist Church remains an important religious institution in the community of Kennard. (2006)

First Baptist Church of Kennard is a historical marker in Kennard, Houston County, dedicated in 2006. It is one of 185 historical markers documented in Houston County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 361 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.3592, -95.1818 near Kennard. The nearest cataloged historic site is Kennard (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Rosenwald School, New Hope Cemetery, and Hagerville Community.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507013468. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.