About Us
Serving the DeSoto Area since October 1889
The First Baptist Church of DeSoto was organized in 1889. This date is accepted because “organized in 1889” is handwritten on all available minutes books and reports (the earliest of these reports are minutes posted in 1922). The date is also in several newspaper articles and a book on Baptist history. After extensive research, the First Baptist Church Centennial Committee has accepted this date.
When the Salem church building was moved to DeSoto, it was placed on land deeded to the Union Church by Peter “Uncle Pete” Bordner on September 28, 1891. The property was located south and a little west of the artesian well, adjacent to the present water tower site on Belt Line Road and Hampton Road. After it was set up in DeSoto, it became known as the Union Church building. This became the Sunday meeting place shared by the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Church of Christ. As was traditional at that time, each denomination met on their Sunday once a month.
There is some confusion as to exactly when the Salem building was moved to DeSoto; some say around 1891, others give the date as 1893. In an article written by Mrs. S. N. Parks in 1918, she states “Thirty-two years ago the school (referring to the Salem building) was moved to DeSoto and the building was erected on the lot where the Union Church now stands”. Thereby, making the date of the move 1886. According to a Dallas County Baptist Association record book, in 1893 at the Union Baptist Church in Carrollton, petitionary letters for admittance to Dallas County Baptist Association were presented from the Baptist Church from DeSoto, along with churches in Kleburg and Rowlett. These were “duly received and the right hand of fellowship was extended to their messengers by the moderator G. W. Hood”. J. M. Griffith and Isaac Fisher were the messengers from DeSoto.
In 1903, the Union Church building was damaged by a severe storm. For the next twenty years, it stood braced with poles and wires. Soon afterward, the other denominations moved out leaving the Baptist Church as the last remaining congregation.
The First Baptist Church building was built in 1922 from parts of the old Union Church. Some of the timbers in this building have been a part of churches since 1889. In 1922, Annabelle Parks, wife of Dr. S. N. Parks, donated the land on Belt Line Road to the Baptists for a church site. (Dr. Parks was a descendant of Curtis Parks, the first settler in DeSoto in 1847). Using some of the timbers from the old Union Church building, the congregation built a church on the present property at 221 West Belt Line Road. J. M. Bragg, R. D. Anderson, “Uncle” Dick Taylor, Curn Mayfield, T. E. Cheshier, and W. N. Love were among those who helped build this building.
In September, Pastor Bob Burleson conducted the first services in the new building. At a revival in August of that year, 15 were added by baptism, two by letter and one came for restoration. Once, during a drought, baptism was delayed several weeks because they couldn’t find enough water. Baptismal services were usually held at Ten-Mile Creek, sometimes called the “Blue Hole”.
The membership of First Baptist Church includes people from all walks of life. Along with our large group of retired persons, our membership includes business and professional people such as teachers, medical personnel, salespersons, beauticians, etc.
In October of 1989, First Baptist Church of DeSoto celebrated her 100th anniversary with an “old fashioned day” homecoming with “dinner on the ground”.
During the 1990s through the present time, improvements include a computer for the Church, a Church website, new carpets, signs for the classrooms, much-needed repairs or “facelift” in the sanctuary, and a new sign more visible to the community. Our Pastor, Dr. Kerry Moore, also became a part of the North-Central Association.