“Commit thy way unto the Lord; truth also in Him; and, He shall bring it to pass” Psalms 37:5
The chorus “ Lord, make me a living sanctuary for Thee” captured the essence of those faithful present on Sunday, November 6, 1859, as First Baptist Church was constituted.
With a profound sense of history and anticipation of the future, November 2013 marks the church’s 154th anniversary. Bro. David Park now serves as interim pastor.
First Baptist Church is a musical church. In the early 1900s, at the WMU meeting, if no piano was available, the group sang “Bringing in the Sheaves” accompanied by the Victrola. In May 1902, Miss Mary Alexander was organist as the Baptist Young People’s Union sang “Savior Lead Me Lest I Stray.”
On February 20, 1948, the Young People’s Day Program featured Shirley Bess Neill, Tinnie Pearl, Gordon Lee Bagby, Evelyn McFarlin, Joyce Beaver, Margaret Ann Singleton, Homer Page, and Patricia Olford. In 1949, Chorister for Sunday School was Billy Lehr.
At the May 13, 1956 meeting of the youth fellowship, Pat Meeks song leader, accompanied by pianist Joan Bigden, opened with song and the news… “everyone was very glad to hear that Hays County was voted dry!” In 1957, Ginny McFarlin helped as Music Director, with song leader Mr. McFarlin.
In 1959, Angie Smith served as pianist, Gladys Bigden as organist, and Claire Gloor and Linda Martin as choir directors. In 1966, Carolyn Walden played the organ and Bill Harrell led the singing.
Choir directors have included Claire Gloor, Bill Harrell, George Covin, Vickie Pautz, Mike Brotzman, Rachael Wheat, Carlton Pridgeon, and Tim Kemps.
Serving as pianists/organist have been Ruth Buckner, Margaret Meeks, Patricia Meeks, Claire Gloor, Angie Smith, Joan Bigden, Vickie Pautz, Carol Davidson, Gladys Bigden, Pat Percival, Carolyn Walden, Kristen Johnson, and Karen Wagenfehr.
Using instruments have been Medora Posey with piano and accordion; Gladys Bigden, Julie Pautz, Betty Courtney violinists; Lucy Courtney and Harley Bowman guitars; Josh Gillis piano.
Providing praise music have been Darrell and Charissa Fishbeck, Cressent Nickes, Karen Murrah, Robert Holmes, Steven Laumer, the Gillis Brothers--Josh, Paul, and David, Daniel Culpepper, Trevor McGuire, Issac Sanchez, Todd Hartman, Brian Keresztury, the Whites-- Trey, Malachi, Elizah, Stan Gillespie, Emily Blackburn, Jessie Troublefield, Laura and Robert Flint, Rachelle Willgren, Carlton Pridgeon, Rhonda Norville.
The Jubilee Singers, Jeanne Coburns, Judy Dorsett, and Betty Courtney and the trio of Charissa Fishbeck, Andrea Bailey and Rebecca Latham blessed all of Central Texas.
Children’s Choir programs under the direction of Vickie Pautz and other volunteers include Adam’s Apple, Fish Tales, and Amerikids.
The milestones of the Church’s pilgrimage serve as reminders of victories to come.
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