by Barbara J. Wood
CHURCHES
History of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs
*A TIME TO SEEK THE LORD ... History of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Wilson County Texas researched and written by Mrs. Barbara J. Wood, June 30, 1996.
FOREWORD.... The occasion of this Historical Resume is the observance of seventy years of chronicles of those who labored toward the building of this body of baptized believers.
It is written for the pleasure and guidance of those who follow. For no matter how rich the heritage, a church can be no better than the generation that holds it in trust.
In the early years of the church, records were kept at the homes of the officers. Twice, homes of the Church Clerk burned destroying the Church Minutes. Therefore, Church records are not available until the year of 1953 with years following being incomplete at times.
I researched and studied material from Church Records available, Annual Associational Minutes, information from church members and other historical passageways.
I am appreciative to my husband, Dewayne, The San Antonio Baptist Association staff, Linda Bright from The South Central Baptist Area Associational Office, The Historical Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, The Texas Baptist Historical Collection, The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, The Sutherland Springs Historical Museum, Rev. Robert Miller of Calvary Baptist Church, Pastor Jeff Weems of The First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Mrs. Lora Adcock, Mrs. Beulah Wilson, Mrs. Virginia Baker, Mrs. Viva Lou Mills and many others who have helped in various ways.
I had hoped to include a biographical sketch of most of the pastors. However, due to lack of information, this could not be.
Occasionally, words and phrases have been used which do not appear good form today. These have been preserved because they are actual transcripts of the writing at the time.
This historical writing may include information of which some may not agree. When there is a conflict in information, I have printed all versions so that the reader may decide.
I have done the best that I could with extensive research from many avenues. It is my desire to have recorded a true history of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
Mrs. Barbara J. Wood
Columnist and Historian
June 30, 1996
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
A TIME TO SEEK THE LORD ..... In the early 1900's, Sutherland Springs was a well-known place. Newspapers, brochures, and folks from all around boasted about her renowned summer and winter resort.
The retreat was promoted foremostly for health reasons. Nature had gloriously flaunted a healing potpourri of redeeming mineral springs, hot and cold.
Although, this is not where the spiritual image of Sutherland Springs begins. One could say that the commencement was with the faith-driven perseverance of religious pioneers in the 1700's.
From the beginning of time, human nature has had the desire to seek and has hoped for a better life. Therefore, a great religious paradigm was introduced with the arrival of Franciscan missionaries and the building of Missions. The Franciscan missionaries came to bring Christianity to the Native American tribes living here. They came to convert them to God.
The Franciscans, the Order of Little Brothers, were picturesque with their bare feet and clothing of drab, gray wool. This image was consummated with their strong will and persistent faith in this time of seeking the Lord.
The Franciscans built thirty-six missions in Texas. They established Mission Concepcion in 1731 in this vicinity. It covered approximately fifteen square leagues.
Mission Concepcion had its own ranch and grazing land for its livestock. This ranch, Rancho del Paistle, was situated on the west bank of the Cibolo near the present Sutherland Springs. Rancho del Paistle rephrased is Moss Ranch. (One of the past traditional characterizations of Sutherland Springs is the silvery hued Spanish moss that so unendingly adorned the exquisite oaks. The long strings of moss were used for blanket coverings, lived feed, packing material, decoration and the Native American women wove it for clothing such as skirts, shoes and shawls.) The Moss Ranch was abandoned in 1767.
Partial secularization of Mission Concepcion began in 1794. Then Mission San Jose served it. The transmittal of the Mission from ecclesiastical to civil use was completed in 1824.
Ten years later, in 1834, the Moss Ranch became private property when Jose Maria Balmaceda assumed the ownership.
Doctor John Sutherland, founder of Sutherland Springs, settled in this area fifteen years later about 1849. The fanfare of hot and cold springs, especially the bubbling steamy sulfur was possibly the enticement. Doctor Sutherland was a practitioner who used a method of medicine that encouraged cures from the use of vegetable compounds and steam treatments.
The locality was given the name of "Sutherland Springs" in 1851. Doctor Sutherland had received a certification for a Post Office that needed a townsite's name. He gave his last name with validation of the mineral springs. The actual town site was laid out in 1854 from two-hundred seventy-five acres of the Sutherland estate.
The Doctor John Sutherland home place was along the west bank nearly a mile from the springs. (The limestone cistern on the north side of the First Baptist Church is the last remaining relic of the Doctor John Sutherland home place. The large concrete block protecting the opening of the cistern is a slab of the sidewalk from Hotel Sutherland.)
It was perfectly natural for those who had known the fellowship of other Christians, when scattered out into other areas without a church of their faith and order, to have a time of seeking the Lord. Doctor Sutherland, an austere Methodist, wanted a place of worship near his family. Thus, he and Joseph Polley, of the Polley Mansion, co-sponsored the installation of the Sutherland Springs Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
In 1863, the Fifth Annual Convocation of the West Texas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South was held in Sutherland Springs. In 1876, they abolished the Sutherland Springs Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Methodist parishioners continued their worship with a circuit rider pastor who came twice a month to hold services. The traveling pastor was usually paid with vegetables, fresh milk and butter, and freshly laid eggs from the hens.
A time of seeking the Lord for other faiths became apparent around 1877 with traveling pastors from the Protestant Episcopal and the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches. As well at that time, there were regular Methodist services being held in Sutherland Springs. The Union Church began to hold revivals in the summer down by the Cibolo outside town.
Beginning in the early 1900's, religion instruction did not seem as important. In spite of the Legislature's 1875 Prohibition Enactment, two saloons were being operated in Sutherland Springs.
In the Forty-ninth Session of the San Antonio Baptist Association, they pledged the following:
The Liquor Traffic
For still another year our country has continued its human sacrifices, numbering tens of thousands of victims to this hideous monster. Our civilization does not deserve the name of Christian while the infamous traffic, deadly to the body, mind and soul, is countenanced (supported) by our laws. This Association stand for the complete extirpation (destruction) of the liquor business. Signs are numerous that the days of the saloon are numbered in America. Regulation has been everywhere a failure. Annihilation (destruction) is the one alternative. The saloon is always and everywhere a lawbreaker. Public sentiment, especially in the South, is forming fast and strong to drive the whole business from the land. Georgia and Oklahoma have already outlawed the saloon. Tennessee, the Carolinas, Alabama, and Mississippi seem ready to follow at once, in Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas and in fact, in the entire South, its years are few. Wise saloon men already see the handwriting on the wall, and are lustily urging their comrades to obey the laws. They are too late to avert the storm. Their business is doomed. The Anti-saloon league was never before so active and efficient as now. This association pledges its prayers, and its every possible effort to the task of freeing our state forever of this arrogant, lawless, deadly enemy to society.
The glimpse into the spiritual past of Sutherland Springs has now inspired the time back to the early 1900's when she was so prevalently fashionable. It seemingly was a time for Man assuredly to seek the Lord.
In a meeting January 12, 1908 held by the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Stockdale, Rev. John Poole assisted by Rev. S. C. Bailey, State Evangelist, the following action was adopted:
"We, the Baptist Church of Stockdale, Texas, hereby certify that we have in the surrounding country several important places that are entirely destitute of the Gospel by Baptists. Sutherland Springs is a railroad town and they have a House of Worship, etc. located about six miles west of here. Also Caddo about six miles northeast of here is an important place. Several places without preaching should be worked up and get them to call pastors. Therefore, we believe that the Board will do well to employ the Rev. John H. Poole for half time to work at the above mentioned places.
This endeavor was manifest at the Fiftieth Session of the San Antonio Baptist Association, as they received a petitionary letter from a Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church.
This letter had general remarks about the church's spiritual condition, the general tone of the church life, and special features of the year's work.
The Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church was unanimously welcomed October 1, 1908. The pastor was Rev. John H. Poole, Clerk and Sunday School Superintendent was S. H. McIntire. Preaching was every second Sunday.
The Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church reported regularly to the San Antonio Baptist Association until 1925 when it appears it withdrew from the Association with no explanation about the reason.
Another engrossing season in the spiritual growth of Sutherland Springs begins to take place about 1909.
The San Antonio Baptist Associational Minutes of September 1909 recorded the ensuing revelation, "We have in our section an organization called The Southwest Texas Baptist Workers Conference. It is composed of all the Baptists in Southwest Texas who desire to cooperate with it. This conference is to meet annually." The Baptist Ministers on the Executive Committee of the Southwest Texas Baptist Workers Conference were R. F. Stokes – Chairman, E. C. Routh – Secretary, Weston Bruner, J. V. Neal, J. Dickenson, B. A. Copas, Sid Williams, H. M. Cain and R. A Cobron.
This committee was appointed to select a site for a Southwest Texas Baptist Encampment. One that would be involving more than three-hundred thousand Baptists in Texas from eleven Baptist Associations.
After mindful study and investigation of a diversity of locations, the Executive Committee unanimously decided upon Sutherland Springs.
The Sutherland Springs Development Company was formed in 1909. It owned one-thousand acres in New Town that embraced twenty mineral springs along three miles of frontage on the Cibolo.
In an SSDC booklet, the reasons given for Sutherland Springs being chosen were for the most beautiful scenery and trees in Texas; the beautiful Cibolo; inspiring mineral waters and the high moral character of the Sutherland Springs Development Company.
The purposed for the Baptist Encampment, Chautauqua, etc. were for an annual Southwest Texas Baptist Workers Conference meeting place; meeting place of the Southwest Texas Baptist Sunday School; an annual evangelistic camp meeting of several weeks; a two or more week's annual Bible School; a Baptist Missionary Alliance; meeting place for the Baptist Woman's Missionary Workers Auxiliary; an auditorium with a two-thousand seating capacity; and a convalescent annex for the Baptist Sanitarium. (Hospital to be built in San Antonio, Texas)
The Baptist Encampment never achieved the greatness planned by the Executive Committee of the Southwest Texas Baptist Workers Conference. It has been speculated that the reason was the destructive flood that devastated Sutherland Springs October 11, 1913.
An interesting report appears in "A Baptist Century Around the Alamo 1858 – 1958". A committee May 30, 1919 heartily endorsed the location and establishment of an encampment at Leakey, Texas known as Alto Frio Baptist Encampment.
The Encampment was for Baptists of the entire Southwest Texas area. The beautiful, spirit-filled Alto Frio Baptist Encampment meets the criteria of the earlier designated Sutherland Springs Baptist Encampment.
