Walnut Creek Baptist Church

Duane's take

Here's what the official marker has to say, and I'll tell it to you straight with a little something extra in the delivery. Way back in 1867, a congregation came together out in Parker County, and friend, that was no small thing in those days. The Reverend J.C.

Power was leading the way, and when it was time to hold worship services, they didn't wait for fine lumber or stained glass. They gathered in a log cabin. Just four walls, some faith, and a preacher who meant business.

Now, if you think that's modest, hold on; because that congregation was just getting started. Come the 1870s, they built themselves a second log cabin, bigger this time, right on the banks of Walnut Creek, in a community then known as Parker's Shop (you might know it today as Reno). And this cabin pulled double duty: church on Sunday, schoolhouse through the week.

One building doing the work of two, which is a very Texas kind of arrangement. Then in the late 1880s, the congregation made a move south of that second log cabin, and they raised up a proper frame sanctuary. No more rough-hewn walls.

They were putting down roots. Fast forward to 1947, and adjacent property was acquired, and that land has since been the site of several buildings as the church kept pace with a growing congregation. From a single log cabin under the Reverend J.C.

Power, to a frame sanctuary, to a campus that kept right on expandin', Walnut Creek Baptist Church started rural and stayed faithful. That creek's still running, and so are they.

What the marker says

This congregation was organized in 1867. Led by the Reverend J.C. Power, worship services were first held in a log cabin. In the 1870s a larger log cabin, which served as a church and school, was built on the banks of Walnut Creek in the community of Parker's Shop (now Reno). The congregation moved to a site south of the second log cabin in the late 1880s and built a frame sanctuary. Adjacent property was acquired in 1947, and has been the site of several buildings. Beginning as a rural church, Walnut Creek Baptist Church has continued to serve a growing congregation. (1988)