TX-13644 First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells

Marker text: FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MINERAL WELLS

First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells, organized in 1882, grew out of an early revival. William Evander Penn, known as the ÒTexas Evangelist,Ó conducted worship services in Palo Pinto County in 1882, and with 54 charter members he established the Mineral Wells Church. It would go on to host additional noted evangelists such as Billy Sunday, Mordecai Ham, Hyman Appleman, Rodney ÒGypsyÓ Smith, and Texans J. Frank Norris and George W. Truett. The Rev. George Webb Slaughter, an early pastor of the church, was also instrumental in its organization. Ordained as a pastor in 1848, Slaughter had earlier served as a courier for Gen. Sam Houston during the Texas Revolution. The congregation first held services in a local schoolhouse before moving into a former Presbyterian church building in 1883. In 1900, members constructed a new church building, which served until 1920, when they built another sanctuary on the same site. In 1967, the congregation built its third house of worship here. Over the years, the First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells has been particularly active in missions and in community outreach. Members have established several mission churches, including East Side Baptist Church (now Calvary Baptist Church) in 1909, Lawn Terrace Baptist Church in 1947 and Bautista Mexicana (now Templo Bautista) in 1959. The congregation also co-sponsored a Cambodian mission at nearby Fort Wolters. Today, as a community and mission-minded institution, the First Baptist Church continues to be a vital part of Mineral Wells. (2006)