First Baptist Church of Nederland
Nederland, Jefferson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This congregation grew out of a revival held by a Baptist minister in the local Dutch Reformed Church. Seven charter members met in March 1907 to organize the First Baptist Church in Nederland, and the Rev. George Montgomery was called to serve as their first pastor. In the early days of the church, new members were baptized in the Neches River. Known until 1925 as Peveto Baptist Church, after faithful member Gille Peveto, First Baptist Church of Nederland has grown in numbers, and over the years has provided significant service to the community. Incise in base: Given by 1982 Silvertones Senior Adult Choir
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This congregation grew out of a Baptist revival held in Nederland's Dutch Reformed Church, reflecting the town's Dutch immigrant origins, and seven charter members organized the church in March 1907 under the Rev. George Montgomery. In its early years new members were baptized in the Neches River. Known until 1925 as the Peveto Baptist Church for a devoted early member, it grew steadily into a pillar of community service.
Why it matters
The church's roots in a Dutch Reformed community reflect the immigrant settlement that gave Nederland its name and its distinctive Gulf Coast heritage.
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Related people
- · Rev. George Montgomery
- · Gille Peveto
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
City of Nederland
Nederland, TX
Nederland was founded in 1897 by Dutch immigrants who took its name from their homeland, the Netherlands, then burdened by crowded land and worn-out soil. When the Port Arthur Land Company advertised the abundance of America, families crossed the ocean to this corner of Southeast Texas, where some were driven home by the swamps and hard climate. Those who stayed built an economy of farming and ranching that later gave way to rice-growing and the industries of the Gulf Coast.
Site of First Mercantile Building
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