DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker says about the First Baptist Church of Port Neches, down in Jefferson County. Now settle in, because this one starts small — real small — and grows into something worth knowing about. October of 1910.
Port Neches didn't yet have a Baptist church to call its own. What it had was twelve people with enough conviction to change that, and a one-room schoolhouse willing to lend its walls to the cause. Twelve charter members.
You want their names? Because they deserve to be said out loud. Mr. and Mrs.
John Livingston. Mr. Horace Livingston.
Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Rachford.
Mr. and Mrs. D.A. Bibbs.
Mr. and Mrs. Gillie Peveto. Mr.
Arthur K. Peveto. Mrs.
Abbie Block. And Mr. Ollie Williams.
Twelve souls in a schoolhouse. That's where it began. Now, a congregation needs more than borrowed walls, and in 1914 Mrs.
R.E. Rachford donated a piece of property — the corner of Dearing Street and Avenue B — for the church's first real building. They didn't rush it.
That first building wasn't completed until 1917. Then came W.H. Fortney, who in 1918 became the church's first full-time pastor.
And during his tenure, that original frame building was removed from the property to make way for something bigger, something more permanent — a brick sanctuary, completed in 1927. Now here's where the story takes a hard turn. January 10, 1940.
A devastating fire destroyed that 1927 structure. Everything gone. And I do mean everything — all the early church records, lost right along with it.
Nearly thirty years of history, turned to ash. A congregation could have scattered after something like that. Instead, they built again.
A replacement frame building went up on the same site in 1941. But the people of First Baptist were already looking ahead. By 1946 the congregation voted to purchase property on Magnolia Avenue, and after years of planning and preparation, services were first held at that new location in June of 1957.
From twelve people in a schoolhouse to a church with sunday school, vacation bible school, youth activities, bible study, adult and student mission trips — and for fourteen years, from 1969 to 1983, sponsorship of Woodcrest Mission. They've supported new churches too, carrying that founding energy outward. Expansion and renovations over the years have kept the church growing right along with the community it serves.
Today, First Baptist Church of Port Neches still stands as a spiritual and social beacon — to its own congregants, and to others throughout Port Neches and the surrounding areas. Twelve people in a schoolhouse. You just never know where a thing like that is going to go.
What the marker says
This Baptist church, the first in Port Neches, organized in October of 1910. Twelve charter members held Baptist services in a one-room schoolhouse. These church founders were Mr. & Mrs. John Livingston, Mr. Horace Livingston, Mr. & Mrs. R.E. Rachford, Mr. & Mrs. D.A. Bibbs, Mr. & Mrs. Gillie Peveto, Mr. Arthur K. Peveto, Mrs. Abbie Block and Mr. Ollie Williams. In 1914, Mrs. R.E. Rachford donated property at the corner of Dearing Street and Avenue B for the construction of the church’s first building, which was completed in 1917. W.H. Fortney became the church’s first full-time pastor in 1918, and during his tenure, the frame building was removed from the property to make way for a newer, larger brick sanctuary that was completed in 1927. A devastating fire destroyed the 1927 structure on January 10, 1940, and all early church records were lost. A replacement frame building was constructed on the site in 1941, but the congregation voted to purchase property on Magnolia Avenue in 1946; services were first held at the new location in June, 1957. Church programs include sunday school, vacation bible school, youth activities and bible study. Expansion and renovations to the church plant have allowed the church to continue its mission in the community. Adult and student mission trips, sponsorship of Woodcrest Mission (1969-1983), and support of new churches are part of the mission emphasis of the church. Today, First Baptist Church of Port Neches continues to serve as a spiritual and social beacon to its congregants and to others in Port Neches and surrounding areas.