Mound, Coryell County
Originally known as the Baptist Church of Christ at White Mound, the White Mound Baptist Church was organized on September 14, 1874, at the base of White Mound Hill in Coryell County. The church shared a small log building with the White Mound School, established in 1861. Split logs were used as desks, benches and seats. In the early 1880s, the school moved to a new location, leaving the building to the church, where they continued to meet until early 1898. In 1897, church members purchased two acres of land to erect a church building. Under the direction of Lafe Lam, an arbor (tabernacle) was built in march 1898, with shutters installed that winter. Elders John McClain and J.M. Wright led the congregation through its first service there. The tabernacle served as the church sanctuary until 1914 when the present sanctuary was completed. Designed and built by contractor Aaron Fellers, the sanctuary included 14-foot ceilings and large frosted glass windows. The glass was replaced with stained glass in 1987. Wings were added in 1947 to accommodate growth as well as a fellowship hall in 1949. In 1917, a parsonage was built on the site and where the youth hall now sits. Since 1920, Baylor University (Waco) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth) have sent their best young men to the church, replacing early pioneer preachers. Many of these went on to have successful tenures at urban churches. Through youth camps, partnerships with other churches and communities, and local and foreign missions, the White Mound Baptist Church has made a significant impact on the community and areas beyond Coryell County. (2017)