First Baptist Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1908 and completed in 1909, this buff-brick church in Stamford, Texas, is a large domed building laid out on a Greek Cross plan. Four gabled roofs cover the arms of the cross, and two-story squared entrances mark the corners. Pilaster strips, a plain metal cornice and dentil moldings give it a classical character that is uncommon in the town, especially in buildings of this size. Ten leading members of the congregation each pledged $1,000 toward construction, and it was one of the city's most elaborate and expensive structures. The congregation had been organized in early 1900. A two-story educational building was added to the east in 1932 and echoes the original materials. A 1960 wing to the south is considered non-contributing because of its recent age. Alterations include new roofing, plexiglass over the stained-glass windows and aluminum-framed doors. Local significance rests on its architecture and its long role as a landmark for one of Stamford's largest congregations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church has both historical and architectural importance. It houses one of Stamford's earliest and largest congregations and is a well-known local landmark. It is also a good example of large-scale, classically influenced church architecture, which is rare in the town.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86002359, listed September 24, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E. Oliver and N. Swenson, Stamford |
|---|---|
| County | Jones County |
| Listed | September 24, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002359 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1908, 1932 |
| Architectural style | Classical influence; Greek Cross plan with a dome |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as altered but in good condition; the congregation still owns it. Changes include composition shingle roofing, plexiglass over the stained-glass windows, and aluminum-framed doors at the corner entrances. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.94742, -99.80273 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86002359.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5452435
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.