ON AUGUST 17, 1878, A GROUP OF LOCAL RESIDENTS MET IN THE HOME OF S. T. FOSTER AT 702 ANTELOPE STREET TO ORGANIZE THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CORPUS CHRISTI. UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE REV. J. W. D. CREATH, A NOTED PIONEER BAPTIST MISSIONARY, THE CHURCH WAS CONSTITUTED WITH EIGHT CHARTER MEMBERS. IN SEPTEMBER 1878, THE CONGREGATION JOINED THE BLANC0 BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, WHICH HAD BEEN FORMED FIVE YEARS EARLIER.

WORSHIP SERVICES FOR THE CHURCH WERE CONDUCTED IN A RENOVATED BLACKSMITH SHOP AT THE CORNER OF MESQUITE AND STARR STREETS UNTIL ABOUT 1908. IN 1910 THE CONGREGATION BUILT A BRICK SANCTUARY AT MESQUITE AND TAYLOR, WHICH SERVED UNTIL NEW FACILITIES WERE OCCUPIED ON OCEAN DRIVE ON MARCH 23, 1950.

FROM THE LATE 187Os, WHEN CORPUS CHRISTI WAS A SMALL ISOLATED COASTAL VILLAGE, TO THE PRESENT, THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HAS LED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA. KNOWN FOR ITS COMMUNITY SERVICE MINISTRIES AND ITS ACTIVE SUPPORT OF BAPTIST PROGRAMS, THE CHURCH HAS ALSO BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE FORMATION OF SEVERAL LOCAL CONGREGATIONS. MINISTERS HERE HAVE INCLUDED SUCH PROMINENT BAPTIST LEADERS AS DR. J. M. CARROLL, THE CHURCH'S FIRST MISSIONARY PASTOR, DR. D. B. SOUTH, R. 0. CAWKER AND DR. C. E. HEREFORD.
(1982)