With the genesis of the Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church, they revived spiritual activity. A Baptist Chautauqua Meeting Ground was laid out in the Sutherland Springs park by the mineral springs. They built a permanent shelter (tall poles with only a roof) to house revival meetings and summer encampments.
Chautauqua is a Seneca (Western New York Native American) word meaning one has taken fish here. It refers to Chautauqua Lake where a Literary and Scientific Circle was founded in 1898 by Bishop Vincent of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Senecas pronounced Chautauqua as if it were "Chaud-dauk-wa."
The Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church and the Presbyterian Church had resident ministers in 1915.
Having no written organizational data on the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, information was recapitulated elsewhere. Interviews in 1972 with Mrs. Madelyn Cowan, Mrs. Bob Baker, and Mrs. Pearl Adcock provided the following:
"The wanting for a place of worship of their faith and in their own community was natural for folks. Wherefore, several members in Sutherland Springs covenanted together to organize a Baptist Church. The church was officially organized October of 1926 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Burl Chaney. Some of the charter members were Mrs. Claude (Madelyn Prothro) Cowan, Mrs. Johnny (Ruby (Bob) McClanahan) Baker, Edith Elderidge, Lottie Elderidge Parrish, Mr. and Mrs. Burl Chaney, Liilie Joerck Gregory and Grace Joerck Grandstaff."
The San Antonio Associational Missionary, Bro. J. S. Henderson, led in the 1926 organization of the Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church. Bro. Chaffe, a former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Floresville, came Sunday afternoons and preached the Word of God. The membership met in the old Sutherland Springs School building.
The minutes of the Sixty-ninth Session of the San Antonio Baptist Association records the official acceptance of the Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church into the San Antonio Baptist Association Wednesday, September 7, 1927.
The Associational Minutes read, "Petitionary letters were called for and the letter from the new church at Sutherland Springs was presented. A committee composed of W. A. Joyner, J. C. Long, and H. A. Seymour was appointed to consider the application of this church for membership in the Association. The report was adopted."
The Minutes recorded the Church Clerk as Harry Craft, Sunday School Superintendent – B. B. Chaney and Secretary – Miss Edith Elderidge.
The fact that this new church was called the Sutherland Springs Central Church suggests that it wished to differentiate itself from another Baptist congregation in town, presumably the earlier Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church.
They apparently organized or constituted the new church in 1926; although, there are times (1947 thru 1951) when they gave the organization year as 1909. For the past forty-five years, they have given the organization date as 1926.
It is not known what year the Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church became known as the First Baptist Church. The changing of the name could have been simply a matter of preference by the local congregation. It may have been done interchangeably over a period of years, especially during a transition time.
As it seems, the Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church did not make annual Associational reports after 1924. The Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church surfaced in 1925. In the Gambrell Baptist Association's Fourth Annual Session (October 1925), it chronicled Rev. H. H. Chaffee as the pastor. In a December 1988 historical summary of the First Baptist Church, the writer states "the church was organized in 1926", however, that "the preceding year (1925) a group had organized a Sunday School, Baptist Young Peoples Union, and Woman's Missionary Union."
The Sutherland Springs Baptist Church transferred from the San Antonio Baptist Association to the Gambrell Association October 7, 1941. However, there is some confusion about its relationship for the next few years. The church reported to the Gambrell Baptist Association in 1941 thru 1943 but to the San Antonio Baptist Association in 1944 thru 1946. On September 23, 1947, the Sutherland Springs Baptist Church was again admitted into the Gambrell Baptist Association. This is where the church has been affiliated for the past forty-nine years.
According to 1926 Associational records, Bro. Sam Zook is said to be the first pastor. However, from remembrances of older members, they say that it was Bro. Hal Reddoch. Bro. Zook's family verifies that he was pastor at one time. It appears that both served at different times during 1926 to 1928.
No doubt many rich blessings came to the church membership as they stepped out on faith to buy their first church building. The Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church was the hub of the community. Persons of all faiths and races with sincerity of purpose and grace in their hearts shared in raising the money.
The older church members say folks from all around came with contributions of chickens, pigs, and hand-cranked ice cream to vend. As well, monetary donations supplemented the needed payment to buy an old store building. They held worship services in the old building for several years.
It was during this period that the church surely was inspired for it was evidently growing in spirit and number. The membership and community volunteers tore down the old building and built a more effective church building using most of the lumber.
The membership persevered in their labor of seeking the Lord. In 1949, they found themselves in another building program. Under the counsel of their pastor, Bro. W. C. Binford and the supervision of a church member, Johnny Baker, they tore down the old church building. They met in the Old Town Sutherland Springs School Gymnasium for Worship Services until the new church was raised.
They held a Ground Breaking Ceremony on February 27, 1949. Chosen members of the congregation turned spades of dirt from the new property purchased in 1948.
With most of the lumber from the old church and a grant from the Baptist General Convention of Texas, they built a beautiful House of Worship. This new, present-day church was completed in September of 1949.
In the past seventy years, the church membership under the leadership of twenty-eight pastors, has remodeled, restored, and made additions to the church structure.
In Matthew 16:18, the Lord uttered these words, "...On this rock I will build my church..." These were words of hope and meaning to the early Christians as they are to the Christians of today.
Today, June 30, 1996, these words take on an entirely new meaning to the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
Because today, we look back to October 1926, when those few men and women in a time of seeking the Lord, came together to establish this House of Worship. And as we, the membership of today, continue to see the Lord in all seasons of His church.
Researched, compiled and written by
Mrs. Barbara Jane Wood
June 1996
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UPDATE : In Matthew 16:18, the Lord uttered these words, "...On this rock (JESUS CHRIST) I will build my church..." These were words of hope and meaning to the early Christians as they are to the Christians of today. (When the church building in 1996 was being remodeled, the floor under the pulpit was removed while I was present. There on the ground was a large rock .... no other rocks anywhere on the ground. I asked the pastor what they were going to do with it as we both understood it was the materialized rock the church building was built upon. I happily took home that piece of history.)
Today, January 18, 2022, these words take on an entirely new meaning to the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs and to the Sutherland Springs Community as the congregation has voted to demolish the 96 year old building. A new church building was built in 2019 following the massacre in 2017.
FOREWORD.... The occasion of this Historical Resume is the observance of seventy years of chronicles of those who labored toward the building of this body of baptized believers.
It is written for the pleasure and guidance of those who follow. For no matter how rich the heritage, a church can be no better than the generation that holds it in trust.
In the early years of the church, records were kept at the homes of the officers. Twice, homes of the Church Clerk burned destroying the Church Minutes. Therefore, Church records are not available until the year of 1953 with years following being incomplete at times.
I researched and studied material from Church Records available, Annual Associational Minutes, information from church members and other historical passageways.
I am appreciative to my husband, Dewayne, The San Antonio Baptist Association staff, Linda Bright from The South Central Baptist Area Associational Office, The Historical Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, The Texas Baptist Historical Collection, The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, The Sutherland Springs Historical Museum, Rev. Robert Miller of Calvary Baptist Church, Pastor Jeff Weems of The First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Mrs. Lora Adcock, Mrs. Beulah Wilson, Mrs. Virginia Baker, Mrs. Viva Lou Mills and many others who have helped in various ways.
I had hoped to include a biographical sketch of most of the pastors. However, due to lack of information, this could not be.
Occasionally, words and phrases have been used which do not appear good form today. These have been preserved because they are actual transcripts of the writing at the time.
This historical writing may include information of which some may not agree. When there is a conflict in information, I have printed all versions so that the reader may decide.
I have done the best that I could with extensive research from many avenues. It is my desire to have recorded a true history of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
Mrs. Barbara J. Wood
Columnist and Historian
June 30, 1996
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
A TIME TO SEEK THE LORD ..... In the early 1900's, Sutherland Springs was a well-known place. Newspapers, brochures, and folks from all around boasted about her renowned summer and winter resort.
The retreat was promoted foremostly for health reasons. Nature had gloriously flaunted a healing potpourri of redeeming mineral springs, hot and cold.
Although, this is not where the spiritual image of Sutherland Springs begins. One could say that the commencement was with the faith-driven perseverance of religious pioneers in the 1700's.
From the beginning of time, human nature has had the desire to seek and has hoped for a better life. Therefore, a great religious paradigm was introduced with the arrival of Franciscan missionaries and the building of Missions. The Franciscan missionaries came to bring Christianity to the Native American tribes living here. They came to convert them to God.
The Franciscans, the Order of Little Brothers, were picturesque with their bare feet and clothing of drab, gray wool. This image was consummated with their strong will and persistent faith in this time of seeking the Lord.
The Franciscans built thirty-six missions in Texas. They established Mission Concepcion in 1731 in this vicinity. It covered approximately fifteen square leagues.
Mission Concepcion had its own ranch and grazing land for its livestock. This ranch, Rancho del Paistle, was situated on the west bank of the Cibolo near the present Sutherland Springs. Rancho del Paistle rephrased is Moss Ranch. (One of the past traditional characterizations of Sutherland Springs is the silvery hued Spanish moss that so unendingly adorned the exquisite oaks. The long strings of moss were used for blanket coverings, lived feed, packing material, decoration and the Native American women wove it for clothing such as skirts, shoes and shawls.) The Moss Ranch was abandoned in 1767.
Partial secularization of Mission Concepcion began in 1794. Then Mission San Jose served it. The transmittal of the Mission from ecclesiastical to civil use was completed in 1824.
Ten years later, in 1834, the Moss Ranch became private property when Jose Maria Balmaceda assumed the ownership.
Doctor John Sutherland, founder of Sutherland Springs, settled in this area fifteen years later about 1849. The fanfare of hot and cold springs, especially the bubbling steamy sulfur was possibly the enticement. Doctor Sutherland was a practitioner who used a method of medicine that encouraged cures from the use of vegetable compounds and steam treatments.
The locality was given the name of "Sutherland Springs" in 1851. Doctor Sutherland had received a certification for a Post Office that needed a townsite's name. He gave his last name with validation of the mineral springs. The actual town site was laid out in 1854 from two-hundred seventy-five acres of the Sutherland estate.
The Doctor John Sutherland home place was along the west bank nearly a mile from the springs. (The limestone cistern on the north side of the First Baptist Church is the last remaining relic of the Doctor John Sutherland home place. The large concrete block protecting the opening of the cistern is a slab of the sidewalk from Hotel Sutherland.)
