First Baptist Church of Tyler
Tyler, Smith County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Organized on April 8, 1848, with six charter members, this congregation first met in a log cabin courthouse on the town square. Led by elders W. H. Ray and W. B. Langston, services were held monthly, with members being called by the blowing of a horn. After a new courthouse was built in 1851, the church met in the Odd Fellows Hall and the U. S. Federal courtroom. In 1855, a building was erected to serve as both church and school, but it was soon destroyed in a fire. A second, brick church was built in 1859, and in 1882 was also destroyed by fire. A third sanctuary on North Bois d'Arc Street, home to the congregation since 1886, was dedicated in 1889. One of the earliest Baptist churches organized in Texas still in existence, it was officially chartered in 1882 as the Baptist Church of Tyler. The name became First Baptist Church of Tyler when it sponsored a mission, now Calvary Baptist Church, in 1888. The present church structure was built in 1913, during the pastorate of Dr. G. L. Yates. Educational wings were added in 1937, 1959, and 1980. The beaux arts style sanctuary features massive columns, pedimented portico, quoins, and full entablatures. Later alterations include modern stained glass windows. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1987
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1848 with just six charter members meeting in a log-cabin courthouse, this congregation summoned worshippers by blowing a horn in the young town of Tyler. Fire twice destroyed its buildings, in 1855 and again in 1882, before the congregation settled on North Bois d'Arc Street and dedicated a sanctuary in 1889. The present Beaux Arts church, with its massive columns and pedimented portico, rose in 1913, making this one of the oldest continuously existing Baptist churches in Texas.
Why it matters
It shows how frontier faith communities anchored new East Texas towns, doubling as schools and courtrooms and rebuilding again and again through fire and hardship.
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Themes & tags
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