First Baptist Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Way back on December 21, 1890, seven people gathered with a purpose. Seven.

That's all it took to plant what would become the First Baptist Church of Canyon, out there in Randall County. The charter members were Mr. and Mrs. L.

G. Conner, a Mr. and Mrs. Ingram, Mr. and Mrs.

L. J. Pirtle, and Mrs.

F. M. Pope.

Seven souls, and their first pastor was the Reverend Whatley. Now, you might think seven people and one preacher isn't much of a foundation. But you'd be underestimating what a determined congregation can do on the High Plains of Texas.

Nine years after that first meeting, they built Canyon's very first church edifice. The first. In a town that had none before.

That was 1899, and it stood as proof that those seven charter members had not been dreaming small. Then came 1929, and they set their sights even higher, breaking ground on the present structure. Now, here's where the story gets a little harder to tell lightly.

The work began in 1929, and then the national Depression of the 1930s rolled in like a norther that just wouldn't quit. That building did not go up easy. It went up in spite of everything the decade could throw at it, finished only after the nation had wrestled through some of its darkest years.

But finished it was. And the congregation didn't stop there, not by a long stretch. They organized and built a Latin-American mission.

They initiated a Bible Chair at West Texas State University. They erected an activity building and the High Plains Assembly Grounds. Over the years, many West Texas State University faculty members became active leaders in this very church.

Seven charter members in 1890 who couldn't have known any of that was coming. But they showed up on December 21st, and they started. Sometimes that's the whole story right there.

What the marker says

Organized Dec. 21, 1890, with seven charter members: Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Conner, a Mr. and Mrs. Ingram, Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Pirtle, Mrs. F. M. Pope. First pastor was The Rev. Whatley. Congregation built Canyon's first church edifice, 1899. Present structure, begun in 1929, was finished after national Depression of the 1930s. First Baptist Church organized and built Latin-American mission; initiated Bible Chair at West Texas State University; erected activity building, High Plains Assembly Grounds. Many W.T.S.U. faculty members have been active leaders in this church. (1970)