First Baptist Church of Karnes City

The plaque's women's missionary society belonged to a statewide movement older than the church. After an 1878 Southern Baptist Convention resolution, Texas Baptist women organized a Woman's Missionary Union in 1880, over some men's objections, and by 1886 it was called the Baptist Women Mission Workers. Its first president, Fannie Breedlove Davis, founded the Texas Baptist Worker in 1889, a monthly published in San Antonio by a nearly all-female staff. The women's mission offerings grew from $35 in 1880 to $23,193 in 1895. The body continues as the Woman's Missionary Union of Texas.

What the plaque says

First Baptist Church of Karnes City This congregation was founded as a missionary church by The Rev. J. D. Walker in 1894, the same year the new town of Karnes City became the county seat of Karnes County. It is thought that early worship services were held in the school building. The first church building in Karnes City was the First Baptist Church erected in 1899. Other denominations shared the church building until they built their own church houses. Early baptismal services, held once or twice yearly, were administered in the San Antonio River or in a stock tank on a nearby ranch. As the membership grew, programs were added including a Womens' Missionary Society, youth group, Sunday School, and Sunbeam Band. The church helped to establish mission churches in the area. A local radio program also served the area for many years. Several property and facility additions and improvements were completed through the years to accommodate the needs of the congregation, including a parsonage, auditorium, fellowship hall, and education building. The First Baptist Church continues to provide support, education and spiritual guidance for the area as it has for over 100 years. (1996)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Panna Maria — 5.0 mi
  The Silesian village on a plateau above the San Antonio River that claims the oldest permanent Polish settlement in America, with a church of 1878 and a ceiling found again in 2000.

More markers nearby

• Karnes City — steps away
• Karnes County — 0.2 mi
• Town of Panna Maria — 5.0 mi
• Kenedy — 5.4 mi