First Baptist Church of Bremond

Duane's take

Here's what the official marker has to say, and I'm going to tell it my way. This is the story of the First Baptist Church of Bremond, Robertson County, Texas. Now, local lore puts the origin of this church all the way back to 1865.

But the earliest written source, the oldest piece of paper anybody could actually put their hands on, says the Bremond Baptist Church was already in existence by 1869. So the truth likely lives somewhere in between, and the church itself was too busy doing its work to worry much about the paperwork. Those first members gathered in vacant store buildings, meeting under the leadership of the Reverend Mr.

Harris. No fancy sanctuary, no stained glass. Just faith and folding chairs, more or less, in whatever empty storefront would have them.

By 1869 or 1870 the church had joined the Waco Baptist Association, and in 1871 a red brick structure went up right here on this site. Solid. Permanent.

The kind of building that says we are not going anywhere. By 1876 the records were calling it the First Missionary Baptist Church of Christ of Bremond, which is a name that takes some breath to say but carries some real conviction with it. Then came 1879, and with a membership of one hundred and forty-eight souls, the congregation began to prosper under the pastorate of the Reverend C.

C. Lee. The following year, 1880, they joined the Little Brazos Association.

Four years after that, they drew up a church covenant. Commitments put to paper. Words meant to hold.

In 1899 they joined the Robertson County Baptist Association, and by 1933 the church was described as well established and deeply invested in community and missionary work. They had come a long way from that vacant store building. Now here is where the story takes a turn.

By June 2, 1945, plans for new facilities were already underway. And that very day, a check arrived. A check to apply toward a new building.

That night, a storm destroyed the roof of the original structure. The old building, the one that had stood since 1871, took the hit the same evening the congregation was already planning to build something new. You could call it a coincidence.

You could call it something else. The congregation called it a reason to get moving. Through insurance, loans from members, and gifts, construction on a modern edifice was completed in 1946.

Church members gave their own money to pay down the debt. Not the bank's money. Their own.

And that tradition of giving has never really stopped. Through missionary projects in Mexico and Brazil, through local community work and interdenominational services and educational support, the First Baptist Church of Bremond keeps on going in the traditions of its founders. A church that started meeting in an empty store building now reaches across two countries.

That little congregation the Reverend Mr. Harris led didn't just put down roots. They put down roots and then kept reaching.

What the marker says

Local lore dates the origin of this church to 1865; however, the earliest written source indicates that a Bremond Baptist Church was in existence by 1869. The first members met in vacant store buildings under the leadership of the Rev. Mr. Harris. In 1869 or 1870 the church joined the Waco Baptist Association. A red brick structure was erected on this site in 1871. An 1876 record lists the church as the First Missionary Baptist Church of Christ of Bremond. With a membership of 148 in 1879, the church began to prosper under the pastorate of the Rev. C. C. Lee. The congregation joined the Little Brazos Association in 1880 and drew up a church covenant four years later. In 1899, the church joined the Robertson County Baptist Association. By 1933 the church was well established and deeply invested in community and missionary work. Plans for new facilities were underway by June 2, 1945, when a check to apply to a new building was received. That night, a storm destroyed the roof of the original structure. Through insurance, loans from members and gifts, construction on a modern edifice was completed in 1946. Church members gave their own monies to defray the church's debt. First Baptist Church members have long been active in worship and service. Through missionary projects in Mexico and Brazil, local community work, interdenominational services, and educational support, the congregation continues in the traditions of its founders.