Historical Marker

Rock Island Baptist Church

Historical marker location:
549 West 11th Street, Port Arthur, Texas
( Northeast Corner of West 11th Street at Rev. Raymond Scott Avenue (Kansas Avenue))
Marker installed: 2011
Marker size: 27" x 42"

ROCK ISLAND BAPTIST CHURCH

IN 1910, A SMALL GROUP OF CHRISTIANS (KNOWN AS THE SIXTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH) BEGAN WORSHIPING IN PORT ARTHUR. THE FOLLOWING YEAR, IN 1911, THE ROCK ISLAND BAPTIST CHURCH ORGANIZED WHEN ELEVEN MEMBERS FROM THE SIXTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH DECIDED TO FORM A NEW CHURCH. FOR TWO YEARS, THE GROUP WORSHIPPED IN A HOUSE RENTED FROM REV. N.S. GRAY. REVEREND HENRY ROY SERVED AS THE CHURCH’S FIRST PASTOR UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1915.

IN 1913, THE PARISHIONERS PURCHASED LAND ON THIS SITE AND BUILT A LARGE CHURCH BUILDING. THE CHURCH SERVED AS A MEETING PLACE FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICES, BUT ALSO AS THE FIRST KINDERGARTEN FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN IN PORT ARTHUR. IN 1939, A NEW TWO-STORY BUILDING WAS ERECTED AND THE OLD CHURCH WAS MOVED TO THE REAR OF THE LOT. THE OLD CHURCH BUILDING WAS FIRST USED BY THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION AND THEN BY THE ST. JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH. THE CHURCH EXPANDED THEIR GROUNDS BY CONSTRUCTING A CHURCH PARKING LOT IN 1966, PURCHASED LAND TO BUILD A NEW SANCTUARY IN 1967, AND ADDED A PARSONAGE IN 1976. IN 1979, THE CHURCH DIVIDED AND SOME MEMBERS UNITED WITH THE SOLID ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND MISSIONARY WORK HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CHURCH’S MISSION SINCE THE CONGREGATION’S FOUNDING. THE CHURCH CREATED RADIO, BUS, AND PRISON MINISTRIES, ESTABLISHED A SCHOLARSHIP FUND, AND A VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PROGRAM. THE CHURCH CONTINUES TO ASSIST CHURCH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED AND ALSO SUPPORTS LOCAL CHARITIES AND FOREIGN MISSIONS. THE MEMBERS AND PROGRAMS OF THE ROCK ISLAND BAPTIST CHURCH CONTINUE TO ACT AS A SPIRITUAL BASE FOR THE PORT ARTHUR AREA.

175 YEARS OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE * 1836-2011

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.

Churches
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas is known for its barbecue, and one of the most famous barbecue restaurants in the state is Kreuz Market in Lockhart. The restaurant has been in operation since 1900 and is still family-owned.
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 concise overview of the key events in 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.