First Baptist Church of Clarksville

Kentucky minister W. M. Pickett and seven charter members organized this congregation in 1847. The devoted group of Baptists endured nearly impassable roads, inclement weather, and a scattered population and built their first sanctuary in 1850 on a site which later became the Clarksville Cemetery. A second sanctuary was built in Clarksville in 1885. The congregation continued to grow and in an effort led by Louis E. Finney built its third sanctuary in 1905 at this site. About that time the congregation organized a Sunday School, a young people's union, and an intermediate girls society know as "The Ida Taylor Missionary Society." In 1919 the church was recognized for the substantial financial support it lent to the Southern Baptist Convention's campaign to evangelize the South. The congregation continued its missionary efforts by organizing in 1951 what was to become Clarksville's self-sustaining College Avenue Baptist Church. The congregation built a new sanctuary at this site in 1959; additional church facilities have been added over the years. First Baptist continues to be active in missionary work and in providing religious guidance and outreach programs for the community. (1994) SUPPLEMENTAL PLATE: First Baptist Church moved from 501 South Walnut to this location in October 2010.

First Baptist Church of Clarksville is a historical marker in Clarksville, Red River County, dedicated in 1994. It is one of 39 historical markers documented in Red River County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 106 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.6198, -95.0722 near Clarksville. The nearest cataloged historic site is Fairground Cemetery (cemetery), about 0.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Fairview, St. Paul Methodist Church, and Thompson, Andrew.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5387010875. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.