FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF
FARMERSVILLE
Historical marker, 1977
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
OF FARMERSVILLE
FIFTEEN CHARTER MEMBERS, MEETING UNDER A BRUSH
ARBOR AT THIS SITE ON MAY 14, 1865, ORGANIZED THE FIRST
BAPTIST CHURCH AND CHOSE THE REV. JOHN C. AVERITT (1818 -
1895) AS THE FIRST PASTOR. WORSHIP SERVICES WERE HELD
IN PRIVATE HOMES AND LATER IN THE MASONIC HALL ON
THE EAST SIDE OF THE TOWN SQUARE. AFTER A SUCCESSFUL
INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIVAL, THE BAPTISTS DECIDED TO
ERECT A PERMANENT CHURCH BUILDING. THE CONGREGATION
BOUGHT THE SIDE OF THE OLD BRUSH ARBOR AND IN 1877
BUILT A SIMPLE FRAME CHURCH. A BELL INSTALLED IN THE
STEEPLE HERALDED SPECIAL EVENTS TO THE COMMUNITY.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL REVIVAL IN 1898 EMPHASIZED THE
NEED FOR A LARGER STRUCTURE. MORE LAND WAS ACQUIRED
AND THE PRESENT CHURCH BUILDING CONSTRUCTED IN 1900.
A COMBINATION OF SEVERAL ARCHITECTURAL STYLES, THE
BRICK EDIFICE IS TOPPED BY A ROOF OF PRESSED METAL.
THE EXTERIOR WALLS OF THE SANCTUARY FORM A MULTI-
SIDED PROJECTION FLANKED BY MATCHING TOWERS WITH
STEEPLY PITCHED ROOFS. THE BELL FROM THE 1877 CHURCH
WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE NORTH BELFRY. EDUCATIONAL
BUILDINGS WERE ADDED IN 1938 AND 1955-56.
THIS CONGREGATION PROVIDES MANY COMMUNITY-ORIENTED
SERVICES, INCLUDING A CHURCH -SPONSORED LIBRARY. SEVERAL
WELL-KNOWN BAPTIST LEADERS SERVED AS PASTOR HERE.
Farmersville
Churches Index
- Recommended citation:
- "Farmersville Baptist Church, Collin County Churches," Collin County, Texas History and
Genealogy Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13 13:37:28 US/Central 2004 ]
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