History of First Baptist Church

In 1855, a land grant was made by the State of Texas, of three hundred and twenty acres out of Jubilee McKinney Survey, to one F.L. Kirtley. (Patent No. 1215, Volume 11, dated March 29, 1855, Volume B, Page 10, Deed Records of Johnson County, Texas.)

On January 12, 1859, F.L. Kirtley sold this tract of land to James F. Scurlock except for two and one half acres reserved by Kirtley for church and grave yard purposes. (Volume C, Page 516, Deed Records of Johnson County, Texas.)

On September 2, 1875, F.L. Kirtley sold this two and one half acres of land to J.D. Chambers as chairman of committee, W.S. Quinn, Clinton McCain, David Smith, J.L. Milam, Jesse Landers and James Swofford as a building committee or trustees for the Baptist Church. (Volume 24, Page 76, Deed Records of Johnson County, Texas.)

This two and one-half acres of land above described is where the present Grandview Cemetery is located. The town of Grandview was first located near this site, before the coming of the railroad.

A book titled "The Lone Star State" a history of Hill and Johnson Counties has this to say on page 193; "F.L. Kirtley was the original proprietor of the land on which Grandview now stands. He sold to Mr. Scurlock, to whom belongs most of the honor of founding the new town. The writer remembers him as being of the true material from which pioneers are made. He had long conceived the project and accordingly in the fall of (1860) he took the initial step by donating land for a new Methodist Church and Masonic Hall, and actively engaging in the raising of funds necessary for the erection of the building. The first church in the new settlement was on the edge of the timber, not far from where the new one was erected. It was a log building belonging to the Baptists, but used by all denominations. It had the old time puncheon floor and batten door, and seats of the most primitive description. It was also a school. Here the young ideas of that early time were taught the rudiments of all English education, assisted at times by the gentle stimulus of black jack and broom weed. Here also the first Masonic Lodge of Johnson County held its first meeting under dispensation. This was in December 1860. This historic building with all of its time honored associations clinging to it, is no more, and none remain to do it reverence. A great change in comfort and convenience had taken place when the church members and Masons took possession of their new quarters. It was a two story building the lower being used for church purposes, the upper by the Masons. The school was also held in the lower room. For a number of years this was the only church building in the village, but at last, in 1875 the Baptists erected a handsome building for themselves."

The minutes of Masonic lodge sets the date of their first meeting as December 12, 1860. This refers to the meeting above mentioned.

The church joined the Alvarado Association in 1868 and from that time we have associational minutes which gives our history to date with a few exceptions. This record however does not give a record of buildings. The building erected in 1875 was probably moved to our present location in 1885, for some remember the first building on this lot was a one room building facing south where the present church stands. As near as can be determined the next building was erected in 1893.

Because of some complications in the school finances the Methodist and Baptist Churches agreed to erect temporary buildings and let the school use them until such time as all would be able to erect permanent buildings. This was done and our church used this temporary building until June 14, 1924 when a two story brick building was completed.

On July 18, 1885, S.S. Ramsey and wife sold to J.A. Landers, J.E. Hollingsworth, S.C. Fowler, G.A. Harrell and R.N. Hill, deacons of the Baptist Church and their successors of office Lot No. 1, Block 41 in the new town of Grandview, which is where our church now stands. (Book 31, Page 496, Deed Records, Johnson County, Texas.)

On January 1st, 1919 D.I. Smyth and wife sold to the Baptist Church of Grandview, Texas the lot, where the parsonage was built. (Vol. 208, Page 562, Deed Records, Johnson County, Texas.)

In 1959 plans were begun for a new building. Don Dyer was pastor from December 31, 1958 to July 19, 1961 during which time about $33,000 was raised toward the new building.

On October 22, 1961, O.B. Prater came as pastor and building plans soon began to mature. January 20, 1963, ground breaking services were held and construction began in February of that year. The building was completed by July 1963. This building was located to the north and east of the old brick building which was torn down after the completion of the new building. Ground leveling and landscaping was finally completed and dedication services were held in July 1964.

The parsonage which stood east of the old church building was moved to 409 East Criner in 1962 in order to make room for the new church building. In 1974 that parsonage was sold and moved and a new brick parsonage was erected at the same location. The same year the beautiful Schulmerich Carillon bells were installed through memorial gifts.

In 1977 the church purchased a lot on Main Street north of the parsonage for future use. The same year three lots with a house were purchased adjoining the church on the east and the house was used for educational facilities. The grounds were used for parking.

In 1984 the lot and house west of the parsonage were purchased giving the First Baptist Church ownership of all the block except for two lots on the extreme east section.

After joining the Alvarado Association September 18, 1868 the church met one Sunday each month until 1888. At that time twice monthly meetings were held until 1905 when full time services were begun.