First Baptist Church of Brownfield

The rancher the town was named for backed its churches without belonging to most of them. Marion V. Brownfield, born in Iowa in 1854, trailed herds to Kansas after 1871 and in 1896 leased 100 sections in Terry and Lynn counties, later running his Saucer Block brand on fifty-two sections from a headquarters on Lost Draw. When the townsite was bought from his son Dick in 1903 the family helped lay it out. A Lutheran, he gave to every church and school in town, donated the cemetery land and became first president of the bank.

What the plaque says

First Baptist Church of Brownfield Circuit riding preachers led early Brownfield settlers in religious services at a local schoolhouse. On April 1, 1906, several area residents formed a Baptist church. The Rev. M.D. Williams became the congregation's first pastor. The church built its first sanctuary in 1910 in the 300 block of West Hill Street. The Woman's Missionary Society raised funds for the lumber, and the men constructed the building. Facilities were added as needed until 1923, when the church began plans for a new house of worship at the present site. The mission-minded congregation and its facilities have continued to grow, sponsoring projects locally and worldwide. (2004)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Maids and Matrons Club — steps away
• Colonel B. F. Terry and Terry's Texas Rangers — 0.2 mi
• City of Brownfield — 0.2 mi
• Brownfield Municipal Power Plant — 0.3 mi