First Baptist Church- Founded in 1921
1920s
On July 28, 1921 a Baptist church of eleven members was organized as a result of the sustained efforts of Rev. L.H. Billings. Billings tried for 10 years to find financial support in order to build a permanent location. He resigned in 1930 discouraged and in ill health.
1930s
In the spring of 1931 Dr. John A. Held led a revival in Fredericksburg and on May 3rd eighteen people banded together to reconstitute the church. Rev. F.W. Bartel was called as pastor for the Fredericksburg and Boerne churches with the State Mission Board providing most of the financial support for both churches. In August of 1931, with the members providing most of the work and buying their own pews, the congregation moved into it’s first home. Rev. F.E. Kirchner became pastor in the fall of 1935 and ministered to the Fredericksburg, Boerne, and Comfort churches.
1940s
In December 1944, Rev. Thomas D. Dunaway became the first full time pastor and when building supplies were released after WW 2, the first parsonage was built. The pastor from April to November of 1948 was Rev. Don R. Hendricks. From 1949-1953 Rev. Ike Hargrove was pastor and the church achieved financial independence and also started a building fund.
1950s
After Rev. Hargrove left, Rev. D.B. South became interim pastor and the first deacon ordination was held. Marvin Daniel, Bennie H. Heinen, Ralph Swanson, and J. Luther Watson became the first deacon body. In 1953, the next pastor, Rev. J.M. Garner led the church to purchase the building occupied by Bethany Lutheran Church located at 107 E. Austin St. This was a time of expansion and new building projects. The congregation moved into the new location Feb. 13, 1954. From 1955-1957 Rev. J.W. Moffitt was pastor. Rev. Glen Reddell pastored from 1957-1960 at which time Logan Templeton was ordained to the ministry and Tommy Biles was licensed to preach.
1960s
From January to September of 1961, Rev. J. Melvin Ray served as pastor. During the pastorate of Rev. J.N. Coffman, 1961-1976, a wing was added to the educational building and a new parsonage was built.
1970s
In May of 1977 Rev. Robert Hahn became pastor and even more renovation was done.
1980s
In January 1981 Melvin Fields became pastor and a full time secretary was added along with Joe Taylor being added as youth/recreation director. Rev. Raymond Woodruff pastored from Feb. 1983 to December 1987. James Collins joined the staff in January 1985 as music and youth director. In 1985 the congregation voted to purchase 5.7 acres on highway 290 and in 1987 voted to build a new building. Dr. Ernie Wells served as interim pastor from Jan. to June 1988. Rev. Hollas Hoffman became pastor in July 1988 and the last service on Austin St. was held December 18, 1988. On Christmas morning 1988 members moved into their new home at 1407 E. Main. A new mission was organized in June 1989 in Stonewall and became a full time church.
1990s
Dr. Ernie Wells served as interim pastor from September 1990 to May 1991. Randy Zgabay became part time youth assistant in Dec. 1991. Rev. Allan Knuckles served as pastor from June 1991 to December 1992 and Rev. Bob Schmeltekopf served from Jan. to March 1993. Rev. D.G. McCoury was interim pastor from April to Sept. 1993 and was called to full time ministry October 3, 1993. The church indebtedness was paid off in Dec. 1995. An additional 9.5 acres was purchased and plans were made to construct a new sanctuary with more educational space. On Aug. 10, 1997 the ground breaking ceremony was held and on July 26, 1998 the congregation had a “Crossing Over” ceremony. The members contributed with not only tithes but also purchased pews, bibles, organ, piano, foyer benches among other things. In Sept. 1998 Caryl Christensen was called as Minister of Children/Preschool and Donna Vaughan as Music Minister.
2000s
Ken Stemler was called as Pastoral Ministries Assistant in 2000. Les and Marie Bray’s generous gift allowed the building of the Oma Lovell Activities Building in 2001. Steve Livingston was called as Assistant Pastor in Feb. 2002. March 2002 Sue Gustin was called as the children's minister. Rev. Ken Coffee was called as interim pastor in Jan. 2004 after D.G. McCoury retired in Sept. 2003. Dr. Don Higginbotham was called as pastor in Aug. 2004. Eric Odenwald was called in Nov. 2005 as full time Minister of Youth and Recreation. Gary Covin was added as Music Minister in Oct. 2006. In 2008 an additional 12,000 square feet of educational space was added.