Menard County Texas

Baptist Church

Menard Messenger
January 13, 1916

Building of The Baptist Church Progressing Nicely

The contract for the new Baptist church was let last week by bids, W. O. Kirchner securing the contract. Work was begun at once and Mr. Kirchner expects to have the new church completed by February if the weather is favorable.

Menard Messenger
June 18, 1936

Baptist Church of Menard Founded in October, 1879

A group of five men and two women organized the first Baptist church on October 12, 1879. These charter members were: F. M. Kitchens, John and Mary Sheen, J. A. Kitchens, Callie Dexter, and their first pastor, Z. M. Wells.

Rev. Wells had preached in various places in the surrounding country, and on October 13, 1879, the church authorized him to open the doors of the church for reception of members. During the first year, four more members were added to their role. Callie Dexter was the first to be received into the membership on statement.

Rev. S. C. Wilkinson preached the first sermon in this church on the second Sunday in December of 1879 on the subject "The Lord's Supper."

F. M. Kitchens, A. B. Wyatt and Z. M. Wells were appointed to draw up a code of rules and laws in January of 1880. The first rule, in a way, covers all the others. It reads, "The church is not to make laws but to minister and obey those laws which Christ has given in the Testament." Twenty-five other laws were drawn up.

The present church was erected in 1916. The ground was given by Mary Sheen. For a number of years pervious to the building of the new church, the Sunday School met in the tabernacle that was build on the ground that the church now occupies.

On September 1, 1936, the pastor, Stephen W. Miller assumed care of the church. He is the eleventh pastor to have charge of the church since it's founding.

NOTE: While I strive for accuracy in all transcriptions, please be advised that typing errors may be present. I would suggest you always verify my online information with a copy of the actual record.

All contents of this web site are the property of Alicia Brown unless otherwise noted. You are free to copy or print out pieces of information for your personal genealogical research, but nothing on this site may be used in other ways without my permission.

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Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:00 AM