Refugio Timely Remarks and Refugio County News (Refugio, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, December 14, 1934 Page: 39 of 78
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: The Refugio County Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Dennis M. O’Connor Public Library.
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December 14, 1934
THE REFUGIO TIMELY REMARKS CENTENNIAL EDITION
Page 33
Baptists Hold First Meeting in
1885 in a Grove of Oak Trees
First Church Home Built on Media Creek and
.. Called N-2 Church, That Designation Being the
Brand of one of the Members.
Among those who lived in and
around Refugio about the year 1885
was a group who held to the Baptist
faith, and who could not be satisfied
without a church organization and a
place of worship. Consequently at
about that time they banded them-
selves together and organized original
Refugio Baptist Church, meeting in
a grove of oak trees on the west of
Mission River from the present town-
site. The following names have been
mentioned as some who composed tnis
first Baptist Church: Mr. and Mrs.
Barlow, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Martin,
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, Mr. and Mrs.
Pinkney Miles, Judge and Mrs. Wil-
liams.
Not much could be learned of the
early history of this church. But
after a few years a mew location and
a meeting house were arranged for,
largely under the leadership and
through the help of N. R. McDaniel. A
church building was erected on Media
Creek several miles north of town, on
what later canie to be known as the
Barber place, near the present Idea--
tion of Kelly’s dairy. While still re-
taining the name Refugio Church, this
organization came to be designated
by the people of that, as well as later,
time as the N-2 Church, taking such
designation from the brand of Mr.
McDaniel, who took such a leading
part in the work of the church. After
some years the church again moved
its location, a new building being
erected a mile or so further north, in
the pasture near the Rev. W. A.
Myer’s residence. It had remained
in this location only a comparatively
short time when the building burned.
Then, on account of considerable
shifting of the population, it was de-
cided to move again, this time to the
town of Blanconia, where a new build-
ing was erected. Eventually the
church came to be known as the
Blanconia Baptist Church, which name
it continues to bear.
But in the town of Refugio there
was a group of Baptists who felt the
need of a church nearer home than
the N-2 Church. So along somewhere
in the 70’s a church was organized
here and called the Refugio Central
Church, to distinguish it from the N-2
Church up on the creek. Some of the
charter members of this organization
from the best that could be learned,
were Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Blodgett,
Willie Blodgett, Mr. and Mrs. R. A.
Ezell, Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Russell, Mrs.
J. E. Kelley, Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Smith, and Rev. and Mrs. A. H. Bar-
ber.
Using the school house as a place
of meeting, they early began to make
plans for a building of their own. And
on January 23, 1880, they received a
deed from John H. Fox conveying to
them the plot of ground that the
church still owns and occupies. Al-
most immediately a building was
erected on this lot and served as a
meeting place, not only for the Bap-
tists, but for all other evangelical de-
*-❖
School Head
♦----❖
JOHN L. COOKE.
Coming to Refugio in 1931 as
head of the Refugio public
schools, Mr. Cooke has been in-
strumental in building up one of
the best school systems in South-
west Texas. He is a school man
of proven ability.
nominations, whenever they had serv-
ices, for many years.
Among the items of interest during
thise early days is an incident re-
lated by R. A. Ezell, with reference
to securing funds for the new build-
ing. Mr. Blodgett, who was then
postmaster, bought a large quantity
of bones, dedicating them and the pro-
ceeds therefrom to the church. When
they were marketed, it was learned,
to the amazement and gratitude of
himself and others who were inter-
ested, that the bones brought nearly
double the price which they usually
brought on the market at that time.
This money served as a nueclus for
a building fund and was some of the
first money which went into the new
building at that time.
After a number of years, with serv-
ices held more or less irregularly, the
building was allowed to lapse into a
state of delapidation, continuing to be
used, however, until the erection of
the Presbyterian Church building in
1908, which then became the place of
worship, the privilege of its use being
extended to other demoninations.
About that same time the furniture
and fixtures in the building, being no
longer in regular use, were moved to
the church at Blanconia. The build-
ing remained vacant, except when
used occasionally as a place of storage
by some individuals, until about 1919,
when it was completely demolished
by a storm. Thus the church was
left without a place of worship of its
own, until the present building was
erected in the summer of 1931.
So far as can be learned, however,
the organization was kept intact
all through these years, with services
being had at various intervals, either
by a pastor employed for part time or
by some visiting preacher or mission-
ary who might happen through or be
persuaded to come and hold a series
of services. During most of the time,
even when they were without the
services of a regular pastor, evidences
can be found of a small but heroic
group, sometimes mostly women, who
held on and “kept the home fires
burning,” thus laying the foundation
in the ture spirit of sacrifice and de-
votion, upon which the present work
is budded.
One interesting incident is related
as an illustration of the fidelity of
the few in other days. When the old
building was wrecked by the storm
Mrs. R. Rigby, who was then clerk
and treasurer of the organization, dis-
posed of the wreckage, for the price
of $100. This money was put out on
interest from time to time as the op-
portunity offered itself, and was in-
creased also by the addition of small
amounts raised through the efforts of
the W. M.i U., until, when the present
building was erected, it was found
that there was sufficient on hand in
that fund to purchase and pay for all
the furniture needed in the new
edifice.
From the available records it is
learned that the following have served
as pastors of the church at various
times: A. H. Barber, G. H. M. Wilson,
L, D. Young, C. Thames, S. B. Kim-
ball, E. J. Smith, D. B. South, F. M.
Logan, W. A. Myers, D. C. Smith,
J. A. Howard, E. Donahoe, Ben Da-
vid, Bob Miller and V. G. Garrett, who
is the present pastor. It is only fair
to state that there are others, whose
names could not be ascertained, who
served faithfully and well as pastors,
besides many who have held meetings
here and have meant much in helping
to hold things together, and accom-
plishing what has been done. Among
those of the latter class who have
labored here in more or less recent
years are Thomas W. White, L. R.
Byrd, E. L. Kelly, W. S. Gibbs, L. S.
Cole and others.
It was during the pastorate and un-
der the direction of Rev. Bob Miller,
that the present building was erected,
and the church set out on its renewed
program of growth and development.
Rev. Bob Miller, although serving two
other churches, each half time, found
time to put in considerable time and
effort here, leading the people in the
campaign of raising considerable
money and erecting the building
which had been needed and wanted
for so long a time. In October, 1931,
shortly after the completion of the
new building, Rev. L. S. Cole of Marx,
Miss., was invited to hold a meeting
for the church. This meeting result-
ed in about 35 additions to the church,
and the organization of a Sunday
school and B. Y. P. U.
In the month of November, Rev.
Miller having resigned as pastor of
the church, a call was extended to
Rev. V. G. Garrett of Houston, who
assumed the duties as pastor on De-
cember 1, 1931. Rev. Garrett has
continued as pastor of the church to
the present time G
-——--
All but one of the 10 children of
Isaac Fobes of Leroy, 111., weigh more
than 200 pounds each. w /
Congratulations
To Refugio
It celebrates this year a glorious heritage of which
every Texan is proud.
We, Too, Are to Be
Congratulated
On the fine work done by our more modren col-
onizers of 1907 ,’8 and ’9.
Woodsboro with its splendid agricultural trades
territory has shown a steady and prosperous pro-
gress during its 28 years of existence.
Glad to be serving Refugio and Woodsboro
E. C. THOMAS, Agent
Magnolia Petroleum Company
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Jones, J. L. Refugio Timely Remarks and Refugio County News (Refugio, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, December 14, 1934, newspaper, December 14, 1934; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1098094/m1/39/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Dennis M. O’Connor Public Library.