First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church of Rockdale

The community of Rockdale sprang up around a railroad

camp in 1873. The Rev. B. B. Baxter arrived in 1874

and established a Baptist Church with 18 Charter

Members. The Rev. Mr. Baxter conducted services in a

room above a Dry Goods store shared with other

denominations. He was succeeded by the Rev.

Vandevere, one of the 18 Charter Members, in 1876. At

the urging of Revival leader W. E. Penn and the Rev.

Dr. J. M. Stripling, a simple structure was erected

for worship services in 1881. A new building was

erected on this site in 1919. The Church grew

steadily; a Latin American Mission established in the

1950s, became a Full Southern Baptist Church in 1966.

A new First Baptist Church complex was built in 1972.

The Congregation remains active in community service

and Missionary work.

240 Green Street

Rockdale, TX 76567

Erected 1999