First Baptist Church of Lampasas

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to honor every word. This is the story of the First Baptist Church of Lampasas, and it goes back about as far as the town itself goes. That's the first thing worth sittin' with for a moment.

The year was 1856, and two things came into being at the same time: the town and county of Lampasas were created, and a congregation was organized that would one day be known as the First Baptist Church of Lampasas. Back then, they went by a different name altogether. Sulphur Springs Baptist Church.

And one of the earliest settlers in the whole area, a man by the name of Moses Hughes, was instrumental in getting that congregation off the ground. You don't hear his name much anymore, but without him the story starts differently. The first pastor was the Reverend Richard Howard, born in 1817, a native of South Carolina, and a man who wasn't content to tend just one flock.

He was active in the establishment of several pioneer Texas churches. He was that kind of preacher. The kind who builds things.

He served until 1882, and that is a long stretch of frontier ministry by any measure. The congregation's first sanctuary was built along Sulphur Creek, and it served them well enough until 1872, when a new building went up at the corner of Main and Fourth streets. That seemed to do the job.

For a while. By the late 1880s, the church had grown enough that a larger facility was needed, and they broke ground on a new building at Third and Key streets. Now here is where the story gets a little human.

A lack of funds caused delays. The building sat partially built, half a church, waiting. It stayed that way clear into the 1890s.

Then came the Reverend J. M. Carroll, and things started moving again.

Under his direction, local residents donated property to the church. The land was sold, and the funds from that sale were used to finally complete the building. The congregation finished what they had started.

And they worshipped there. Until 1937, when a fire destroyed the structure. They built again, on the same site.

Because that is what this congregation does. Since the earliest days of the city, the First Baptist Church of Lampasas has been an active leader in civic development, missions, and Baptist associational work. Many prominent pastors and community leaders have been associated with it over the years.

It was born the same year Lampasas was born, and it has never stopped building.

What the marker says

Originally known as Sulphur Springs Baptist Church, this congregation was organized in 1856, the same year the town and county of Lampasas were created. Moses Hughes, one of the earliest settlers in the area, was instrumental in the church's formation. The first pastor was the Rev. Richard Howard (1817-82), a native of South Carolina who was active in the establishment of several pioneer Texas churches. A sanctuary built along Sulphur Creek served the congregation until 1872 when a new building was constructed at Main and Fourth streets. By the late 1880s a larger facility was needed and a new building was begun at Third and Key streets. A lack of funds caused delays and it remained partially built until the 1890s. Under the direction of the Rev. J. M. Carroll, local residents donated property to the church. Funds from the sale of the land were used to complete the building. A fire destroyed the structure in 1937 and new facilities were built on the same site. Since the earliest days of the city, the First Baptist Church of Lampasas has been an active leader in civic development, missions, and Baptist associational work. Many prominent pastors and community leaders have been associated with the congregation. (1981)