It was perfectly natural for those who had known the fellowship of other Christians, when scattered out into other areas without a church of their faith and order, to have a time of seeking the Lord. Doctor Sutherland, an austere Methodist, wanted a place of worship near his family. Thus, he and Joseph Polley, of the Polley Mansion, co-sponsored the installation of the Sutherland Springs Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
In 1863, the Fifth Annual Convocation of the West Texas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South was held in Sutherland Springs. In 1876, they abolished the Sutherland Springs Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Methodist parishioners continued their worship with a circuit rider pastor who came twice a month to hold services. The traveling pastor was usually paid with vegetables, fresh milk and butter, and freshly laid eggs from the hens.
A time of seeking the Lord for other faiths became apparent around 1877 with traveling pastors from the Protestant Episcopal and the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches. As well at that time, there were regular Methodist services being held in Sutherland Springs. The Union Church began to hold revivals in the summer down by the Cibolo outside town.
Beginning in the early 1900's, religion instruction did not seem as important. In spite of the Legislature's 1875 Prohibition Enactment, two saloons were being operated in Sutherland Springs.
In the Forty-ninth Session of the San Antonio Baptist Association, they pledged the following:
The Liquor Traffic
For still another year our country has continued its human sacrifices, numbering tens of thousands of victims to this hideous monster. Our civilization does not deserve the name of Christian while the infamous traffic, deadly to the body, mind and soul, is countenanced (supported) by our laws. This Association stand for the complete extirpation (destruction) of the liquor business. Signs are numerous that the days of the saloon are numbered in America. Regulation has been everywhere a failure. Annihilation (destruction) is the one alternative. The saloon is always and everywhere a lawbreaker. Public sentiment, especially in the South, is forming fast and strong to drive the whole business from the land. Georgia and Oklahoma have already outlawed the saloon. Tennessee, the Carolinas, Alabama, and Mississippi seem ready to follow at once, in Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas and in fact, in the entire South, its years are few. Wise saloon men already see the handwriting on the wall, and are lustily urging their comrades to obey the laws. They are too late to avert the storm. Their business is doomed. The Anti-saloon league was never before so active and efficient as now. This association pledges its prayers, and its every possible effort to the task of freeing our state forever of this arrogant, lawless, deadly enemy to society.
The glimpse into the spiritual past of Sutherland Springs has now inspired the time back to the early 1900's when she was so prevalently fashionable. It seemingly was a time for Man assuredly to seek the Lord.
In a meeting January 12, 1908 held by the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Stockdale, Rev. John Poole assisted by Rev. S. C. Bailey, State Evangelist, the following action was adopted:
"We, the Baptist Church of Stockdale, Texas, hereby certify that we have in the surrounding country several important places that are entirely destitute of the Gospel by Baptists. Sutherland Springs is a railroad town and they have a House of Worship, etc. located about six miles west of here. Also Caddo about six miles northeast of here is an important place. Several places without preaching should be worked up and get them to call pastors. Therefore, we believe that the Board will do well to employ the Rev. John H. Poole for half time to work at the above mentioned places.
This endeavor was manifest at the Fiftieth Session of the San Antonio Baptist Association, as they received a petitionary letter from a Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church.
This letter had general remarks about the church's spiritual condition, the general tone of the church life, and special features of the year's work.
The Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church was unanimously welcomed October 1, 1908. The pastor was Rev. John H. Poole, Clerk and Sunday School Superintendent was S. H. McIntire. Preaching was every second Sunday.
The Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church reported regularly to the San Antonio Baptist Association until 1925 when it appears it withdrew from the Association with no explanation about the reason.
Another engrossing season in the spiritual growth of Sutherland Springs begins to take place about 1909.
The San Antonio Baptist Associational Minutes of September 1909 recorded the ensuing revelation, "We have in our section an organization called The Southwest Texas Baptist Workers Conference. It is composed of all the Baptists in Southwest Texas who desire to cooperate with it. This conference is to meet annually." The Baptist Ministers on the Executive Committee of the Southwest Texas Baptist Workers Conference were R. F. Stokes – Chairman, E. C. Routh – Secretary, Weston Bruner, J. V. Neal, J. Dickenson, B. A. Copas, Sid Williams, H. M. Cain and R. A Cobron.
This committee was appointed to select a site for a Southwest Texas Baptist Encampment. One that would be involving more than three-hundred thousand Baptists in Texas from eleven Baptist Associations.
After mindful study and investigation of a diversity of locations, the Executive Committee unanimously decided upon Sutherland Springs.
The Sutherland Springs Development Company was formed in 1909. It owned one-thousand acres in New Town that embraced twenty mineral springs along three miles of frontage on the Cibolo.
In an SSDC booklet, the reasons given for Sutherland Springs being chosen were for the most beautiful scenery and trees in Texas; the beautiful Cibolo; inspiring mineral waters and the high moral character of the Sutherland Springs Development Company.
The purposed for the Baptist Encampment, Chautauqua, etc. were for an annual Southwest Texas Baptist Workers Conference meeting place; meeting place of the Southwest Texas Baptist Sunday School; an annual evangelistic camp meeting of several weeks; a two or more week's annual Bible School; a Baptist Missionary Alliance; meeting place for the Baptist Woman's Missionary Workers Auxiliary; an auditorium with a two-thousand seating capacity; and a convalescent annex for the Baptist Sanitarium. (Hospital to be built in San Antonio, Texas)
The Baptist Encampment never achieved the greatness planned by the Executive Committee of the Southwest Texas Baptist Workers Conference. It has been speculated that the reason was the destructive flood that devastated Sutherland Springs October 11, 1913.
An interesting report appears in "A Baptist Century Around the Alamo 1858 – 1958". A committee May 30, 1919 heartily endorsed the location and establishment of an encampment at Leakey, Texas known as Alto Frio Baptist Encampment.
The Encampment was for Baptists of the entire Southwest Texas area. The beautiful, spirit-filled Alto Frio Baptist Encampment meets the criteria of the earlier designated Sutherland Springs Baptist Encampment.
With the genesis of the Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church, they revived spiritual activity. A Baptist Chautauqua Meeting Ground was laid out in the Sutherland Springs park by the mineral springs. They built a permanent shelter (tall poles with only a roof) to house revival meetings and summer encampments.
Chautauqua is a Seneca (Western New York Native American) word meaning one has taken fish here. It refers to Chautauqua Lake where a Literary and Scientific Circle was founded in 1898 by Bishop Vincent of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Senecas pronounced Chautauqua as if it were "Chaud-dauk-wa."
The Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church and the Presbyterian Church had resident ministers in 1915.
Having no written organizational data on the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, information was recapitulated elsewhere. Interviews in 1972 with Mrs. Madelyn Cowan, Mrs. Bob Baker, and Mrs. Pearl Adcock provided the following:
"The wanting for a place of worship of their faith and in their own community was natural for folks. Wherefore, several members in Sutherland Springs covenanted together to organize a Baptist Church. The church was officially organized October of 1926 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Burl Chaney. Some of the charter members were Mrs. Claude (Madelyn Prothro) Cowan, Mrs. Johnny (Ruby (Bob) McClanahan) Baker, Edith Elderidge, Lottie Elderidge Parrish, Mr. and Mrs. Burl Chaney, Liilie Joerck Gregory and Grace Joerck Grandstaff."
The San Antonio Associational Missionary, Bro. J. S. Henderson, led in the 1926 organization of the Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church. Bro. Chaffe, a former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Floresville, came Sunday afternoons and preached the Word of God. The membership met in the old Sutherland Springs School building.
The minutes of the Sixty-ninth Session of the San Antonio Baptist Association records the official acceptance of the Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church into the San Antonio Baptist Association Wednesday, September 7, 1927.
The Associational Minutes read, "Petitionary letters were called for and the letter from the new church at Sutherland Springs was presented. A committee composed of W. A. Joyner, J. C. Long, and H. A. Seymour was appointed to consider the application of this church for membership in the Association. The report was adopted."
The Minutes recorded the Church Clerk as Harry Craft, Sunday School Superintendent – B. B. Chaney and Secretary – Miss Edith Elderidge.
The fact that this new church was called the Sutherland Springs Central Church suggests that it wished to differentiate itself from another Baptist congregation in town, presumably the earlier Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church.
They apparently organized or constituted the new church in 1926; although, there are times (1947 thru 1951) when they gave the organization year as 1909. For the past forty-five years, they have given the organization date as 1926.
It is not known what year the Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church became known as the First Baptist Church. The changing of the name could have been simply a matter of preference by the local congregation. It may have been done interchangeably over a period of years, especially during a transition time.
As it seems, the Sutherland Springs Missionary Baptist Church did not make annual Associational reports after 1924. The Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church surfaced in 1925. In the Gambrell Baptist Association's Fourth Annual Session (October 1925), it chronicled Rev. H. H. Chaffee as the pastor. In a December 1988 historical summary of the First Baptist Church, the writer states "the church was organized in 1926", however, that "the preceding year (1925) a group had organized a Sunday School, Baptist Young Peoples Union, and Woman's Missionary Union."
The Sutherland Springs Baptist Church transferred from the San Antonio Baptist Association to the Gambrell Association October 7, 1941. However, there is some confusion about its relationship for the next few years. The church reported to the Gambrell Baptist Association in 1941 thru 1943 but to the San Antonio Baptist Association in 1944 thru 1946. On September 23, 1947, the Sutherland Springs Baptist Church was again admitted into the Gambrell Baptist Association. This is where the church has been affiliated for the past forty-nine years.
According to 1926 Associational records, Bro. Sam Zook is said to be the first pastor. However, from remembrances of older members, they say that it was Bro. Hal Reddoch. Bro. Zook's family verifies that he was pastor at one time. It appears that both served at different times during 1926 to 1928.
No doubt many rich blessings came to the church membership as they stepped out on faith to buy their first church building. The Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church was the hub of the community. Persons of all faiths and races with sincerity of purpose and grace in their hearts shared in raising the money.
The older church members say folks from all around came with contributions of chickens, pigs, and hand-cranked ice cream to vend. As well, monetary donations supplemented the needed payment to buy an old store building. They held worship services in the old building for several years.
It was during this period that the church surely was inspired for it was evidently growing in spirit and number. The membership and community volunteers tore down the old building and built a more effective church building using most of the lumber.
The membership persevered in their labor of seeking the Lord. In 1949, they found themselves in another building program. Under the counsel of their pastor, Bro. W. C. Binford and the supervision of a church member, Johnny Baker, they tore down the old church building. They met in the Old Town Sutherland Springs School Gymnasium for Worship Services until the new church was raised.
