History of the First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas Page: 5
31 p. illus. 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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Organization
During this period of growth there came to Austin
Rev. R. H. Taliaferro, who, though a Kentuckian, was
a Missionary under appointment of the American Baptist
Missionary Union of New York.
Brother Taliaferro found a few faithful Baptists
who were anxious to form themselves into a church
that they might better honor God and serve their
community. Accordingly in 1847, in July I have been
told, the First Baptist Church of Austin, Texas, began
to exist. All accounts agree that there were seven
members; but I have before me three different lists of
these members. All lists include Mr. Taliaferro and
Mr. Alfred Grooms; Mrs. Sarah Brown is mentioned
in two. The other names mentioned are Wm. Custard,
Jane Tannehill, S. M. H. Washington and Mrs. J. M.
Harrell in Mr. Frank Brown's list; W. B. Burdette and
wife, Chas. Walker and wife and Mrs. Jane Grooms in
a list given by Mr. John F. Smith at the fiftieth anniversary
meeting of the church, and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson
Harrell and Mr. Joseph Harrell in another list
furnished by Mrs. Wingfleld, a member of Mrs. Sarah
Brown's family. It seems probable, however, that,
though Mr. Joseph Harrell was a most active member
in very early days, he was away in Tennessee at the
time of organization.
This tiny church held its meetings at first in the
capitol building. Afterward it worshiped in a frame
house which stood on Twelfth Street, the southwest
corner at the intersection of the present Twelfth and
Lavaca Streets. This building was used also by the
Masons and likely for other purposes. This structure
was afterward burned, and it is presumed the earliest
church records were destroyed with it. Later, it is
said, the church moved to the third story of the
Lamar Moore building, the present Queen Theatre, 700
Congress Avenue. Here they probably stayed until
they built a church house.
-5--
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Brooks, Mrs. V. L. History of the First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas, book, 1923; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth33019/m1/6/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.