Church History

     In 1954, the congregation of the First Baptist Church decided that they would become an extension church of the First Baptist Church of Aransas Pass who would be “the mother church” but be known as a body of believers of the First Baptist Church of Port Aransas.  The first organized church service was on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1954 held at Mr. and Mrs. Theo Bozeman’s home with Mr. L.K. Neely presiding.  There were 10 original members:

     Mr. and Mrs. L.K. Neely, Mr. and Mrs. Theo Bozeman, Mr. and Mrs. M.E. Coleman,
Mr. C.W. Belcher, Mrs. E.L. Shepard, Mrs. J.W. Belcher, Mrs. E.O. Cobb.

     Prior to that time, the dedicated Baptists had been meeting in Port Aransas (called Tarpon in the early days) since 1907.  Meetings were in individual homes, open-air services on land that had been acquired on Alister Street, rent houses, or where ever they could gather.

     Preaching was by missionaries from the Blanco Baptist Association, students from the University of Corpus Christi (now Texas A&M, Corpus Christi), and temporary visiting pastors from throughout the state.

     Once the decision had been made to become the First Baptist Church of Port Aransas, the property on Alister was put up for sale.  Plans for a 30' by 60' church building were made. Two lots were purchased across from the schoolhouse. Five thousand dollars was borrowed to build the new church. Until the new building was completed, worship service and Sunday School were held in the rent house of Mr. M.E. Coleman.

     First Baptist Church of Portland, Texas donated benches. The church joined the Blanco Baptist Association.  Mr. Ronald Griffen became the permanent pastor. In September 1954, there were 26 members on the church rolls.

     The church building was completed in 1955.  It was composed of a worship center and two small classrooms.  The adjacent lot was used for parking and further expansion of the church activities. The building continued in use as a worship center until October 2000. The original parking area is now where the existing worship center is presently located.  The original church building has been divided into three adult classrooms and a small storage area and is in use today.

     The first parsonage was a house that was built by the church adjacent to the original church building. The parsonage was used as the domicile of the pastors and church workers throughout the years until November 1993. Due to the increased membership of families with small children, the church body decided that the two-bedroom home would make an excellent nursery. Renovations began. In January 1994, renovations were completed and Nursery operations were moved from the present mail/copy room located on the first floor of the Education Building to the new facility. To provide housing for our pastor, a new parsonage was acquired in August 1998.

     Plans for an Education Building began in November of 1973.  On October 3, 1974 the following letter was sent out: “Greetings.   Great days have started memorable things rolling; D-Day, V-Day and now we have B-Day coming up this Sunday October 6^th.  First it was a dream, then a plan, later a program - "Together We Build”, and now a Ground Breaking Ceremony at 12:05 pm Sunday following the morning service.  Wednesday evening our church voted to accept a bid for the foundation and slab floor.  The contractor plans to start work next week.  Yes, it is all becoming a reality.  We praise the Lord for all this!  He is a wonderful Helper indeed.  I know you will want to rejoice with the rest of us.  Let’s make this Sunday a day to remember - BUILDING DAY!  Sunday School 10:00am, Morning Worship 11:00am.  There is a place for you, which no one else can fill, please be present.  I’m looking forward to seeing you.  Expectantly yours in Christ, John T. Frazier, Pastor.”

     The plan was for a single story building.  The building was dedicated on November 15, 1975.  In December 1983, construction began in building a second floor to the Education Building.  The first floor of the building eventually became the Fellowship Hall with a kitchen, pastor’s office and a small nursery.  The second floor became the Sunday School classrooms and the Sunday School office.  This configuration remains today with the exception of the nursery.

     On July 10, 1957 the First Baptist Church reorganized itself from a mission into a church. On May 14, 1958, the church established itself as a Southern Baptist Church and agreed to follow and support that convention. It was agreed that all offices of the church be filled by Southern Baptists. December 1, 1965 brought a landmark decision of the church that  “membership be granted to any qualified colored resident seeking such”. On January 3, 1979, the church voted to become a self-sustaining Baptist church as of January 28, 1979.   It incorporated itself under the laws of Texas (prior to this, the church was under the auspices of the First Baptist Church, Aransas Pass, Texas). In April the church applied to be a full member of the Blanco Baptist Association. On February 4, 1981, the church decided to move from the Blanco Baptist Association to become members of the Corpus Christi Baptist Association. The Constitution and By-Laws for the First Baptist Church were written and approved April 9, 1997.

     Beginning in December 1982, business-meeting minutes show preliminary discussions on building a new worship center and further expansion of the church facilities.  By the end of 1986, $10,200 had been received as designated building fund money. In September 1988, the Finance Committee made the following recommendation:  “Our building fund goal to be $100,000.00.  After this amount is raised, the Finance committee will take another look at how much more is needed to begin construction of a new Sanctuary.”

     In November 1993, a task force was formed to look at the possibility of building a new church. The task force reported that the current worship center could not be enlarged due to building codes and parking restrictions. The recommended alternative was to acquire additional land to build a church.  In July 1995, the house and property adjacent to the church’s land was acquired. In July 1998, the house and property next to the 1995 purchase was acquired. These land purchases became the church’s parking lot which was required to meet Port Aransas city codes and opened the way to build a new worship center.

     Construction began in January 2000 on our new worship center. Seating was to be for 350 people (with space to add another 100 chairs), restrooms, state of the art sound and video systems, choir rooms, baptismal, bride’s room, and preaching platform.  The dream was realized and the new worship center was dedicated in September 2000. Since that time the church has increased by 218 members and 86 baptisms.

     We, at First Baptist Church have been truly blessed by the Lord. As the town has grown, so have we. From the modest beginning in 1954 with 10 members we have grown to over 450 members. From the $5000.00 loan in 1954, we now insure the church’s property for over $1,000,000.00.  Throughout the years, the church has grown and has experienced forming choirs, Sunday School classes, missionary activities, Vacation Bible School, bus ministries, youth ministries, children’s church, and all of the activities that make up a vital, loving church congregation.  To God be the glory!

Among the "firsts" taken from the church business meeting minutes are:

• Permanent pastor - Ronald Griffen, June 20, 1954
• Baptismal service - September 5, 1954
• “Lottie Moon” offering - December 7, 1955
• Women’s Missionary Union - February 8, 1956
• Vacation Bible School - June 25-29, 1956
• Visitation program - September 5, 1956
• Wedding - January 19, 1957 - Marjorie Collins weds “Blackie” Blackard
• Use of printed bulletins - November 6, 1957
• Need for “directional signs” - April 9, 1958
• Participation in Sun Rise Service - Easter, 1959
• Treasurer’s Report published - September 17, 1969
• Highest preaching attendance - October 1969 - “75 souls overflowing the pews”
• Formal recognition of mothers on Mother’s Day - May, 1970
• Central air and heat for Worship center - Spring of 1972
• Carpet in Worship center - Spring of 1972
• Use of church stationary - September 26, 1973
• Participation in church and town Easter egg hunt - April 17, 1976
• Mention of a deacon serving the church - November 10, 1976 - Mr. J. M. Griffen
• Mary Hill Davis offering - October 5, 1977
• Choir robes - December 7, 1977
• History of church written - April 5, 1978 - written by Marjorie Blackard
• Business meeting as a self-sustaining church - February 7, 1979
• Church directory - May 9, 1979
• Christmas baskets for the needy - December 9, 1981
• Bus ministry - February 6, 1983
• Formal recognition of High School graduating seniors - May 23, 1984