They held a Ground Breaking Ceremony on February 27, 1949. Chosen members of the congregation turned spades of dirt from the new property purchased in 1948.
With most of the lumber from the old church and a grant from the Baptist General Convention of Texas, they built a beautiful House of Worship. This new, present-day church was completed in September of 1949.
In the past seventy years, the church membership under the leadership of twenty-eight pastors, has remodeled, restored, and made additions to the church structure.
In Matthew 16:18, the Lord uttered these words, "...On this rock I will build my church..." These were words of hope and meaning to the early Christians as they are to the Christians of today.
Today, June 30, 1996, these words take on an entirely new meaning to the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
Because today, we look back to October 1926, when those few men and women in a time of seeking the Lord, came together to establish this House of Worship. And as we, the membership of today, continue to see the Lord in all seasons of His church.
Researched, compiled and written by
Mrs. Barbara Jane Wood
June 1996
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UPDATE : In Matthew 16:18, the Lord uttered these words, "...On this rock (JESUS CHRIST) I will build my church..." These were words of hope and meaning to the early Christians as they are to the Christians of today. (When the church building in 1996 was being remodeled, the floor under the pulpit was removed while I was present. There on the ground was a large rock .... no other rocks anywhere on the ground. I asked the pastor what they were going to do with it as we both understood it was the materialized rock the church building was built upon. I happily took home that piece of history.)
Today, January 18, 2022, these words take on an entirely new meaning to the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs and to the Sutherland Springs Community as the congregation has voted to demolish the 96 year old building. A new church building was built in 2019 following the massacre in 2017.
Assembly of God
The small rustic unpainted church house ... sitting in Sutherland Springs Texas off FM 539 near 7th Street was an Assembly of God church. The pastor of the church was Jose Becerra. He was a very close friend of Tony Morales and his father, (Linda Morales Lucio' s grandfather), Juan Morales. He was Alice's great-grandfather. Juan Morales owned the property the church was built on in the 1950's. Later, the grandfather willed the property to his son, Antonio Morales. The church never owned the land but my grandfather assured the pastor that the church could remain on the property as long as church services were performed there. Unfortunately, after the pastor left, the congregation slowly drifted away to other churches. A couple of other pastors came and went over the years, but eventually they got offers from other church's with larger congregations, so they left. The last service was performed there about 1978. It was a mission church to the Hispanic Poth Assemby of God Church.
Bro. Kenneth Wellman disassembled the old church saving the lumber. He used all of the lumber harvested from that church to make his "resurrected churches" He made more than 100! (Information contributed by Linda Morales Lucio)
Bro. Kenneth Wellman disassembled the old church saving the lumber. He used all of the lumber harvested from that church to make his "resurrected churches" He made more than 100! (Information contributed by Linda Morales Lucio)
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP .....
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Saspamco Texas.
The land for the church was donated by Lorenzo and Victoria Gonzales, and in 1923, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Church was erected by the local laborers using sand and gravel from the Gonzales sand pit and water from their well.
The land for the church was donated by Lorenzo and Victoria Gonzales, and in 1923, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Church was erected by the local laborers using sand and gravel from the Gonzales sand pit and water from their well.
The first mass, officiated by the Bishop Arthur Drossaerts, was celebrated on November 13, 1924. In 1955, the ladies of the community formed the altar society of OLPH Catholic Church.
In 2015, a Texas Historical Marker was erected outside the building. The inscription reads, "Most of Saspamco's early population was derived from Mexican immigrant laborers employed by the San Antonio Sewer Pipe Works Company. The laborers of the sewer pipe factory and other local residents wanted a place of worship. The land for a church was donated by Lorenzo and Victoria Gonzales, and in 1923, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Church was erected by the local laborers using sand and gravel from the Gonzales sand pit and water from their well. The first mass, officiated by the Bishop Arthur Drossaerts, was celebrated on November 13, 1924. In 1955, the ladies of the community formed the altar society of OLPH Catholic Church. As the backbone of the church, the society sponsored annual fundraising dinners and festivals. Proceeds were always designated for the upkeep of the church and religious education programs. The annual festivals were an opportunity for the predominantly Hispanic community to gather in fellowship. The church conducted baptisms, first communions, weddings, funerals, confirmations, Virgen de Guadalupe celebrations, Christmas pageants and the Passion of Christ productions. In 1969, Father Pedro Parra led the remodel of the church and a new church hall. The hall was used for religious education classes and parish council meetings. Since its creation, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church has continued to contribute to the ethical and religious formation of the Hispanic population in the area."
{Photos courtesy of photographer Janet Hernandez. She came across the church while on a hiking trail.}
{Photos courtesy of photographer Janet Hernandez. She came across the church while on a hiking trail.}
First Baptist Church of Stockdale
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH .... Stockdale, Wilson County Texas ...... Stockdale Baptists organized their church in 1874 in a picket building. They met there or in a mill house or schoolhouse for years. The Rev. L. S. Cox was the first pastor. In 1885, under Pastor E. Norwood. The congregation erected its first church building, but this soon (1886) was damaged in a storm. Services were held in a cotton warehouse while the church was being rebuilt. In 1910, while The Rev. J. A. Morse was pastor, present site was bought and the third sanctuary built. Under leadership of The Rev. Charles Bowes, the present building was completed in 1953. The Rev. Charles Young was pastor (1966) when current parsonage was erected on site of the 1885 church. Stewardship and enrolment have grown during the century. The congregation began in 1916 to sponsor a Mexican mission, erecting a mission hall in 1919. Present mission church was built in 1964, during the pastorate of The Rev. Kenneth Wellman. The congregation has ordained several ministers: The Rev. Marshall Smith (1918), the Rev. Celestino Grasciotti (1924), the Rev. Bryan Teague (1928), the Rev. Jesse Jasso (in the mission, 1962), the Rev. Antonio Del Carmen (1970), and the Rev. Crus Casarez (1973). The Rev. John Hallum is the present pastor. (1974)
Celebrating with Elm Creek Baptist Church — 'equipping saints' for 140 years
By Nannette Kilbey-Smith
La Vernia News, 2023
La Vernia News, 2023
TERRIE LEONARD
Celebrate the 140th anniversary of Elm Creek Baptist Church on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. The church was founded in 1883 by three families; services were held in German until 1948, when a non-German speaker joined the congregation!
It's "the little church with a big heart" and this month, the Elm Creek Baptist Church near La Vernia will celebrate 140 years of sharing God's Word.
Nestled on a little rise on Sandy Elm Road off F.M. 539 about 6 miles east/northeast of La Vernia, the little white wood-frame church offers an image of times past. But don't let its old-fashioned appearance fool you; Elm Creek Baptist Church continues to be a vibrant center of worship for the devoted faithful, and "the church doors have not closed since it opened in 1883," said Terrie Leonard of La Vernia, who serves as church clerk and worship leader.
The little German church
The little church was first organized Jan. 21, 1883, by the Vorpahl, Fechner, and Achterberg families, who met in their homes initially. In 1885, the church purchased an acre of land from the Vorpahls for $10.
The church was first known as the Elm Creek German Baptist Church; all services were conducted in German, according to the church's history at elmcreekbc.org, and the early church records also were kept in German. The name was changed in 1942, omitting "German." Services continued to be the language of worship until 1948, when a new member — a non-German speaker — joined.
A storm in 1950 severely damaged the original building. In August that year, the original church was torn down and a new one erected by the members, using the original materials. Through the years, electricity, gas, and restrooms were added, along with a kitchen and nursery space. An expansion and renovation in 2003 added 1,200 square feet to the church's footprint, expanding the nursery and adding more classrooms and a fellowship hall. In March 2004, Otto Vorpahl, a descendant of one of the founding families, donated another acre of land; the family still owns the land surrounding the church. A baptistry was added that year, allowing the first baptism inside the church since its founding.
Michael D. Insley has been serving as the pastor since last May. Prior to coming to Elm Creek Baptist Church, he was pastor of Sweet Spirit Baptist Church in St. Hedwig for eight years.
Today's congregation
Terrie and her husband, former La Vernia city Councilman Randy Leonard, joined Elm Creek Baptist Church in 2018. After worshipping at a large La Vernia church for more than 20 years, the couple began looking for a new church home; they'd visited the little Elm Creek church a time or two.
"One day in early 2018 ... we were driving to Seguin and saw it anew," Terrie recalled. They visited the following Sunday and "felt at home and fell in love" with then-Pastor Don Howard and his family.
Soon after joining, the Leonards began serving the Lord alongside the pastor. Terrie and Randy became good friends with the Howards.
"I began teaching children's Sunday School the moment a child walked in our doors," Terrie explained.
Randy began taking care of much of the aging building's maintenance; Pastor Howard invited him to become a deacon, and he still serves as such.
"What drew us in was the Holy Spirit, of course," Terrie shared. "And what we loved about it was the way they still sang hymns out of the hymnal."
She was approached by Veronica, the pastor's wife, about singing a special, which Terrie did. That led to her helping lead worship in song with Pastor Howard. When he resigned in 2021, she took over leading worship, and continues to this day.
"And yes, we still use the hymnals!" Terrie exclaimed.
The church has had its ups and downs through the years.
"We struggled through COVID like many other churches, but we kept the doors open through that and a declining attendance," the church clerk observed.
Currently, Elm Creek Baptist Church has 41 members, "with about half that amount on the active list," Terrie shared. Average Sunday attendance is around 12.
Among the worshippers is Ted Hollister, who's attended since 1998, after he bought a small ranch on the same road as the church.
He, too, found the little white church in the country felt like home. One of his favorite events at his new faith home was a Christmas Eve service sometime before 2000.
"I grew up in a small Baptist church in Berlin, Germany, so missed the holiday songs in German," said Ted, whose father was in the U.S. Air Force. "Most of the [Elm Creek] members could still speak and sing in German, so they did the service in German for the first time since the World War II era, when they changed to English."
Ted, who manages the church's technology, including the projector and sound system, also enjoyed "crashing" a photo shoot at the church.
Christian country singer Clifton Jansky was using the church "for some old-timey photos," Ted recalled. Jansky still has the images, he said. The church has invited him to attend the anniversary celebration later this month.
Who knows who you might meet at Elm Creek Baptist Church, the little white church in the country, working still to fulfill its mission of "equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:1).
