166 Years: The Story of HFBC

Houston’s First Baptist Church is blessed with a rich heritage. From the earliest days in the life of the church, our members have committed themselves to a very specific and worthy goal. Our mission has always been to reach our community for Jesus Christ, build a caring fellowship, and teach the Bible as Truth without error.

The Beginning

Five years after the territory of Texas declared its independence from Mexico, a handful of Baptist believers gathered in Houston to unite and organize a church. Under the leadership of Elder James A. Huckins, sixteen men and women presented their letters for membership, and the First Baptist Church of Houston was born. Four years later, Texas became the 28th state in the United States, and Elder William M. Tryon accepted the pastorate of First Baptist Church. A site was chosen on the corner of Travis Street and Texas Avenue, and the church began a fundraising effort to erect its first building.

In its second decade, First Baptist experienced its first great revival. Led by pastor Thomas Chilton, twenty-seven persons were baptized, and twenty-eight were received by letter.

From its founding to the start of the Civil War, the church grew in fits and starts, even going for some time without a pastor. In 1858, membership had dropped to 99, and disagreements simmered among the members over the renting of church pews and “participation in worldly amusements.” Texas seceded from the union in 1861 and Baptists in Houston sided almost unanimously with the Confederacy. By the close of the war, the church was depleted financially and spiritually. The reconstruction years were no easier, but after a decade without a regular pastor, Rev. J.T. Zealey was called and accepted the pastorate of First Baptist Church.

The sale of the original church property provided the seed for a building fund, and in 1877 a new brick building was begun on the corner of Rusk and Fannin Streets. It was erected at the cost of $40,000.

A New Century

Dr. B.F. Riley became the church’s pastor on September 1, 1900. One week later, a hurricane struck the Gulf Coast, destroying Galveston and completely leveling the First Baptist Church building in Houston as well. The remaining property was sold, and a new site at Fannin and Walker Streets was purchased for $8,000. The new building was completed by June 1, 1904.

The Star of Hope Mission was founded in 1907 by First Baptist Pastor J.L. Gross, Assistant Pastor D.R. Peveto, and evangelist Mordecai Ham (the evangelist who was preaching when Billy Graham came to Christ).

By 1917, growth had plateaued again, and the church called 37-year old James Leavell of Oxford, Mississippi as its pastor. Dr. Leavell’s ministry was characterized by a zeal for the lost. Under his leadership the church acquired a half-block of land on Lamar between Main and Fannin in 1920 – a site which would become “home” for its congregation for the next five decades.

First Baptist’s work with Chinese Americans began in 1937 through a contact with the Chinese consulate by a missionary on
furlough. In 1940 the Chinese Sunday School was organized.

Modern Times

Houston grew to a bustling city in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s, and First Baptist Church grew with it. The church reduced its building debt greatly during this time, and by 1948 it retired its debt entirely. Wives of the men whose husbands were pastors during the years of indebtedness held candles to the note of nearly $500,000 and burned it. “First Baptist Looks to Broad Future,” the headlines read. “Church Lifts Last of Big Debt.” A move to another downtown property was rejected by vote in 1950. The Lamar Street location would be the church’s last downtown site.

First Baptist gained another young pastor in 1946 when 29-year-old William Boyd Hunt accepted its call.

A strong home missions emphasis grew even stronger through the Chinese Baptist Church, Bethel Chapel and Long Point Chapel.

Miss Lee Bryan, a Houston businesswoman, donated the cost of the “Jesus Saves” marquee installed on the roof at Main and Lamar. Its message flashed off and on during the night for years, visible from virtually any spot on Main Street.

Moving West

In 1970, the church called Dr. John R. Bisagno as its pastor. Bro. John’s youth (34 years), enthusiasm and vision was a perfect match for the time. His emphasis on evangelism, strong religious education and missions sparked a phenomenal growth in the aging downtown church. He believed that to continue to grow, the church would have to relocate, and the people agreed.

After voting to relocate in 1972, church members pledged $3.5 million for the building of a new church in over three years. When the bids came back, the lowest bid was over $8 million. Bro. John presented the shortfall to the church during a Sunday service and left the decision to them. “It’s your church,” he said. “What do you want to do?” Unanimously, they began to stand and sing, “We’ve Come This Far By Faith.” They would go forward. In April of 1977, Houston’s First Baptist Church moved to its current location at the corner of I-10 and the 610 West Loop; the busiest intersection in the Southwest.

In 1969, the church’s membership was just over 3,500. By 1985, it had more than quadrupled to 17,000.

In 1984, Bisagno challenged the church to increase its giving to foreign missions by half; adopt a sister church in Mexico City, and build 20 new churches in the next ten years. That challenge was accepted.

New Horizons

Following Bro. John’s retirement in 2000, the church was without a pastor for over four years. During those years, under the leadership of a strong laity and staff directed by Dr. David Self, there was no turning back. Membership increased. Giving increased.

Baptisms increased. In 2004, the church called Gregg Matte as its 29th pastor. Gregg was 33 years old, almost the same age Bisagno was in 1970 when he accepted the same post. The search committee’s recommendation of Gregg as senior pastor was unanimous, and on Easter Sunday, 2004, their conviction was confirmed by the congregation. A new era had begun.