First Baptist Church of Port Neches, the first Baptist church in Port Neches, organized in October 1910 when twelve charter members held services in a one-room schoolhouse. Its founders were Mr. and Mrs. John Livingston, Mr. Horace Livingston, Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Rachford, Mr. and Mrs. D.A. Bibbs, Mr. and Mrs. Gillie Peveto, Mr. Arthur K. Peveto, Mrs. Abbie Block, and Mr. Ollie Williams. In 1914, Mrs. R.E. Rachford donated property at the corner of Dearing Street and Avenue B for the church’s first building, completed in 1917. W.H. Fortney became the first full-time pastor in 1918, and during his tenure the frame building was removed to make way for a larger brick sanctuary completed in 1927. A fire destroyed that structure on January 10, 1940, and all early church records were lost. A replacement frame building was constructed on the site in 1941, but the congregation voted in 1946 to purchase property on Magnolia Avenue, where services were first held in June 1957. Its programs have included Sunday school, vacation bible school, youth activities, bible study, mission trips, sponsorship of Woodcrest Mission from 1969 to 1983, and support of new churches, and it continues to serve Port Neches and surrounding areas as a spiritual and social beacon.