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COURTESY/ La Vernia News
Mision Bautista
October 1953 Mision Bautista - Hispanic Mission of Floresville Baptist Church, not sure who all the children are except for Joe and Thomas Dominguez, Rudy Ramirez and Frankie Guerrero. Do you recognize someone? Please comment. Thank you. (Photo posted by Irene Dominguez on "Remember Floresville When")
Floresville Texas Methodist Church 100 years ago
May 18, 2011 | Wilson County News
Lois Wauson
Rainy Days and Starry Nights
Lois Wauson
Rainy Days and Starry Nights
When I searched through historical records of the First Methodist Church, looking for a link to my ancestors when they first came to Floresville in 1905, I found out that my grandparents, Samuel and Lizzie Zook, were very active members at that time in the First Methodist Church of Floresville, then known as the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Two years ago, I had found old records in the courthouse of land purchased when they came to Wilson County. I found the records of births, deaths, and marriages. Now I wanted to find out about their spiritual life and Christian work. I knew my grandparents were missionaries, being from the Amish and Mennonite churches of Pennsylvania. They came to Texas in 1900 as missionaries.
Arriving in Floresville in 1905, they immediately joined the Methodist church. It was the church that most reminded them of their Amish roots. Grandmother Zook started a ladies Sunday school class and started teaching Sunday school. I didn't find any records of members in those early years, maybe because most of the old records were ruined when the church basement was flooded years ago. I wish I knew who was in that class!
Grandfather Zook immediately started spreading the gospel message among the Mexican people. He visited them in their homes, prayed for them, and soon they were coming to his home for prayer and ministry and learning about the Bible. Then the Methodist Church offered him the old frame building on Second Street, which formerly housed the Methodist Church before they built another church on the corner of Fourth and B streets, two blocks away.
I found several references to the work that my grandparents were doing, in some old Quarterly Conference records of the West Texas District of the Methodist Church.
Rev. Zook reported to them that he had 30 people enrolled in a Sunday school. One report said that evangelistic work had been done in the "neglected" communities and that a number of people made profound conversions to Christ. One report said that $15 was raised to defray the expense of repairing the old frame building.
In 1912, Grandmother Zook was teaching the women's Sunday school class, then went to the worship service, and helped her husband in missionary work among the Mexican people, always helping her neighbors and the less fortunate in Floresville, besides taking care of nine children at home — ages 3 to 18 years. I wonder how she did it.
My grandfather was preaching — and teaching a Sunday school class, also farming several hundred acres of land. I found in searching old records at the Methodist church that they had a Missions Committee, with my grandfather the leader, and Dr. Oxford, a well-known doctor in Floresville, and two other men, Bro. Canfield and Bro. King, were elected co-workers with him. I am glad he had those men to help him.
In 1915, the Methodist Church had two Sunday school classes for adults — the Zook Memorial Class and the Friendship Class, the Epworth League youth, where my uncle, Martin Zook, who was in college in Tennessee by then and was the president that summer, reported that they had 35 members in it. I wonder if they have 35 members today?
I also found a record where my grandmother, Lizzie Zook, was an alternate delegate to the annual conference in 1918, and was on the Missions Committee too. How did she do all that with so many children? I was always told by anyone who knew her, that she was amazing, that she was a "saint."
As I looked at those old church records, I imagined what it was like 100 years ago when my daddy, Lawrence, his mother, and his brothers and sisters all went to the Methodist Episcopal Church South on Sundays, while their daddy preached at the Mexican mission church, now El Mesias United Methodist Church.
The streets were not paved. People came in buggies or wagons, on horseback, or walked in the dusty, sandy streets or mud, depending on the weather, sat in rooms that were cold in the winter and hot in the summer, and studied their Bibles, listened to preaching, went home Sunday afternoons to eat Sunday dinner, take naps, and then start another week on Monday morning.
Now we do the same thing, but the streets are paved, the buildings are air-conditioned, we don't walk, ride horses, or come in buggies or wagons; we come in fancy cars and trucks, but we still hear the same message today. Thank God, some things never change.
COURTESY / Lois Zook Wauson ... former Wilson County News "Rainy Days and Starry Nights" Columnist May 18, 2011
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HISTORICAL MARKER INSCRIPTION
The organizational meeting for the Floresville Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Agee on October 25, 1875. The Rev. Ichabod Kingsbury led in the congregation's formation and served as first pastor. The six charter members included Mr. and Mrs. Agee, Judge W. L. Worsham, Mr. and Mrs. Zack Burrows, and James C. Wilson. During its early years, the congregation held worship services at various locations, including homes, the Wilson County Courthouse, and a private school known as Floresville Academy.
Its first sanctuary, completed on this site in 1885 during the pastorate of The Rev. W. H. Killough, was destroyed in an 1886 storm. Under the leadership of The Rev. J. C. Russell, another building was constructed in 1887 and served the church until 1942. Several area Methodist congregations have merged with the Floresville church over the years, allowing it to provide additional service and leadership to the community.
Known since 1968 as the Floresville United Methodist Church, the congregation continues to reflect the ideals and traditions of its founders as it celebrates the Bicentennial of Methodism in America. (1984)
St. Ann's Catholic Church parish in Kosciusko
KOSCIUSKO TEXAS & ST. ANN's CATHOLIC PARISH .... Kosciusko Texas was founded in 1892 by 65 Polish families.
Memories of Sacred Heart parish hall
Wilson County News, 2018
By Julia Castro
"Apple Pie and Salsa"
By Julia Castro
"Apple Pie and Salsa"
A new parish hall is going up on Sacred Heart Catholic Church grounds on the spot that the original hall stood since 1955. I believe the plaque on it referred to it as an educational building, but we all called it the parish hall. I was expecting our second child. I was not yet a Catholic but would take turns on Sundays going to Sacred Heart Church and El Mesias Methodist Church, which I had been attending since my childhood. So I saw the hall being built. It was completed in June of 1955, and our Louie was born in December. He, like our oldest child, Letty, was baptized a Catholic.
This new hall has been in the planning for many years and has finally become a reality. When I saw the old hall being torn down, I felt just like I did when the old Floresville High School that three of my siblings and I had attended was being torn down. So many memories!
The old hall served the community well for nearly 63 years.
From the looks of the floor plan of this new hall, it is going to be spacious and beautiful. I'm sure that a lot of people have special memories of the old hall.
For now, I will just rely on my memories and those of my children.
I remember spending countless hours making peanut brittle when our kids attended Sacred Heart School, to sell at the Peanut Festival. If your child attended Sacred Heart School, you learned to make peanut brittle! Later, as a grandmother of a student and member of the school council, I again made peanut brittle to sell at Christmas time. All this was made in the kitchen of the parish hall.
I remember helping serve at the church picnics for many years. One year the committee decided to serve the meal family-style. I remember that I and the others working our shift kept going back and forth to the kitchen to refill the serving bowls or trays. There was one person that kept loading his plate over and over. I had never seen anybody eat that much. He probably was not the only one doing that. The next year we went back to serving the plates.
I remember the Valentine Coronations. At one time the entertainment for the Royal Court were big productions. And there were the Christmas plays, which are still being held. They have always drawn big crowds.
Leonard remembers the Christmas plays, one especially, "Scrooge." He had a talent for drawing. He copied an image of Scrooge from some paper, and others made copies of it and posted them all over town. He remembers being in the play and wearing knee-length brown pants. One of the Sekula boys was Scrooge. This I don't remember, but Leonard and Marshall both remember talent shows. Leonard says that his cousin Dominic once played Hank Williams and sang "Your Cheating Heart." He said Dominic was quite good! Leonard and Lea both remember playing under the stage. I understand that there won't be a stage in the new hall. How can you have plays without a stage?
Loretta remembers the PTC meetings on Thursdays. Why does she remember that? Maybe because they got to play on the playground while I was at the meetings.
I remember, in May 1957, the reception at the hall (which was still fairly new) after the Mass in which Father John J. Gerbermann celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. He was later given the title of Monsignor. And he had baptized me into the Catholic faith in 1956.
And I remember, in 1964, a farewell party for Father Daniel Hennessy, assistant pastor. Father Virgil Elizondo, the new assistant pastor, arrived a little late, but in time to be introduced to us. We, the Spanish choir, sang "Las Mañanitas" to Father Daniel.
When the church was being remodeled in 2003, the parish hall became our sanctuary. All Masses were held there until the work on the church was complete. Lia remembers that her daughter Rebecca and her kindergarten class had their graduation in the hall.
Marshall's two daughters, Roxanne and Amanda, both had their wedding receptions in the hall. And who can forget the delicious Thanksgiving dinners at the hall hosted by the school for years? I had almost forgotten this. One year when I was center director at El Mesias Head Start, I asked and was given permission to use the parish hall for our annual graduation for the 5-year-olds. I have photos of the staff on the stage passing out diplomas furnished by the agency. I believe Father Jeremiah Murphy was the pastor.
Yes, the 63-year-old parish hall has served the community well. It had its share of benefit events, bridal showers, baby showers, anniversary receptions, and numerous other events. And I will close with my favorite personal memory of the hall. On Sunday, Feb. 19, 1978, our children honored us with a reception on the occasion of our 25th wedding anniversary. We thought it was a big milestone! Since then, we have celebrated a 50th, a 60th, and just last month, our 65th anniversary. We have both been more than blessed!
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COURTESY/ Wilson County Newspaper 2018
St. John Lutheran Church, Poth
ST JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH, POTH, WILSON COUNTY TEXAS ..... St. John Lutheran Church is located at 106 Titcomb Street in Poth, Texas. It is a beautiful church with 12 magnificent, stained glass windows, which were installed in 1983. A bell to call the faithful to worship was dedicated in 1931. St Johns has a long and interesting history.
The roots of St. John's church congregation can be traced to January 15, 1899, when a congregation was organized in the home of Carl Voigt, Jr. People from several communities were part of the congregation. A little church with a one-room parsonage was built nearby and dedicated September 17, 1899. This church was considered too remote and therefore, a combined church and school was built "Waldeimm Kirchegemeinde", on the George Boening farm near the present curve on U. S. Hwy. 181 between Poth and Floresville.
The first pastor was Rev. Hans P. Duborg, aged 80. He served from Beeville except for the short time he lived in Waldheim. He was succeeded by Rev. Herman Drews in January, 1902, and served through August, 1903. The third pastor was Rev. Julius Schroeder who lived in Karnes City and served from October, 1903 through August 1918. Rev. Julius Schroeder was the father of Rev. S. T. Schroeder who later served St. John.
