Blue Ridge Baptist Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll give it to you straight with a little soul behind it. Blue Ridge Baptist Church, Falls County. Some congregations just endure.

This one was organized in 1859, eleven charter members strong, and worship has been held regularly ever since. Let that sink in. Eleven people showed up, decided this was worth doin, and something took root that never stopped growin.

Among the early missionaries who came out to hold services were Z.N. Morrell and Judge R.E.B. Baylor.

They weren't preachin from grand pulpits, either. They were holding services in settlers' log cabins, wherever folks could gather. Now the land itself has a story to tell.

In 1873, a man named George Harlan deeded twenty-eight acres for a church, a school, and a cemetery. Three purposes, one piece of ground. And that ground has deep roots.

It was part of a grant given by Mexico in 1835 to George's father, Doctor Isaiah Harlan. So the soil underneath Blue Ridge Baptist Church was claimed by one generation, tended by another, and then given over to the community to build something lasting. The first church building did double duty, housing an early school as well.

That's what you do when you're building a community from scratch. Every structure has to carry more than one dream. Then there's the May Day Singing.

Since 1887, the church has sponsored an annual May Day Singing. Annual. Without fail.

Descendants of those original families still attend. Eleven charter members planted something in 1859, and it's still bringing people back. The third sanctuary, the one standing today, was built in 1908.

Same ground that Doctor Isaiah Harlan received in 1835. Same purpose those eleven members showed up for in 1859. Blue Ridge Baptist Church didn't just survive.

It kept singing.

What the marker says

Organized 1859 by 11 charter members; worship held regularly since. Z.N. Morrell and Judge R.E.B. Baylor were among early missionaries holding services in the settlers' log cabins. George Harlan deeded 28 acres for church, school, and cemetery in 1873. Land is part of grant given by Mexico in 1835 to his father, Doctor Isaiah Harlan. The first church building also housed an early school. Church has sponsored annual "May Day Singing" since 1887. Descendants still attend. The third (present) sanctuary was built here in 1908. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970