Originally called Sutherland Springs Central Baptist Church, the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs was established in 1926. Prior to this date, citizens of the community heard sermons from circuit riders traveling through the area and met in each other's homes. In 1926, a group of people gathered to form a Baptist Church, initially meeting in the old Sutherland Springs school building. Soon, the congregation erected a frame building on the site of the home of Dr. John Sutherland, the founder of the community. Dr. Sutherland's hand- dug water cistern lined with limestone is still visible. In 1949, the original church was replaced with a new, modern facility on the same site using lumber from the old building. The farmers, laborers, and truck drivers within the congregation adeptly constructed the 1949 sanctuary themselves. During the construction, the conregation met at the old town Sutherland Springs school gymnasium.
On November 5, 2017 tragedy struck the church when a gunman opened fire killing 26 people and wounding 22 others. It is the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history and the deadliest at an American place of worship, surpassing the Charleston Church shooting of 2015.
The First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church was painted white with 26 white chairs placed around the room. On each chair was a single rose and the name of a shooting victim. The chairs were placed throughout the room at the location where the victim died.
August 12,2024 the church was demolished after a congregational vote.
On October 5, 2024 as a way to remember and honor those lost, a historical marker was placed near the site of the original church.
Annabelle Pomeroy, 14
Keith Braden, 62
Robert (51) and Shani (51) Corrigan
Brian (60) and Karla (58) Holcombe
Marc Holcombe, 36
Noah Holcombe, 1
Crystal Holcombe 36; who was also pregnant
Megan Holcombe, 9
Emily Holcombe, 11
Greg Holcombe, 13
Dennis (77) and Sara (68) Johnson
Haley Krueger, 16
Robert (56) and Karen (56) Marshall
Tara McNulty, 33
Ricardo (64) and Therese (66) Rodriguez
Joann Ward, 30
Brooke Ward, 5
Emily Ward, 7
Peggy Warden, 56
Lula White, 71
As proof of your visit, please include a photo of yourself with the cistern to the left of the historical marker. This is a short, round brick formation- original to the grounds of the founder- John Sutherland.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.