On April 19, 1906, services were held in Floresville in the Church of Christ, corner of "C" and 6th. Streets. Rev. Lewis F. Freyberg was installed by Rev. Julius Schroeder as pastor on August 18, 1918. He served First Lutheran of Floresville and Peace Lutheran of Dewees, with both German and English Services.
Rev. Lewis F. Freyberg held the first services in the Poth School on June 1, 1921. A schedule was set up whereby Rev. Freyberg held services in Floresville, Poth and Dewees on a rotating basis with services in German and English. It was hoped that members of Peace Church in Dewees would join the Poth Lutherans and some years later, services in Dewees were discontinued.
When the town of Poth was laid out, a lot was set aside for a Protestant church. The land was given by the Jones family, then owners of the land. Several Lutheran families in Poth and the vicinity formed a temporary organization to take advantage of this offer and to make plans for a church building. Construction for the church was begun on September 17, 1922. The cornerstone was laid, and on Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1922, the dedication took place.
The preceding Sunday, November 26, a meeting was held at which time the formal organization was formed and adoption of a constitution took place. The congregation was named in honor of the blessed apostle, St. John the Devine. The newly organized church was received into membership with the Joint Synod of Ohio at the Texas District Convention in May, 1923.
Walter Ulbricht was the first person to be baptized in St. John's Church. This took place on May 5, 1923. The first confirmation class was on September 9, 1923. This was followed by the first marriage in the church. Louis Lindemann married Paula Schriewer on June 18, 1924.
On October 16, 1928, Rev. Meinhart A. P. Keller arrived to become the first resident pastor in Poth, and St. John's of Denhawken was added to the parish. The little church was to see many changes through the years. A cemetery was dedicated in 1930. A church bell and a parsonage were dedicated in 1931. In 1930, the Joint Synod Of Ohio became the American Lutheran Church.
Rev. J. K. Poch came the next year. With his inimitable personality, he won the love of the people of the entire community. Many improvements were made and members were added during his ministry. In 1935, Denhawken and Nixon became a parish, and newly ordained Rev. S. T. Schroeder became pastor of that parish. From that time on Pastor Poch devoted his talents entirely to St. John in Poth. Rev. Poch retired in 1947.
After a period of interim pastors, Rev. Manno Shatoo became the pastor at St. John in August, 1951. Construction began on the expansion of the chapel in November 1951. It was enlarged to its present size. Many members volunteered their labor and generous contributions were given. The enlarged building was again consecrated on June 29, 1952. Rev. Manno Shatto served until October, 1953. Dr. Otto R. Schawe, an Army Chaplain during WWII, and a retired instructor at Texas Lutheran College, became St. John's pastor in 1954. An educational building was dedicated on March 27, 1960.
Pastor Kenneth D. Joens arrived in August, 1966, and served until January of 1969. A new electronic organ was dedicated on June 21, 1970. In 1971, the church building was covered with brickstone, and the roof was repaired and painted, including the white cross at the top of the tower.
During the ensuing vacancy, Dr. Schawe again served until a merger with First Lutheran of Floresville, became effective May 1, 1969, when that congregation's pastor, Rev. S. T. Schroeder was installed to also serve St. John.
A speaker system was installed by Werner Artus as a gift from E. H. Wehmann. In 1972, this speaker system was dedicated to the glory of God in memory of Mrs. Normania Wehmann and Rev. and Mrs. August Artus.
Rev. C. William Mosley was installed in 1977 as pastor of St. John and First Lutheran after Rev. S. T. Schroeder's retirement.
The church received a central air and heating system in 1980.
January, 1981, Pastor Mosley resigned his ministry in Poth, and in October the congregation voted to dissolve its 12-year partnership with First Lutheran. Rev. Fred Scheffel accepted the call as Interim Pastor of St. John. During his tenure the newsletter, "The St. John Messenger" was begun. An Altar Guild and Acolyte Corps were formed. The stained glass windows depicting Biblical scenes were installed. Rev. Scheffel left in 1987 after 6 years.
Rev. Louis F. Balderach joined St. John in April 1987 as a part-time pastor. The chimes and tapes were installed as a gift from the Maeckel family. Rev. Balderach resigned in August, 1992.
From 1992 – 1996, St. John has been served by various supply pastors and several interim pastors -- among these have been: Dr. James Qualben, Pastor Richard Nybro, and Pastor Virgil Ganz.
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COURTESY/ Wilson County Historical Society
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GROUP PHOTO:
Some of the members of St. John's Lutheran Church, Poth, Texas, 1949-1950 standing on lawn next to shrubs on a winter day at St. John's Lutheran Church (Poth, Tex.)
Names provided by Beverly Kosarek. Left to right (First row): Unidentified, Betty Jean Kosarek, Beverly Kosarek, and unidentified boy."(Second row)" Unidentified, Mary Janik Kosarek, Willie Bob Kosarek, unidentified, and unidentified."(Third row) Nell Sunday, William "Bill" Kosarek, Millie Barosh, Edwin Barosh, Eddie Lee Barosh, and unidentified man.
Floresville Baptist Church
WILSON COUNTY TEXAS CHURCH ... Black and white photograph of the Floresville Baptist Church. There are two entries into the building with steps leading up to the doorways. In the front of the building is a lovely stain glass window. To one side of the building is a white picket fence and behind the church is a water tower and concrete building.
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COURTESY /Portal to Texas History
St. Martin Lutheran Church
Did ya know...that the first Lutheran church established in Wilson County Texas was called the St. Martin Lutheran Church? It was located in Waldheim which is where the Curve between Floresville and Poth are. It is a vanished German community that has been forgotten by time, but the roots run deep here in Waldheim. COURTESY/WCHS Sesquicentennial Book
HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH..... Floresville Wilson County Texas
The City of Floresville, Texas was established and made county seat of Wilson County in 1873. Shortly thereafter families started settling the town and the Floresville Academy was established and became the forerunner of our present school system. Rev. John Washburn came to San Antonio in the fall of 1877 and served as missionary of the San Antonio Baptist Association. He moved to Floresville in 1878 to become the first superintendent of the Floresville Academy and to continue preaching. He preached in Floresville, Marcelina, Sutherland Springs, and possibly other area churches.
Our church was organized in August of 1878 as Floresville Missionary Baptist Church. In the "Western Chronicle" ("forerunner of the Chronicle Journal") of August 29, 1878, it was reported that "the largest congregation perhaps that Floresville has had in the past decade assembled at the courthouse last Sunday night to hear the Rev. Mr. Washburn preach on the subject of Christ. The services continued for several days with several conversions and additions to the church."
The first church building was erected in 1889 approximately 50 feet west from the present site. It was a 40' x 60' building with no baptistery, no choir loft, no Sunday school rooms, nor pastor's study.
About 1905-1906 the building was enlarged and remodeled, adding new wings on each side, amphitheater-type sloping floor, curved pews, one Sunday School room, a pastor's study, choir loft and baptistery, along with gothic-type windows and a beautiful art glass window in the front of the building. In 1916 an educational department was added, which was a two-story structure with about ten Sunday School rooms, an assembly room, modern kitchen and modern plumbing were installed.
In 1953 new church building facilities were erected, and in 1956 the church voted to install air conditioning. In 1960 pastor Joe Webb led the 175 members with Mr. Carl Ray serving as music director and Mr. Joe Holcombe as Brotherhood president. Currently Mr. and Mrs. Ray and and Mr. and Mrs. Holcombe are still serving in our church.
In 1973 the church was enlarged to include an educational department, kitchen and fellowship space, enlarged nursery space, library, and new offices. The addition of a new sanctuary was completed in November 2010. In 2015 the church purchased the old Wells Fargo Bank across the street and held a celebration service and open house for all to see the new space. In August, the staff moved into the offices and have enjoyed the entire building. We give God all the praise and glory for the growth of First Baptist Church Floresville.
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Information shared by Penny Smith
Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart Church, Floresville, Wilson County Texas, built in 1935.
From the church's website: In 1832 a village, close to what is now known as Floresville, was established and was eventually named Lodi. Priests from San Antonio occasionally visited the people.
1882-1885: Father J. H. Daine, an Englishman, was the first resident pastor of what is now Sacred Heart Church. The first church was a small frame structure built in Lodi, (now part of Floresville) in 1882.
1885-1894: Father Joseph Lagier, a Frenchman, rebuilt the church in 1885 following its destruction by a storm.
Much of the parish growth and plant expansion took place during the pastorate of Father Peter Zarb from 1898-1938.
Fr. Peter was the first priest to build a new church in the present location. The structure was dedicated by Bishop John A. Forest in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on 10/23/1901. On the same occasion the Bishop consecrated a three-bell chime and blessed the rectory built with the pastor's funds.
The School was built in 1933. The church needed to be enlarged because the church's facilities were inadequate due to the growing parish. The existing church was rebuilt and enlarged. Brick walls were erected to replace the original frame structure. Archbishop J. Drossaerts blessed the remodeled church on 10/6/1935.
From the church's website: In 1832 a village, close to what is now known as Floresville, was established and was eventually named Lodi. Priests from San Antonio occasionally visited the people.
1882-1885: Father J. H. Daine, an Englishman, was the first resident pastor of what is now Sacred Heart Church. The first church was a small frame structure built in Lodi, (now part of Floresville) in 1882.
1885-1894: Father Joseph Lagier, a Frenchman, rebuilt the church in 1885 following its destruction by a storm.
Much of the parish growth and plant expansion took place during the pastorate of Father Peter Zarb from 1898-1938.
Fr. Peter was the first priest to build a new church in the present location. The structure was dedicated by Bishop John A. Forest in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on 10/23/1901. On the same occasion the Bishop consecrated a three-bell chime and blessed the rectory built with the pastor's funds.
The School was built in 1933. The church needed to be enlarged because the church's facilities were inadequate due to the growing parish. The existing church was rebuilt and enlarged. Brick walls were erected to replace the original frame structure. Archbishop J. Drossaerts blessed the remodeled church on 10/6/1935.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church ..... Saspamco, Wilson County Texas.
Most of Saspamco's early population was derived from Mexican immigrant laborers employed by the San Antonio Sewer Pipe Works Company. The laborers of the sewer pipe factory and other local residents wanted a place of worship. The land for a church was donated by Lorenzo and Victoria Gonzales, and in 1923, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Church was erected by the local laborers using sand and gravel from the Gonzales sand pit and water from their well.
