First Baptist Church of Floresville

This congregation was established by the Rev. John Washburn, who came to Texas from Illinois in 1877. He moved to Floresville to become superintendent of the Floresville Academy in May 1878. According to tradition, about 20 charter members attended the organizational meeting of this fellowship on Aug. 25, 1878, at the Wilson County Courthouse. The charter members included County Judge and Mrs. B. F. Ballard, and Mr. and Mrs. O.D. Rhode. A merchant, Rhode opened the second store in town. His wife taught Sunday School in this church for over 60 years. Another early leader, S. Allen Franklin, served as lay preacher on occasion. Worship services were held in the courthouse until 1889. In that year, the congregation bought this property, originally part of eight leagues granted to Juan and Simon Arocha, and erected a simple church building measuring 40 ft. by 60 ft. In 1905 the structure was remodeled and enlarged. A two-story education facility was added in 1916. The original sanctuary was torn down in 1953 and a new church building erected on the same site. A fellowship hall, library, and pastor's study were added in 1973. (1977)

First Baptist Church of Floresville is a historical marker in Floresville, Wilson County, dedicated in 1977. It is one of 46 historical markers documented in Wilson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 101 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.1370, -98.1578 near Floresville. The nearest cataloged historic site is Floresville United Methodist Church (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Wright, Captain Will, Wilson, James Charles, and Flores de Abrego Family and Floresville, The.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5493001631. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.