San Saba’s First Baptist Church was founded in the early part of 1856, before the town of San Saba was organized later in the year. The original site was on Simpson’s Creek, three miles east of town on Highway 190. The seven charter members met in a log house and in the homes of members. Those humble beginnings started a journey that has brought the church 165 years with people, families, and ministries that continue to serve this community and bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ.
The church persevered through some great challenges in its past. The fledgling congregation met in the courthouse in the 1870’s until that building was destroyed in that decade. It met in a small brown schoolhouse in 1878-79, sharing the building with other local churches. It was finally able to erect its own building in 1883, which was destroyed by a fire in 1923. For two years following it met in the First Christian Church Tabernacle. We are grateful today for the endurance of the early believers who persisted through struggles and maintained the local church as a witness to the community.
The church has enjoyed some great victories through the years. The basement of the old sanctuary was built in 1925 on the present location at 208 West Wallace Street. The forthcoming sanctuary was finished in 1931, with a parsonage for the pastor completed in 1932. These buildings were made possible by the donations of material and labor from members. The congregation became self-supporting in 1909, no longer receiving financial assistance from the Home Mission Board. All of the debts were paid off in 1942 and a homecoming and dedication celebration was hosted on March 15th of that year. The congregation built the education building in 1973 and experienced multiple renovations and remodels of its facilities to enhance ministry and preserve the buildings.
The present congregation of San Saba’s First Baptist Church is indebted to the visionary founders who sacrificed and served to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with San Saba and strived to develop fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. We have been blessed to worship in a new sanctuary for the past 15 years and to utilize the newly remodeled Children’s Area, including both the old sanctuary and education space, beginning this year. We praise God for His faithfulness and provision for these projects, which has enabled the church to continue debt free.
I invite you to come worship with us this Sunday, November 14th, as we celebrate the past and dedicate the future of San Saba’s First Baptist Church! Walk through the facility and fellowship with others this Sunday morning at 9:30 and gather with the congregation at 10:30 for a time of worship. We invite you and your family to enjoy a thanksgiving lunch with us at noon. This church is founded on the Bible and exists for the glory of God. We are here to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world, beginning in our community, and to help people grow in their faith and become fruitful followers of Jesus Christ. We look to the past with thanksgiving and dedicate the future to God’s glory.