El Campobr/Wharton County, Texasbr/29 11.773' N 96 16.348' Wbr/Location: 206 Depot Streetbr/ br/Text: Between 1890 and 1898, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, German Lutheran, and Swedish Methodist churches were organized in El Campo. The towns first Baptist church was organized on April 28, 1895, by the Rev. J.P. Rutledge and nine original members - B.T. Majors, Willie Downing, G.W. Siddons, Mr. and Mrs. S.B. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Skinner, Ella Pettit, and S.B. Callahan. Early services were held on the fourth Saturday and Sunday of each month. In 1898, funds were raised to erect a permanent house of worship for the congregation. Church trustees purchased land at the corner of Jackson and Depot Streets, and a frame structure was soon built. The congregation continued to grow and a three-story brick church was built at the same location in 1928. The church has constructed several later buildings at the Jackson and Depot site. Several organizations have been formed within the congregation throughout the years. The Ladies Aid (later known as The Women's Missionary Union) was founded prior to 1903. The Baptist Young Peoplersquo;s Union was active by 1927. The spirit of giving has been evident from the churchrsquo;s beginning. Donations have been collected from the congregation including home and foreign missions, Bucknerrsquo;s Orphanrsquo;s Home and Palacios Academy. In 1975, the church purchased property to be used to build a mission church (now Bethel Baptist Mission). Today, El Campo First Baptist Church remains a spiritual leader in the community.br/ br/Date Photographed: 20-12-24