First Baptist Church of Trenton
Trenton, Fannin County, Texas
Marker Inscription
On January 7, 1877, Trenton Baptists began worshiping in the Burns school house. The church body organized as Smyrna Baptist Church of Christ, with Martin W. Gentry as the first pastor. In 1886, the church called their second pastor in Jno. William Connelly. The church entered into fellowship with the Sister Grove Association in 1878 until the Fannin County Baptist Association formed in 1889. In 1897, under the leadership of Rev. J. M. Harder, the church built a frame building on the present site. A fire in November 1953 completely destroyed the sanctuary. The congregation met in the high school auditorium until a new church was completed in July 1954. The church continues to support global missions and community needs. (2013)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In January 1877 the Baptists of Trenton first gathered to worship in the Burns school house, organizing soon after as Smyrna Baptist Church of Christ under their first pastor, Martin W. Gentry. The congregation raised a frame sanctuary on this site in 1897 and, after fire destroyed it in 1953, met in the high school auditorium until a new church was finished in 1954. Through associational ties and a century of rebuilding, the church has remained a fixture of community life in Fannin County.
Why it matters
Rural congregations like this one anchored the frontier communities of North Texas, doubling as school, meeting hall, and social center as the region settled.
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Related people
- · Martin W. Gentry
- · Jno. William Connelly
- · J. M. Harder
Themes & tags
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