First Baptist Church of Eden

The man who organized this church lived a hard, restless life. Zachariah Martin Wells was born in Tennessee in 1829 and moved to Burleson County; an epidemic in 1861 took his wife and two of their three sons. After settling in San Saba County in 1875 he preached across the Hill Country, and in 1880 and 1881 worked as a missionary founding Baptist churches at Menardville, Junction and Paint Rock. He organized San Angelo's Baptist church in 1884, joined the Oklahoma land rush five years later, and died in 1896. He is buried in Norman.

What the plaque says

First Baptist Church of Eden The Rev. Zachariah Martin Wells of Menard, who had organized Baptist churches in San Saba, Kimble and Menard counties, led an organizational meeting for the Eden Baptist Church in August 1886 in a community building erected as a school and ecumenical church. Charter members included his wife Nancy Wells, D. L. and Mary (Wells) Murray, William A. and Martha Ballard and Mr. and Mrs. Linam. The Rev. and Mrs. Wells lived in Eden for a short time, but moved to Lampasas County in 1888. The Eden church had a membership of 16 in 1891 and grew quickly thereafter. In May 1905 church trustees bought the land on this site from W. A. and M. J. Ballard. Many local citizens who were unaffiliated with the Baptist church contributed to the erection of a frame building. By 1906 the church had 75 members and it continued to grow. Additional wings and a belfry were added in 1912. Ministers performed baptisms at Brady Creek south of Eden and at a water tank on the Ballard land as late as 1916. Church organizations included the Ladies Aid Society, later called Women's Missionary Union; Sunbeams, a children's program; a young women's association; Red Cross service organizations which were active during World War I; and a Vacation Bible School established in 1944. The congregation gave generously to finance a new building in 1947. The church organized the Eden First Baptist Mexican Mission in 1950. The First Baptist Church thrived through the following decades, and additions were made to the building in 1981 and 1989. At the dawn of the 21st century, First Baptist Church of Eden continues in the traditions of its founders. (2000)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Presidio de San Saba — 21 mi
  The ruins of the largest Spanish presidio in Texas, built in 1757 to guard a mission to the Lipan Apache, where the Comanche and their allies first turned back Spain's frontier.

More markers nearby

• Eden — 0.2 mi
• General Ira C. Eaker — 0.3 mi
• Swedish Free Mission Church — 16 mi
• Arroyo de Juan Lorenzo — 20 mi