The first mass, officiated by the Bishop Arthur Drossaerts, was celebrated on November 13, 1924. In 1955, the ladies of the community formed the altar society of OLPH Catholic Church. As the backbone of the church, the society sponsored annual fundraising dinners and festivals. Proceeds were always designated for the upkeep of the church and religious education programs. The annual festivals were an opportunity for the predominantly Hispanic community to gather in fellowship. The church conducted baptisms, first communions, weddings, funerals, confirmations, Virgen de Guadalupe celebrations, Christmas pageants and the Passion of Christ productions.
In 1969, Father Pedro Parra led the remodel of the church and a new church hall. The hall was used for religious education classes and parish council meetings. Since its creation, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church has continued to contribute to the ethical and religious formation of the Hispanic population in the area. (HISTORICAL MARKER TEXT)
Most of Saspamco's early population was derived from Mexican immigrant laborers employed by the San Antonio Sewer Pipe Works Company. The laborers of the sewer pipe factory and other local residents wanted a place of worship. The land for a church was donated by Lorenzo and Victoria Gonzales, and in 1923, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Church was erected by the local laborers using sand and gravel from the Gonzales sand pit and water from their well.
The first mass, officiated by the Bishop Arthur Drossaerts, was celebrated on November 13, 1924. In 1955, the ladies of the community formed the altar society of OLPH Catholic Church. As the backbone of the church, the society sponsored annual fundraising dinners and festivals. Proceeds were always designated for the upkeep of the church and religious education programs. The annual festivals were an opportunity for the predominantly Hispanic community to gather in fellowship. The church conducted baptisms, first communions, weddings, funerals, confirmations, Virgen de Guadalupe celebrations, Christmas pageants and the Passion of Christ productions.
In 1969, Father Pedro Parra led the remodel of the church and a new church hall. The hall was used for religious education classes and parish council meetings. Since its creation, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church has continued to contribute to the ethical and religious formation of the Hispanic population in the area. (HISTORICAL MARKER TEXT)
Marcelina
Marker is symbol of History in Marcelina ......... "On April 2, 2005, in the heart of Wilson County Texas, an officially inscribed Historic Texas Cemetery medallion was unveiled amidst tombstones and bluebonnets. The new spring weather was showing off and the wildflowers decorated every grave. Family and friends in the tiny historic community off S.H. 97 gathered at the Marcelina Baptist Church to dedicate the memorial to their loved ones.
Marvin Mills, president of the Marcelina Cemetery Association, welcomed families, friends, and guests. The Rev. Olen Wilson, minister of the small church, gave the invocation.
Gene Maeckel, chairman of the Wilson County Historical Society, spoke of the hard work it takes to obtain one of the markers.
"The Texas Historical Marker program is one of the best in the country," Maeckel said. "It takes careful work and dedication to obtain a historical marker."
Wilson County Judge Marvin Quinney, who was the guest speaker, praised cemetery association members for their hard work and dedication to preserving and protecting the heritage of their community.
During the ceremony, a history of the Marcelina Cemetery was given by association secretary-treasurer, Barbara Conn Mills. Lauren and Marvin Mills acknowledged the many people who made it possible for the marker to become a reality. The visitors gave thanks for their loved ones, then walked to the cemetery, only a few steps from the simple, white church. The solemn unveiling was done by J.G. Sims, a descendant of the founders. Following an outdoor benediction by the Rev. Wilson, homemade refreshments were offered in the fellowship hall of the church.
"Historic Texas cemetery markers are important, not only because they show how much a community values a landmark site, but also because they interpret the history for future generations," said Dan K. Utley, chief historian with the Texas Historical Commission. "Cemeteries are unfortunately among our most vulnerable cultural resources; they often contain information about the past that cannot be found anywhere else. In that sense, they are like libraries on a landscape."
The Marcelina Cemetery marker from the Texas Historical Commission reads, "In 1876, Isaac and Malinda Sims moved from Mississippi to Wilson County's Marcelina Community. Seven years later, they deeded part of their land for a burial ground and the Marcelina Baptist Church. Samuel Foster, Isaac's stepbrother, also deeded land, including the site of his mother's grave, for burial purposes. Over time, the two cemeteries merged into one. The oldest marked grave, that of Martin Donaho, dates to 1882. The cemetery continues to be used by the community. A cemetery association, organized in 1954 by Sally Sims and others, still maintains the burial ground, which remains a link to the area's rich history."
Near the lone picnic table under the old oak trees in the churchyard, the great-great-grandchildren played, unaware of the significance of the day, which is an important part of their family's history. Someday they will become curious about their community and thankful for the lives and history recorded on the durable, aluminum marker, which stands at the final resting places of their ancestors. Until then, every spring, the bluebonnets will celebrate in their memory and honor."
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COURTESY / Wilson County News April 20, 2005
Special to the Wilson County News from Elaine Mazurek Stephens
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The Marcelina Baptist Church, 510 Cr 404, Floresville,
Texas, a little church with six pews on each side and forty-five members. They have small Sunday School classrooms that were later added onto the church buildi
Marvin Mills, president of the Marcelina Cemetery Association, welcomed families, friends, and guests. The Rev. Olen Wilson, minister of the small church, gave the invocation.
Gene Maeckel, chairman of the Wilson County Historical Society, spoke of the hard work it takes to obtain one of the markers.
"The Texas Historical Marker program is one of the best in the country," Maeckel said. "It takes careful work and dedication to obtain a historical marker."
Wilson County Judge Marvin Quinney, who was the guest speaker, praised cemetery association members for their hard work and dedication to preserving and protecting the heritage of their community.
During the ceremony, a history of the Marcelina Cemetery was given by association secretary-treasurer, Barbara Conn Mills. Lauren and Marvin Mills acknowledged the many people who made it possible for the marker to become a reality. The visitors gave thanks for their loved ones, then walked to the cemetery, only a few steps from the simple, white church. The solemn unveiling was done by J.G. Sims, a descendant of the founders. Following an outdoor benediction by the Rev. Wilson, homemade refreshments were offered in the fellowship hall of the church.
"Historic Texas cemetery markers are important, not only because they show how much a community values a landmark site, but also because they interpret the history for future generations," said Dan K. Utley, chief historian with the Texas Historical Commission. "Cemeteries are unfortunately among our most vulnerable cultural resources; they often contain information about the past that cannot be found anywhere else. In that sense, they are like libraries on a landscape."
The Marcelina Cemetery marker from the Texas Historical Commission reads, "In 1876, Isaac and Malinda Sims moved from Mississippi to Wilson County's Marcelina Community. Seven years later, they deeded part of their land for a burial ground and the Marcelina Baptist Church. Samuel Foster, Isaac's stepbrother, also deeded land, including the site of his mother's grave, for burial purposes. Over time, the two cemeteries merged into one. The oldest marked grave, that of Martin Donaho, dates to 1882. The cemetery continues to be used by the community. A cemetery association, organized in 1954 by Sally Sims and others, still maintains the burial ground, which remains a link to the area's rich history."
Near the lone picnic table under the old oak trees in the churchyard, the great-great-grandchildren played, unaware of the significance of the day, which is an important part of their family's history. Someday they will become curious about their community and thankful for the lives and history recorded on the durable, aluminum marker, which stands at the final resting places of their ancestors. Until then, every spring, the bluebonnets will celebrate in their memory and honor."
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COURTESY / Wilson County News April 20, 2005
Special to the Wilson County News from Elaine Mazurek Stephens
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The Marcelina Baptist Church, 510 Cr 404, Floresville,
Texas, a little church with six pews on each side and forty-five members. They have small Sunday School classrooms that were later added onto the church buildi
Marcelina
Primitive Baptist Church (La Vernia)
PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH.... La Vernia Wilson County Texas... October 13, 2010. A well-known structure, the Primitive Baptist Church, was moved by horses from the other side of Cibolo Creek to downtown in 1978.
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Nancy Pavlich wrote in the Wilson County News : As Wilson County closes its sesquicentennial year, celebrating its rich history, area residents have been devastated by the loss Oct. 13, 2011 of the historic Primitive Baptist Church in La Vernia. The building, more than 100 years old, was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours that day.
The La Vernia Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) was dispatched at 1:23 a.m. after someone reported a fire at the front door of the church, located behind Blockbuster and the Post Oak Plaza apartments.
According to La Vernia Fire Chief Jason Scheel, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within 40 minutes, but were unable to save the historic building. The La Vernia VFD was assisted by firefighters from the Sutherland Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Stockdale Volunteer Fire Department, as well as La Vernia Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The extensive damage may delay discovering the cause of the fire, Scheel said.
Firefighters, the fire marshal, and a canine unit all searched the site for possible clues to the cause of the blaze.
According to Scheel, a fire of this magnitude is uncommon in the La Vernia area.
"For us, it has been pretty quiet, mainly just grass fires," he said. "We haven't had a structure fire in one and a half or two years."
On Oct. 14, Edwin Baker, coordinator of the Wilson County Health and Public Safety Office, said that the cause of the fire was still undetermined.
"We don't know if it's accidental or suspicious or what," Baker said.
Doug Wildenstein and his wife, Pat, longtime members of the church, were visibly distraught at the scene. They arrived at the church at 2 a.m. and stayed all morning, watching as their church home was destroyed.
"It's just devastating," Doug said. "It's not the building that makes up the church; it's the people ... it's a special building though."
Community members are also devastated by the loss.
"It's a very sad loss for our community's history," said Elaine Stephens of the La Vernia Historical Association. "It's one of the oldest churches in La Vernia, with lots of memories and a very meaningful history."
For the time being, Pat Wildenstein said that the church members will hold services in the fellowship hall, adjacent to where the church stood. She said the congregation plans to rebuild in the same location.
"We're going to try to get it as close as possible to the original," Pat said.
She added that other churches in La Vernia have shown their support by offering worship space and hymnals.
The church building was of significant historical value as one of the oldest structures still surviving in La Vernia.
William Robert Wiseman constructed the building in 1876 on his farm on the Cibolo River. The church was moved to its current location in 1891.
The Primitive Baptist Church inherited the building from Herron Wiseman in 1978. There, the congregation held its first service on Feb. 24, 1978.
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The church's bell, from the Rector Chapel, was moved in 1891 from the other side of the Cibolo to the spot where the La Vernia Primitive Baptist Church is now located on Chihuahua Street. The bell tower became unstable, so the church donated the bell to the La Vernia Heritage Museum before the fire.."
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The La Vernia Ministerial Alliance invites donations to help rebuild the Primitive Baptist Church here, after an early-morning blaze Oct. 13, 2010 burned the historic church to the ground. The church's members intend to rebuild on the same site.
