History
Explore the rich 178-year history of our church, from its founding in 1847 to its ongoing legacy of faith, community, and service. Learn how our story shapes our mission today and inspires our future.
Organized on July 31, 1847, with nine charter members, First Baptist Church of Gonzales has the distinction of being one of the oldest churches in Texas. In 1851, a 99-year lease was secured from the corporation of Gonzales on the south half of the Church Square, and in August of 1854, the first building was erected. At the time of the church building's dedication in 1854, the church was given the name Baptist Church of Christ.
Z. N. Morrell
Z.N. Morrell was the first pastor of our church. An article in the July 27, 1972, edition of the Gonzales Inquirer commemorated the history of the Baptist movement in Gonzales. The article stated that Z.N. Morrell was an interesting combination of missionary, frontiersman, and preacher. The Inquirer article included the following about Morrell: "He will stand in the history of Gonzales as the first Baptist to preach in this area and one of the organizers of the first church here." Z.N. Morrell's book, Flowers and Fruits in Wilderness, provides an eyewitness account of the problems faced by frontier missionaries during the early days of the Republic of Texas. On December 19, 1883, after a historic 50-year ministry, Z.N. Morrell died in Kyle, Texas. He is buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.
Thomas J. Pilgrim, a deacon and charter member of First Baptist Gonzales, organized the first Sunday School in Texas in 1846 or 1847, which lasted for about thirty years. Pilgrim was also involved in politics, serving as county treasurer and justice of the peace for three terms. He passed away on October 30, 1877, and was buried in Gonzales, leaving behind a rich history for the church.
Thomas J. Pilgrim
J. H. Thurmond
First Baptist has long had the reputation of being a mission-minded church, supporting state and home missions as well as foreign missions. While J. H. Thurmond was pastor of the Gonzales church, he decided it was his duty to go farther west and preach the Gospel. Thurmond established a mission in San Antonio, which later became the First Baptist Church. He was the pastor of that church from 1861 to 1865. Our church gave $10 to help that mission, which equates to about $383 in today's value!
Historical Mission Projects
In 1902, the church voted to begin mission work on the west end of town and north of the cotton mill, now Eastside Baptist Church at 701 Seydler Street. Another mission of First Baptist is now Memorial Heights Baptist Church at 1330 North College Street.
