A Picture Of Members of the First Baptist Church

  This was sent to me by   Harold W. Billings. You can reach him by email for more information at:   <billings@mail.utexas.edu>

       The First Baptist Church was established in Fredericksburg in 1921.  Seated second from the left are my grandmother Susie Billings and my grandfather Rev. L.H. Billings is seated at the end.   Others in the organizing group included Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sattler, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Goodale, Fred and Frank Goodale, John W. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Fries, Mrs. Lue Bruce, and Mrs. Tounsend.  I don't know these people, or who was taking the picture of the original members -- although it was the likely husband of the woman sitting with a hat in her hand.  The location appears to be the Billings House on the Hill.

        This picture was reproduced in "That They Go Forward:  A History of  the First Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, Texas, 1921-1971," by Mrs. Ethel  Fischer (Fredericksburg, Tx., 1971)

        She describes the origin of the church thusly:

      "Baptists got a late start in Fredericksburg, due to the fact that Fredericksburg citizens, of  staunch, God fearing German descent, are traditionally wedded to the ritualistic Roman Catholic and Lutheran faiths ... However, Rev. L.H. Billings, who had pastured small rural churches in the nearby communities of Eckert, Willow City, Doss, Cain City and Reservation, felt led of God to attempt to plant the Baptist witness in the county seat.  For years he had held monthly services at the Nebo School with kerosene lamps providing the light.  He drove over dirt roads from Harper and received no set salary for his labor, just whatever he gleaned from the "hat collection.""
       "At the time, about 1918, when he was serving as Associational Missionary, Rev. W.D. Bowen, District Missionary, helped him hold a revival in Fredericksburg.  The services were held under a large tent pitched on the courthouse square.  A lumber yard provided the lumber for  seats and platform, a furniture dealer lent 100 chairs, and someone one lent a piano.  Miss Bettie Thomas (now Mrs. Henry Kirk), who was a member of  the Willow City Baptist Church, played the piano and led the singing for every service.  The preachers stayed in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John  Thomas.  Large crowds attended the services out of curiosity, and some found Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
       "Some time later, on July 28, 1921, the Baptist people in the community decided to organize the First Baptist Church of Fredericksburg.  Rev. Bowen, Rev. L.L. Lusk and Rev. Billings composed the presbytery ...
     "Rev. Billings was called as pastor.  Although he moved on the field and labored for more than nine years, the church made little progress.  Later Dr. John A. Held was to say, 'The church never did reach any vital life until its reorganization and separation from certain influences that wrought constant defeat.'
       "Services were held in a rock residence at the corner of South Adams and East San Antonio Streets on the lot now occupied by Fredericksburg Machine and Appliance Company.  Financial support came almost entirely from the State Mission Board, and the church was never able to acquire a permanent place of worship.  The ordinance of baptism was administered in the river or creek.
       "Later the Billings home became a favorite place for the youth of the town to congregate.  At a time when only large cities had public swimming pools and none but the wealthy owned private pools, Rev. Billings procured a home on a hill just west of town and installed a swimming pool. After that baptisms were frequently held there.
       "Mr. John Thomas bought the place at a later date and operated the swimming pool as a paying project ...
       "Rev. Billings resigned in 1930 because of ill health.  The members scattered, and the church ceased to function as an organized body."
        The church was reconstituted in May of 1931 -- but that is another story.

       The story about the swimming pool at the House on the Hill is not accurate.  My recollection is that my grandfather purchased the home from Thomas, with the pool already installed.  My grandparents lived there until 1944, and as you know my family lived for several years across the pool in the "Bath House."  In a few days, I'll dig out the details of the
purchase of the place.  I finally found the missing box of my grandfather's papers!      --Wayne