Our Story
Explore the rich 200-year story of our church, from its founding in 1847 to its ongoing legacy of faith, community, and service. Learn how our history shapes our mission today and inspires our future.
Frontier Beginnings
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1830s-1840s – Our first pastor, Z. N. Morrell, organized FBC Gonzales as one of the first churches in Texas. He wrote, Flowers and Fruits in the Wilderness, an early eyewitness account of frontier missions in the Republic of Texas.
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1847 – FBC Gonzales was formally organized on July 31, 1847. Church deacon Thomas J. Pilgrim founded the first Sunday School in Texas. He was convinced that a church could not grow without teaching its children.
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1863 – The Gonzales Methodist congregation began using our church building for regular Sunday worship when it was not in use for our church meetings.
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1867 – The Baptist Convention of Texas held its annual session in Gonzales.
Morrell
Pilgrim
Thurmond
Ministry Expansion
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1861 – Pastor Thurmond went to San Antonio as a missionary.
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1877 – Our church held an offering to support a small mission that later became known as First Baptist San Antonio.
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1880 – Pastor Lowland lost his horse, so the church pledged $2.50 to buy him another.
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1892 – The advisory committee requested that all members refrain from bickering and fault-finding with the pastor.
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1902 – The current brick sanctuary was built. G.N. Dilworth and Hugh Lewis jointly pledged $9000, half of the total construction costs.
Building a Legacy
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1903 – George and Minnie Lacy lost their 5 children to scarlet fever within 15 days of surrendering their lives to teaching God’s Word in Mexico. In time, countless others came to Christ through their ministry.
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1912 – The church funded and maintained pioneer missionaries to China.
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1942 – Pastor Wingo and 65 members were sent out to plant Eastside Baptist Church.
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1946 – The legacy of gospel proclamation continued to grow as we eventually welcomed world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham to preach from our pulpit.
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1950 – The education building was formally opened and dedicated.
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Around this time, our church also began supporting missionaries to Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe).
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1958 – A second church plant in the north part of town grew into Memorial Heights Baptist Church.
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1960 – Pastor Foy Valentine became the Executive Director of the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
Eastside
Memorial Heights
Continued Faithfulness
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1976 – Pastor Randel Everett initiated new programs, including Wednesday night meals, the Action Program for witnessing, and men’s breakfasts. Willie Nelson planned a July 4th rock festival in Gonzales. A public meeting was held in opposition, and Pastor Everett offered help toward the cause. The opposition was not enough to keep Willie Nelson out of Gonzales.
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1981 – One hundred people were baptized during Curt Dodd’s pastorate in one year. The annual church budget was approximately $238,000.
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1996 – Our church began supporting a third church plant north of Floresville, which later became Oak Hills Community Church.
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2010s - 2020s – Within the past two decades alone, our church has faithfully pursued mission opportunities in Germany, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and around the world.
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2025 and Beyond – Strong youth and kids ministries, intentional discipleship, local outreach, prayer, and 200 years of God’s faithfulness continue to characterize our church family today.