TX-1640 First Baptist Church of Jacksboro

Marker text: FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF JACKSBORO

United States soldiers still manned nearby Fort Richardson when this church was organized with seven charter members in 1875. The congregation met in the Masonic Lodge hall and county courthouse before erecting their first church building in 1889. One pastor, the Reverend Rice C. Farmer, was largely responsible for the location of North Texas Baptist College in Jacksboro, 1891-1897. The second church building was erected in 1906, the third in 1928-1959. The Rev. Alvin R. Bilberry (b. 1885) served the longest term as pastor here, 1925-1952. (1976)