History of First Baptist Church
Italy, Texas
By N. C. Bradford, Italy, Texas, 1966
(As recorded in Vol. XXI, Mrs. Feltenburger's History of Ellis County)
Contributed by Jean Caddel
Organized in Aug. of 1869 by Elder D. D. Swindall then of Lancaster. Texas. Assisted by no other minister with twelve charter members: Brethren B. F. Blassengame, J. T. Bryson, William Lacy, Elisha Richards, Mrs. Lucy Boyd, Mrs. Nancy Loyd, Mrs. N. J. Hardeman, Mrs. Polly Butts, Mrs. Emma Butler, Mrs. M. E. Haynes and Mrs. Kate Hardeman.
She was first called Houston Creek Church for the little creek on whose banks she was organized. The creek being named for General Sam Houston who once camped here on one of his trips through the country.
She bore the name of Houston Creek Church until the 16th day of June, 1881, when she changed it to Italy her present name.
She has had two houses, buildings at different places and times. The present house was dedicated Jan. 15th, 1893. Dedication sermon by Dr. R. C.. Burleson of Waco, Texas.
Her pastors have been D.D. Swindall. Aug. 1869-1873; C. C. Lee, 1873-1875; Josiah Leake, 1875=1879; E. Clark Leake, 1879-1885; D. D. Swindall, 1885-1887 (his second pastorate); R. W. Thompson, 1887-1888; E. R. Freeman, 1888-1891; A. D. Brooks, 1891-1894; W. R. W. R. Selvidge, 1894-1897; M. A. McKinney, 1897-1899; J. F. McClung, 1899-1905; J. S. Elliott, 1905-1907; C. H. Bell, 1907-1910; W. M. Daily, 1910-1912; S. A. Hayden, 1912-1913; P. L. Tomlinson, 1913-1917; C. R. Meadows, 1917-1923; L. B. Jenkins, 1923-1925; M. A. Roberts, 1925-1927; W. T. Bratten, 1927-1929; H. D. Parnell, 1929=1936; W. O. McClung, 1936-1938; E. D. Keller, 1938-1944; W. P. Murchison, 1944-1945; H. L. McNish, 1945-1946; H. M. Dry, 1948-1949; Craig Branham, 1950-1953; S. C. Wilkins, 1953-1955; Dale Leggette, 1955-1956; W. C. Coleman, 1956-1960; Edwin Crank, 1960-1963; W. F. Smith, 1963-19--, the present pastor.
She is served by a Board of ten Deacons: Bros. Joe Reynolds, Alton Chambers, L. M. Riddle, L. S. Riddle, Fred Phillips, Jim Phillips, Buster Doyle, Harold Tapp, Douglas Ward, John Sybert.
Her present membership is 336. Value of property is $35,000.00.
A group of ladies under the leadership of Rev. A. D. Brooks organized its first W. M. S. on Feb. 22, 1893. It has been in continuous operation since that time. The ladies who met and organized this society were: Mrs. M. M. Hodges, Mrs. M. L. Swindall, Mrs. M. J. Scarborough, Mrs. L. J. Bocke, Miss Octavia Wood, Miss Minnie Brooks, Mrs. L. A. Hodges, Mrs. L. Kurkendall, Mrs. L. J. Morgan, Mrs. M. F. Morgan, Mrs. M. I. Mosley, Miss Katie Scarborough and Miss Ula Morgan.
Present officers are President, Miss Francis Phillips; Secretary, Mrs. Fannie B. Chambers, Teacher, Mrs. Bill Thomas, Pianist, Mrs. Mary Smith; Song leader, Mrs. Luther Riddle.
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