Historical Marker

Central Baptist Church

Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42"

CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH

ON OCTOBER 14, 1912, FIFTEEN MEMBERS OF PORT ARTHUR’S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, INCLUDING REV. J. WARREN BATES, LEFT AND ORGANIZED CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH. REV. BATES DIRECTED THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AT THE HOME OF MR. AND MRS. A.J. SINGLETON. ON DECEMBER 11, 1912, THE CONGREGATION PURCHASED LAND ON PROCTER STREET AND CONSTRUCTED A WOOD FRAME CHURCH. IN MARCH 1915, THAT CHURCH BUILDING WAS MOVED TO A NEW HOME AT 6TH STREET AND ST. AUGUSTINE AVENUE, AND SERVICES WERE HELD THERE UNTIL 1924. FROM 1924 UNTIL 1976, THE CHURCH WAS LOCATED AT 9TH STREET AND DEQUEEN BOULEVARD, MEETING FIRST IN A FRAME BUILDING AND THEN IN A BRICK SANCTUARY. IN 1973, CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH PURCHASED ACREAGE ON HIGHWAY 73 AND 46TH STREET AND COMPLETED A NEW WORSHIP COMPLEX THERE IN 1976.

IN 1925, CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH WAS THE FIRST CHURCH IN THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION TO HAVE A VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL. RADIO BROADCASTS OF EVENING SERVICES BEGAN IN 1962 UNDER REV. CARL DUCK AND IN 1971 UNDER REV. DALE KIRKHUFF THE MORNING SERVICE WAS TELEVISED. A CHILD DAY CARE CENTER BEGAN IN 1977 AND THE ACCELERATED CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SCHOOL BEGAN IN LATE 1980, BUT THESE TWO PROGRAMS WERE LATER DISCONTINUED. THE EDUCATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS WERE COMPLETED IN MAY 1983. THE CHURCH CONDUCTS EVENING SERVICES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF CYPRESS GLEN EAST NURSING HOME. THE CHURCH JOINED OTHER LOCAL CHURCHES IN SPONSORING THE ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PROGRAM. DURING HURRICANES RITA AND IKE, THE CHURCH OPENED ITS FACILITIES TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WHO CAME TO HELP WITH RECOVERY EFFORTS. FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH HAS REACHED OUT THROUGH ACTIVITIES, CHARITY AND PRAYER.

(2012)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

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Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
The discovery of oil in 1901 near Beaumont, Texas, sparked an oil boom that transformed the state's economy and led to the rise of the modern petroleum industry.
Texas random facts
Jefferson County, Texas, has a rich history that spans back several centuries. It is home to the indigenous tribes who had lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers reached the area and claimed it as part of New Spain. However, it was not until the early 19th century that the region began to see significant settlement.

In the early 1820s, Empresario Joseph Vehlein obtained a contract to settle 300 families in the region. The land, once inhabited by the Atakapa people, soon attracted settlers of various origins, including Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans. The area became known for its fertile soil, offering ideal conditions for agriculture and ranching.

The city of Beaumont was established in the mid-19th century and quickly developed into a major trading and shipping center due to its access to the Neches River and the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 marked a turning point in the county's history, as the region experienced a significant oil boom. This brought great prosperity and transformed the area's economy, leading to the development of the petrochemical industry in the following decades.

Throughout the 20th century, Jefferson County witnessed various social and economic changes. It played a key role in World War II, serving as the location for significant military activity, including the establishment of one of the largest military shipbuilding centers in the country. The county also experienced desegregation struggles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, which eventually led to greater equality.

Today, Jefferson County continues to be an important industrial center for petrochemicals and petroleum-related industries. It is also home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Jefferson County, Texas.

  • 1836: Jefferson County is established as a municipality of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838: The town of Beaumont is founded.
  • 1840: Jefferson County becomes part of the newly-formed State of Texas.
  • 1845: Texas is admitted to the United States, and Jefferson County becomes a county within the state.
  • 1858: A railroad is completed, connecting Beaumont to surrounding areas.
  • 1865: The Civil War ends, and Jefferson County begins to recover from the war's impact.
  • 1881: The Spindletop oil field, the first major oil discovery in Texas, is found in Jefferson County.
  • 1901: The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop oil field erupts, launching the Texas oil boom.
  • 1925: The Neches River is first navigable by deep-draft vessels, boosting the county's shipping industry.
  • 1943: The Port of Beaumont is established as a major center for the shipping and petrochemical industries.
  • 1989: Hurricane Gilbert strikes Jefferson County, causing significant damage to the area.
  • 2005: Hurricane Rita makes landfall in Jefferson County, leading to widespread devastation.
  • 2017: Hurricane Harvey causes widespread flooding in Jefferson County.