First Baptist Church

1858-1998

Carthage, Texas

The Panola Watchman

October 21, 1998

First Baptist Church members at Sunday’s unveiling of a state historical marker will celebrate a record rich in God’s favor. A "note-burning" ceremony and recognition of long-time members will mark their Heritage Day observance, as the congregation commemorates what has turned out to be more "His Story " than history.

"We have invited all our previous pastors to return for the celebration: we expect many of them will be in attendance," Said James McRight, the congregation’s minister to students. One of those former pastors will be the featured speaker, Brother Richard Walters, who served the church from 1858-1960, will preach at the congregations 10:50 Am. worship service.

McRight noted, "It’s our Heritage day and we’ll be celebrating 140 years of ministry. We’ll also recognize some of the church’s oldest members. The congregation celebrated its 140^th years in April. McRight explained that the church’s 140- year history entitled the congregation to have a Texas State Historical Marker erected on the grounds.

The Note burning ceremony will be a highlight of the day’s events, and will mark the recent settlement of its debt for the 1994 construction of the activity center. Guests and members of the church will be treated to a catered lunch following the morning worship service. The "Note burning" and unveiling of the marker are set to occur soon after lunch.

According to the church’s historical sources, First Baptist Church was organized as a congregation on April 18, 1858 when Carthage was little more than a burg of 200 residents. The church was organized under the leadership of its first pastor. Rev. J. H. "Whitmore. Church records indicate that nine members united with the church on the day of its organization and the number doubled over the next eight months.

With a strong missionary zeal and a great desire to fellowship with other churches of like faith, the congregation has figured prominently in the national church body as well as in the community at home. Already in June of its first year, the congregation elected a messenger to represent her at the Easter Baptist Conference and collected an offering to support mission work. Later that year, its members voted to join Central Association and on September 14, 1873 congregation petitioned for membership in Mount Zion Baptist Association.

The congregation elected four members to a fund-raising committee in December of 1875 in order to raise money for the construction of its first building. The original frame structure was located on the corner of Market and Wellington Streets. Present facilities located on South Market Street included the sanctuary which was remodeled in 1981, a fellowship hall/education building built in 1952, the parsonage built in 1947, the office complex and fellowship hall constructed in 1984 and the congregation’s 1994 Activity/Education building.

Served by 34 pastors since its inception, the congregation enjoyed the services of its most recent pastor, Jerry Burnaman, for 21 years, longer than any other did. Burnaman left in April to accept a position as mission director-elect of the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas, headquartered in Waxahachie.

First Baptist Church members still feel their future is bright. The motto adopted by the congregation is Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The congregation will focus on its heritage Sunday while spurring itself on to continue carrying out the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19 & 20 until the last trumpet sounds.