First Baptist Church of Winnsboro

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the First Baptist Church of Winnsboro, up in Wood County. Now settle in, because this congregation has been around long enough to have a few good chapters. It started back in 1872, not yet going by the name you might recognize, but organized as the Providence Baptist Church.

That name held for eight years, and then in 1880 the congregation made a change, taking on the title First Baptist Church. Same year as that name change, they built themselves a small sanctuary nearby. A modest place, but it was theirs.

That building served its purpose, and then in 1904 the congregation moved things up a level, putting up a proper brick building right here at this site. Now, here is where the story gets a little weight to it. In 1907, a prominent Baptist theologian by the name of the Reverend Doctor George W.

Truett came through and held memorable services here. Memorable. That is the word the marker uses, and you do not use that word for a forgettable afternoon.

Whatever happened inside those brick walls that year, people were still talking about it. The years kept rolling, and in 1934 an education building was added to the property. Then 1960 came along, and the congregation replaced that 1904 sanctuary entirely, and since that time other facilities have been acquired as well.

Through all of it, revivals and renovations and everything in between, First Baptist has historically supported local and foreign missions and kept right on providing spiritual guidance to the community. From Providence Baptist in 1872 to everything it became after, this congregation has had a long memory and a lot of Sundays under its belt.

What the marker says

This congregation, organized as the Providence Baptist Church in 1872, changed its name to First Baptist Church in 1880. A small sanctuary built nearby in 1880 was replaced by a brick building at this site in 1904. Prominent Baptist theologian the Rev. Dr. George W. Truett held memorable services here in 1907. An education building was added in 1934. The 1904 sanctuary was replaced in 1960 and since that time other facilities have been acquired. First Baptist has historically supported local and foreign missions and continues to provide spiritual guidance to the community. (1992)