Pastor David Gale of the First Baptist Church in La Vernia said that the churches in the alliance all have voted to give the church $2,500 from the Ministerial Alliance savings.
The Rev. Robert Palan of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in La Vernia said that the churches of the Ministerial Alliance have also agreed to take a special offering for the church. Palan said the various congregations will combine their offerings into a treasury and present the gift to the members of the Primitive Baptist Church.
The gift will be presented to the church members during the first week of November.
"We just know that there is a need," Palan said. "We wanted to show our care for the congregation, for our brothers and sisters and their loss."
The Nixon State Bank branch in La Vernia is also accepting donations. Checks can be made payable to the La Vernia Primitive Baptist Church, or advise a bank representative that cash donations are intended for the church.
According to Edwin Baker, coordinator with the Wilson County Health and Public Safety office, the cause of the fire remains undetermined. The fire is still under investigation.
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Primitive Baptist Church to dedicate new building..... The congregation of the La Vernia Primitive Baptist Church invites everyone to attend the dedication of the new church building on Saturday, March 31, 2012 and Sunday, April 1,2012. The church has been rebuilt following the fire that devastated the historic building in October 2010.
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COURTESY/Wilson County News
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Nancy Pavlich wrote in the Wilson County News : As Wilson County closes its sesquicentennial year, celebrating its rich history, area residents have been devastated by the loss Oct. 13, 2011 of the historic Primitive Baptist Church in La Vernia. The building, more than 100 years old, was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours that day.
The La Vernia Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) was dispatched at 1:23 a.m. after someone reported a fire at the front door of the church, located behind Blockbuster and the Post Oak Plaza apartments.
According to La Vernia Fire Chief Jason Scheel, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within 40 minutes, but were unable to save the historic building. The La Vernia VFD was assisted by firefighters from the Sutherland Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Stockdale Volunteer Fire Department, as well as La Vernia Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The extensive damage may delay discovering the cause of the fire, Scheel said.
Firefighters, the fire marshal, and a canine unit all searched the site for possible clues to the cause of the blaze.
According to Scheel, a fire of this magnitude is uncommon in the La Vernia area.
"For us, it has been pretty quiet, mainly just grass fires," he said. "We haven't had a structure fire in one and a half or two years."
On Oct. 14, Edwin Baker, coordinator of the Wilson County Health and Public Safety Office, said that the cause of the fire was still undetermined.
"We don't know if it's accidental or suspicious or what," Baker said.
Doug Wildenstein and his wife, Pat, longtime members of the church, were visibly distraught at the scene. They arrived at the church at 2 a.m. and stayed all morning, watching as their church home was destroyed.
"It's just devastating," Doug said. "It's not the building that makes up the church; it's the people ... it's a special building though."
Community members are also devastated by the loss.
"It's a very sad loss for our community's history," said Elaine Stephens of the La Vernia Historical Association. "It's one of the oldest churches in La Vernia, with lots of memories and a very meaningful history."
For the time being, Pat Wildenstein said that the church members will hold services in the fellowship hall, adjacent to where the church stood. She said the congregation plans to rebuild in the same location.
"We're going to try to get it as close as possible to the original," Pat said.
She added that other churches in La Vernia have shown their support by offering worship space and hymnals.
The church building was of significant historical value as one of the oldest structures still surviving in La Vernia.
William Robert Wiseman constructed the building in 1876 on his farm on the Cibolo River. The church was moved to its current location in 1891.
The Primitive Baptist Church inherited the building from Herron Wiseman in 1978. There, the congregation held its first service on Feb. 24, 1978.
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The church's bell, from the Rector Chapel, was moved in 1891 from the other side of the Cibolo to the spot where the La Vernia Primitive Baptist Church is now located on Chihuahua Street. The bell tower became unstable, so the church donated the bell to the La Vernia Heritage Museum before the fire.."
***************
The La Vernia Ministerial Alliance invites donations to help rebuild the Primitive Baptist Church here, after an early-morning blaze Oct. 13, 2010 burned the historic church to the ground. The church's members intend to rebuild on the same site.
Pastor David Gale of the First Baptist Church in La Vernia said that the churches in the alliance all have voted to give the church $2,500 from the Ministerial Alliance savings.
The Rev. Robert Palan of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in La Vernia said that the churches of the Ministerial Alliance have also agreed to take a special offering for the church. Palan said the various congregations will combine their offerings into a treasury and present the gift to the members of the Primitive Baptist Church.
The gift will be presented to the church members during the first week of November.
"We just know that there is a need," Palan said. "We wanted to show our care for the congregation, for our brothers and sisters and their loss."
The Nixon State Bank branch in La Vernia is also accepting donations. Checks can be made payable to the La Vernia Primitive Baptist Church, or advise a bank representative that cash donations are intended for the church.
According to Edwin Baker, coordinator with the Wilson County Health and Public Safety office, the cause of the fire remains undetermined. The fire is still under investigation.
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Primitive Baptist Church to dedicate new building..... The congregation of the La Vernia Primitive Baptist Church invites everyone to attend the dedication of the new church building on Saturday, March 31, 2012 and Sunday, April 1,2012. The church has been rebuilt following the fire that devastated the historic building in October 2010.
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COURTESY/Wilson County News
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ... Joseph Polley and John Sutherland also co-founded a church in Sutherland Springs Texas. The former had sponsored a Sunday school in Austin's Colony and at Whitehall. His preferred denomination is not clear, but his wife was a Presbyterian and he met the Hardinges at a revival sponsored by Southern Methodists, the most numerous denomination in Texas on the eve of the Civil War. On the other hand, Sutherland was a "zealous" Methodist who had served as the president of the Colorado County Bible Society when it organized at Egypt in 1839. The community had been served previously by Methodist circuit riders such as John S. McGee, but now Sutherland and Polley had the small rock schoolhouse. Together they co-sponsored the installation of the Sutherland Springs circuit within the Rio Grande (later West Texas) Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Alexander A. Smithwick of North Carolina became the first assigned pastor, arriving shortly before 1860. Smithwick died in September 1860 at the age of 29, but his place was quickly taken by John S. Gillett, who in 1861 ministered to 86 white and 21 black members of the Sutherland Springs circuit. (Courtesy by the Author of Sutherland Springs Texas: Saratoga on the Cibolo, Richard McClasin)
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The 1910 census reported that an Apostolic minister, James W. Scott, lived in the new town, and the next year the First Street Presbyterian Church opened its doors in New Sutherland Springs. The older town still attracted summer religious encampments, but it apparently had no established church. (Courtesy by the Author of Sutherland Springs Texas: Saratoga on the Cibolo, Richard McClasin)
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26 Aug 1911 Sutherland Springs Texas First Presbyterian Church was located in New Town that is across the Cibolo Creek high water bridge on FM 539. It is said that the bell that rang many years in the Sutherland Springs Methodist Church came from the Presbyterian Church which had a bell tower. The bell now is resting in the tower of the new First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. If these bells are the same, it is over a hundred years old.
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A run of bad luck ravaged Sutherland Springs during the 1920s. Farm prices remained low in Texas and the United States throughout the decade. In 1927, the same year that Fitch's glowing review appeared, a fire from an exploding oil stove on the back porch of a home once owned by Jack Sutherland burned several blocks in the original community. Six homes and the Baptist church were destroyed, for a loss of $25,000 in property, while a dozen other structures were badly damaged, including the Presbyterian church. Hundreds of men fought the blaze with buckets because they had no fire-fighting equipment. (Courtesy by the Author of Sutherland Springs Texas: Saratoga on the Cibolo, Richard McClasin)
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13 May 1932 The Sutherland Springs High School held their commencement in the Presbyterian Church.
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The 1910 census reported that an Apostolic minister, James W. Scott, lived in the new town, and the next year the First Street Presbyterian Church opened its doors in New Sutherland Springs. The older town still attracted summer religious encampments, but it apparently had no established church. (Courtesy by the Author of Sutherland Springs Texas: Saratoga on the Cibolo, Richard McClasin)
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26 Aug 1911 Sutherland Springs Texas First Presbyterian Church was located in New Town that is across the Cibolo Creek high water bridge on FM 539. It is said that the bell that rang many years in the Sutherland Springs Methodist Church came from the Presbyterian Church which had a bell tower. The bell now is resting in the tower of the new First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. If these bells are the same, it is over a hundred years old.
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A run of bad luck ravaged Sutherland Springs during the 1920s. Farm prices remained low in Texas and the United States throughout the decade. In 1927, the same year that Fitch's glowing review appeared, a fire from an exploding oil stove on the back porch of a home once owned by Jack Sutherland burned several blocks in the original community. Six homes and the Baptist church were destroyed, for a loss of $25,000 in property, while a dozen other structures were badly damaged, including the Presbyterian church. Hundreds of men fought the blaze with buckets because they had no fire-fighting equipment. (Courtesy by the Author of Sutherland Springs Texas: Saratoga on the Cibolo, Richard McClasin)
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13 May 1932 The Sutherland Springs High School held their commencement in the Presbyterian Church.
First Presbyterian Church
Caddo, Texas
CADDO TEXAS ... There are huge gaps between the few known facts about this Caddo (one of four by that name in Texas). Its settlement occurred around the Civil War years and the next mention is the mid 1890s when their school had an enrollment of 64. No population figures are given, but there were enough people to support a gin and a church in the 1930s. After WWII both school and gin closed leaving the church, a cemetery and a few private residences.
Courtesy TexasEscapes.com
CADDO, TX (WILSON COUNTY).Caddo is on Farm Road 3335 eighteen miles northeast of Floresville in eastern Wilson County. The community was first settled around the time of the Civil War. A school was in operation there by 1896, when it had an enrollment of sixty-four. In the mid-1930s Caddo had a school, a gin, a church, and a number of houses. After World War II the school and gin were closed, and in the early 1990s only the church and a few scattered houses remained.
Courtesy Texas State Historical Society
Courtesy TexasEscapes.com
CADDO, TX (WILSON COUNTY).Caddo is on Farm Road 3335 eighteen miles northeast of Floresville in eastern Wilson County. The community was first settled around the time of the Civil War. A school was in operation there by 1896, when it had an enrollment of sixty-four. In the mid-1930s Caddo had a school, a gin, a church, and a number of houses. After World War II the school and gin were closed, and in the early 1990s only the church and a few scattered houses remained.
Courtesy Texas State Historical Society
Caddo, Texas
