DUANE
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Duane's take
Here's how the marker tells it, and I'm just along for the ride. Way back on November 6, 1859, a small group of folks in Blanco gathered together and did something that tends to outlast almost everything else: they started a church. The First Baptist Church of Blanco came into being that day, organized under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Silliman and the Reverend Joseph Bird, who would live from 1821 all the way to 1909. Five charter members. That's it.
Five people, a preacher, and a purpose. Now, you might think five members and a brand-new congregation would need a place of their own right away. But these Baptists were practical folks.
For decades, they shared a union church with the local Methodist and Church of Christ congregations. Three different flocks, one building. I imagine Sunday mornings required some coordination.
That arrangement held until 1902, when the Baptists purchased land and built themselves a frame sanctuary. Their own walls, their own roof. Then that building gave way to a new one in 1951, and the congregation wasn't done yet.
In 1975, they built a new facility right here at this site. Through all of it, through shared walls and new construction and the long stretch of years between 1859 and the day you're driving past, the First Baptist Church of Blanco kept its focus on two things: worship programs and missionary activities. Five charter members planted something that just kept on growin.
What the marker says
Led by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Silliman and the Rev. Joseph Bird (1821-1909), this congregation was organized on November 6, 1859, with five charter members. Worship services were held in a union church shared with the local Methodist and Church of Christ congregations until 1902, when the Baptists purchased land and built a frame sanctuary. It was replaced in 1951, and the congregation built a new facility at this site in 1975. Throughout its history, the First Baptist Church of Blanco has emphasized worship programs and missionary activities. (1991)