4 /5 Bruce K.: Ive already seen the First United Methodist Church so its only fair to slide along the spectrum to the First Baptist Church in Paris. The two buildings look quite similar and both have a historical marker in front.
The marker reads, "In 1854, the Rev. Willis M. Pickett and six charter members formed the Union Baptist Church of Paris. Remaining in its original location, the church grew dramatically, eventually becoming First Baptist Church. Many prominent Baptist leaders have pastored the church, including the Rev. Robert Cooke Buckner, who, while at Paris, developed interests in outreach to orphans that led to Buckner Baptist Benevolences. He also led the church to create an early Sunday school program. The 1895 church building was razed in the 1916 fire that swept through Paris. The congregation has a distinguished record of service in local and foreign missions, and has sponsored the formation of several churches."
This is marker number 13063. It was erected in 2004 by the Texas Historical Commission. There is street parking and a large lot nearby if you wish to stop to read the marker. On a Wednesday morning, the church was locked up and secure, so I was not able to see the interior today.
