DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the First Baptist Church of Plainview. Now settle in, because this is a story about a little congregation that just flat refused to stop growing. It all started on November 23, 1890 — eleven charter members, that's all.
Eleven people gathered together to organize what they called the Plainview Baptist Church. You've heard of small beginnings? That's about as small as it gets.
But they called a pastor right away — the Reverend I.B. Kimbrough — and before long they had erected their first church building right there at the intersection of Austin and Fourth streets. Eleven people.
One pastor. One building. And a whole lot of Plainview still ahead of them.
Now, the marker tells us that the growth of this church closely paralleled the growth of the city itself. And Plainview had some growing to do. A branch of the Santa Fe Railroad was built through town in 1907, and around that same time the area's very first irrigation well was dug.
The city grew considerably, and that little congregation grew right along with it. By 1911, the church had taken out a state charter, and with it came a new name — First Missionary Baptist Church of Plainview. Programs for local members were expanded, and the congregation reached beyond its own walls, actively supporting both domestic and foreign missionary activities.
But growth has a way of demanding more space. And so, in 1927, they built the very building we're talking about right now — a Classical Revival sanctuary with two entry porticos, a cast stone cornice, and a classical pediment. Something designed to last.
Then, in 1929, the name changed one final time to First Baptist Church of Plainview — the name it carries to this day. And still the congregation kept growing. Adjacent property was acquired over the years, additional facilities went up, and in 1950 the Memorial Educational Building joined the complex.
Eleven charter members on a November day in 1890. What they set in motion is still standing — in brick, in stone, and in the life of a city that grew right alongside them.
What the marker says
Organized on November 23, 1890, Plainview Baptist Church began with eleven charter members. The new congregation called the Rev. I.B. Kimbrough as pastor, and they soon erected their first church building at the intersection of Austin and Fourth streets. The growth of the church closely paralleled that of the city, which grew considerably after a branch of the Santa Fe Railroad was built through town in 1907 and the area's first irrigation well was dug. In a 1911 state charter the church was named First Missionary Baptist Church of Plainview. Programs for local church members were expanded, and the congregation actively supported domestic and foreign missionary activities. Continued growth led to the construction of this building in 1927, and the name was changed once again in 1929 to First Baptist Church of Plainview. This Classical Revival sanctuary features two entry porticos, a cast stone cornice, and classical pediment. Continued growth over the years led to the acquisition of adjacent property and the construction of additional church facilities, including the Memorial Educational Building in 1950. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1990