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The First Baptist Church that stands on Martin Luther King Drive in San Marcos is 110 years old and a bastion of history for the San Marcos African-American community. Daily Record file photo by Denise Cathey

Old First Baptist Church achieves landmark status

Historical Preservation
Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Efforts to restore the historic First Baptist Church on Martin Luther King Drive got a boost last week when the city’s Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to designate it as a local historic landmark. 

The church had been designated a “high priority” in a 1996 survey of the historic resources in the Dunbar and East Guadalupe neighborhood. The property owners, the Calaboose Museum and other local organizations and individuals have been working to gather resources to restore the church and return it to its former status as a social center for the Black community in San Marcos.

“I am extremely grateful for the community’s support and hard work that allowed the designation to become a reality. Now we have a bit more encouragement to continue moving forward as no one’s work has been in vain,” said Ramika Adams, treasurer for The Calaboose African-American Museum. 

Adams named property owners Konrad and Katie Waldhauser, Diana Baker, Carina Boston Pinales, Lisa Kelsey-Jones, the city council and mayor, members of the Calaboose board, the Historic Preservation Commission and members of the community as important players in moving the plans to restore the church forward. 

Calaboose Director Elvin Holt, Ph.D., expressed his support for the designation.

“A marker for the old church would be a wonderful boost to our restoration efforts,” he said. “I endorse this idea wholeheartedly.”

“I think it’s a critical first step of the recognition and significance of the church’s presence and historical role in the Dunbar community of San Marcos,” said Calaboose board member Skyller Walkes, Ph.D. “It’s imperative that it be commemorated on official record, as such. However, it is a step toward the magnitude of what we hope to eventually accomplish, and much more remains to be done with the support of the community, the state, and even the nation. However, for now, it is definitely an advance worth celebrating.” 

Kelsey-Jones, another Calaboose board member, echoed Walkes’ sentiments.

“This is one of many first steps that have taken place since the purchase of the building and a very important one at that. The community all around continues to be enthusiastically supportive,” she said, noting that the designation is encouraging and praising the Waldhausers for their work in preserving the church for the benefit of the community. 

“Onward and upward,” she said. “The best is yet to come.”

San Marcos Record

(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666