First Baptist Church of Karnes City

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'm gonna give it to you straight. Back in 1894, two things happened in Karnes County at almost the same moment. The town of Karnes City became the county seat, fresh and brand new, and right alongside that, The Reverend J.

D. Walker founded a missionary church that would grow into the First Baptist Church of Karnes City. Now, nobody knows for certain where those first services were held, but the thinking is they gathered in the school building, making do with what the young town had to offer.

That's the kind of congregation this was from the very start. patient, resourceful, and rooted. Five years on, in 1899, they built something the whole town would lean on. The first church building in all of Karnes City.

First Baptist put it up, and here's the thing, they didn't keep it to themselves. Other denominations shared that building until they got around to building their own church houses. The only house of worship in town, and they opened the door.

When it came time for baptisms, well, there was no indoor font to speak of. Once or twice a year, the congregation made their way to the San Antonio River, or out to a stock tank on a nearby ranch, and the sacrament was carried out right there under the Texas sky. As the membership grew, so did the programs.

A Women's Missionary Society, a youth group, Sunday School, a Sunbeam Band. They helped establish mission churches out in the surrounding area. They ran a local radio program that reached folks across the region for many years.

And through it all, they kept building. A parsonage, an auditorium, a fellowship hall, an education building, additions and improvements added through the years to keep up with a congregation that just kept growing. Over a hundred years of support, education, and spiritual guidance for the people of that corner of Texas.

Started the same year Karnes City itself got its footing, and still standin'. Some things, it turns out, are built to last.

What the marker says

This congregation was founded as a missionary church by The Rev. J. D. Walker in 1894, the same year the new town of Karnes City became the county seat of Karnes County. It is thought that early worship services were held in the school building. The first church building in Karnes City was the First Baptist Church erected in 1899. Other denominations shared the church building until they built their own church houses. Early baptismal services, held once or twice yearly, were administered in the San Antonio River or in a stock tank on a nearby ranch. As the membership grew, programs were added including a Womens' Missionary Society, youth group, Sunday School, and Sunbeam Band. The church helped to establish mission churches in the area. A local radio program also served the area for many years. Several property and facility additions and improvements were completed through the years to accommodate the needs of the congregation, including a parsonage, auditorium, fellowship hall, and education building. The First Baptist Church continues to provide support, education and spiritual guidance for the area as it has for over 100 years.