Columbus Avenue Baptist Church
Waco, McLennan County, Texas
Marker Inscription
On December 24, 1900, a group of Baptists living in the newly developed north Waco neighborhood gathered together at the home of J.T. Strother to discuss the formation of a new congregation. With assistance from the first Baptist Church of Waco, which granted lettersof transfer to twenty-three of its members, the north Waco Baptist Church officially began in Januarly 1901. Early worship services were held in the second Presbyterian Church and inthe YMCA building until land at this site was acquired in March 1901. The church was renamed Columbus Street Baptist Church. The Rev.R. G. Bowers was called as first Pastor in may, and a Small frame sactuary was ereected in October 1901. Continued growth over the years led to construction of larger facilities. In 1926 the church when the street was renamed. Throughout its history, this congregation has mainatained a strong community involvement, ministering to the elderly, students, waretime soldiers stationed at nearby camps, the deaf, and disadvantaged, as well as to mission congregations througout the city.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
On Christmas Eve 1900, Baptists in the fast-growing north Waco neighborhood gathered in a private home to plan a new congregation, and with twenty-three members transferred from First Baptist Church, they organized in January 1901. They worshiped in a Presbyterian church and the YMCA until raising a small frame sanctuary that October, later renaming the church for the street it stood on. Over the decades the congregation grew and reached out to students, the elderly, the deaf, soldiers at nearby camps, and the disadvantaged across the city.
Why it matters
Founded as Waco boomed at the turn of the century, this church reflects the Progressive-era spirit of urban congregations that paired worship with wide-ranging social ministry.
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Related people
- ¡ Rev. R. G. Bowers
- ¡ J.T. Strother
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Austin Avenue United Methodist Church
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As the 19th century closed, Waco's Fifth Street Methodist congregation had simply grown too large, so in 1900 the conference approved a new church for the city. Chartered the next year with 81 members, Austin Avenue Methodist built its first sanctuary in 1902 and grew alongside its neighborhood, eventually outgrowing that home and building anew a block away. Through the decades it sustained a steady tradition of community outreach.
Austin Avenue Methodist Church
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