The First Baptist Church was constituted on Sunday, November 6, 1859, with five members. Rev. Bird was it’s first pastor.
A missionary spirit has always prevailed in our church. A former Blanco Baptist Church member, Miss Mary Alexander, served 40 years as a foreign missionary, being imprisoned in China during World War II. At an 1897 camp meeting, Mary and her sister Frances professed their faith in Jesus Christ and were baptized by Rev. M. H. Bell at Red Bluff River. Mrs. J. W. Baines grandmother of President Lyndon B. Johnson was Mary’s first first Sunday School teacher.
Miss Lonella Bell, of the youth group served as the first missionary sent out by the Blanco Baptist Church on a mission in Mexico shortly after 1900.
Over the last twenty years, our youth have gone on several mission trips to Mexico, constructing buildings and holding evening vacation Bible schools.
The church started several Hill Country area churches: Hill Country Church Fair Oaks Ranch, River Valley Church Fellowship in Bastrop, and Revolution Church in Schertz.
In 1915, the WMU packed boxes for Buckner’s Orphans Home; now the ladies serve meals to Baptist students at Texas State University, make baby quilts for mothers in Mexico and for Pregnancy Center in San Marcos.
Some members who have dedicated their lives to ministries include Kenny Moore, retired from North American Mission Board and does church planning. Lee Cage, Captain Vitas Hospice; Ethan Moore, a pastor; Darrell Fishbeck, minister of youth, minister of music, pastor; Eben Gourley, minister young adults; Robert Upshaw, director Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Rick Diefeuderfer, Founder and Director of Creating Christian Communities, with wife Becky founded “All Things Are Possible”, woman’s retreat; Daniel and Michelle Diefeuderfer Seabourn, missionaries; Mike Lyons, pastor; Jeff Latham, pastor; Reese Henry III, minister of youth; Fred and Lee Thompson, founded Shepherding Ministries; Jonathan Wright, Bible translator; Earnestine Kincaid, Highland Lakes Baptist Encampment.
We joyfully thank God for the Opportunities provided for future ministries; we welcome our new pastor Dr. Bill Gernenz.
2 photos attached to this article.
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