First Baptist Church of Bronte

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Way out in Bronte, Coke County, there's a Baptist church with a story that starts just about as small as a story can start. June 19, 1887.

A visiting minister named W.G. Green, and a congregation of exactly three people. Three.

Now, most preachers might've looked around at those three souls, looked back at the road they rode in on, and had a conversation with themselves about their priorities. But W.G. Green organized a church that day, and what that little congregation lacked in numbers, they apparently made up for in determination.

They met in homes, because that's what you do when you've got three members and a whole lot of faith. Then came 1890, and things started to move. A brush arbor went up, which, if you've never sheltered under one, is exactly what it sounds like: branches and timber overhead, sky peeking through the cracks, and the wind doing whatever it pleased.

And the Reverend R.M. Cumbie was called as the first pastor. Services after that followed the seasons, the way sensible Texas living often does.

Winter meant the community school. Summer meant back under that brush arbor, with the heat and the hymns rising together. By 1901, a Sunday school was organized.

By 1907, they had themselves a real church building, and they dedicated it proper. The congregation kept going, kept growing, kept showing up for their neighbors and for missions beyond Bronte's borders. And in 1951, a new building was completed.

From three people in someone's front room to a standing church with a building to match. That's the story the marker wants you to carry down the road.

What the marker says

Organized by visiting minister W.G. Green and a congregation of three on June 19, 1887, the Baptist church in Bronte met in homes. In 1890 a brush arbor was built and the Rev. R.M. Cumbie was called as first pastor. Services were later held in the community school in winter and the brush arbor in summer. A Sunday school was organized in 1901 and the first church building was dedicated in 1907. A new building was completed in 1951. From its beginning, this church has been involved in missionary and community activities. (1987)