HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972 Thirty Years History: First Baptist Church Book (Pg. 18)entire structure was turned into an auditorium. During the next two
weeks a new Baptistry was put in and more Sunday School space than the
church previously had was built at the rear of the auditorium. Now there
was enough space to rare for departments and classes, except for the
freshmen. Mrs. Brown continued to teach the "Fish" in the auditorium,
enrolling 230 in the class. This was truly a great year for the Baptist
students and other Baptists connected with the Baptist program.
On October 10, 1940, the Browns observed the 20th anniversary of
their work with the church and denominational program.
The Baptist Standard gave a full page to this event on March 10, 1940,
stating among other items, the following: "The growth of the Baptist
work at A & M has been nothing short of phenomenal. A year ago the walls
of the buildings had to be pushed out to accomodate the crowds. In three
weeks the auditorium was enlarged and classrooms were built. In 1920
there were 325 Baptist students while the previous year there were 320
who joined the church with 33 for Baptism. The total contribution for
1920-21 was $200 while the previous year it was approximately 57,000,
nearly $1,000 of which was given by A & M students. The Sunday School
now has 23 classes and there are 11 Training Unions with more rooms
needed for both. The church has a Brotherhood, a full graded WMU with
four circles, five junior organizations and BSU. The president of the BSU,
Cadet William Kent, is also president of the Stale Student Union.
The Browns have served faithfully for 20 years as shown by the
following facts about their activities. They have visited 148 institutions
and 1,331 chumhesand have attended 8,529 meetings. They have deliver-
ed 4,611 addresses and sermons, taught 3,116 classes and held 1,460
personal conferences. As a result of their work they have had 1,384
conversions, 1,297 Baptisms and have had 4,026 to join the church, 2,255
of which joined the college church. They have sent our t 18,444 letters,
cards and bulletins and have given 2,599 awards. During these 20 years
they traveled 448,789 miles in the interest of their work. For the past four
years Mrs. Brown has been State WMU Mission study chairman.
There are 6,5000 in A & M this year, 1,700 of whom are Baptist or
Baptist preference. The first Sunday of this school year the large auditor
imp
udit nium was crowded to capacity. One hundred fifty joined the church that
day with rune cadets being Baptised during the evening service.
The past 20 years have been years of beginnings and growth for the
BSU at Texas A & M, the State of Texas, the South and in many foreign
countries. All the leading colleges and universities to Texas have strong
BSU programs and many of the colleges and universities throughout the
South have adopted this strong Baptist program as demonstrated by the
conventions, retreats and encampments. It is interesting to keep in mind
that the Browns were the very first secretaries employed to start a BSU
program on a local campus. The announcement was made in the literature
sent out during the fall of 1945 in connection with the State BSU
Convention to be held at Texas A & M College November 24, 1945. The
statement was made by the State BSU secretary that R. L. Brown was I^
dean of student workers in the South, being the oldest in point of
continuous service. With this statement, the first 20 ears close and the
next 10 years begin.
Interior of the First Baptist Church, College Station, Texas. Auditorium
as it appeared when opened in 1942. An organ and Baby Grand piano
were added soon thereafter.
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