MANCHACA BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY             1918-2007

MBC was organized in 1918 with Pastor Webb Townsley and 10 charter members. For 7 years, the congregation met at Woodman's Hall, the community center for civic organizations. The first deacons were ordained in January, 1922; Sunday School was organized in the fall of that year; and "BYPU" (Baptist Young People's Union) began in 1924.

The first Sanctuary, a wooden building at FM 1626 and Deane Road, was completed in March, 1925 for $1,800 on land purchased for $75. A wood stove provided heat, and kerosene lamps furnished light until electricity was installed in 1939. The Woman's Missionary Union (WMU) organized in October, 1925, and the first Wednesday night prayer meeting was held in November. In 1937, the church voted to participate in the Cooperative Program and affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. In August, 1939, the Lord blessed our church when Rev. L. R. Cole held a revival and 39 people made professions of faith. Some of our members today are fourth generation relatives of those 39.

In 1953, the church began a building program for a parsonage, not to exceed $5,000. In 1957, we purchased land for $2,500 for a new Sanctuary across the street, on the northwest corner of FM 1626 and Deane Road. Construction began in 1960, and the congregation's first worship service in it was February, 196l. Its cost was $29,480, plus $5,500 for heating and air conditioning. The original building continued to be used for a variety of functions (Offices, Sunday School, and fellowship hall.) It was named the "Robert Bauerle Building for Christian Activities" in 1971. Twenty years, later the youth met there, calling it their HOF, "House of Faith."

In 1977, MBC bought the old Manchaca Elementary School from the Austin Independent School District, giving the church the entire south half of the block bounded by Manchaca Road, FM 1626, and Deane Road. The school was converted into the Education Wing and Office Building. A part-time Youth Minister was called in 1981, and in 1982, an Associate Pastor who also served as Minister of Music. The Sanctuary was renovated in 1982 and rededicated in 1984.

With God's continued blessings, additional space became critical to continued growth. In 1987, MBC built a 20,000 sq. ft. multipurpose building, the Family Life Center, to house the child care center/Sunday School space and a gymnasium/multipurpose room where worship services were also held. In 1995, we purchased a l5-acre tract of land one block east of our current site, at Lowden Lane and FM 1626. Plans were drawn for a 40,000 sq. ft. facility, including an Office Wing, a Sunday School Wing, and Sanctuary.

Crossroads Fellowship, a North American Baptist Church, purchased the Sanctuary, Office Building, and Education Wing in 1999, and MBC moved into the FLC (with two worship services), the HOF, and the Annex, a mobile home moved to our property to house Sunday School classes. Construction on the new site began in 1999 and was near completion in spring, 2001. Six weeks before we were to move in, fire destroyed the new Sanctuary, with smoke and water damage to the rest of the facility. After a year of mediation and negotiation with insurance companies, MBC began rebuilding the Sanctuary. The first services were held on March 28, 2004 with the formal dedication on May 23, third anniversary of the fire. The FLC and HOF were sold to Mision Cristiana Maranatha de Austin, and with that sale and the insurance settlement, MBC was blessed with less debt than we would have had prior to the fire.

Construction is currently underway on the third of four planned wings, to house a commercial kitchen, additional Sunday School classrooms and a gymnasium/multipurpose room. With the erection of the steel frame soon, an elevator will be installed and provide full use of our second floor and additional, much-needed Sunday School classrooms.

In 2008, with God's continued blessings, we will celebrate the 90th anniversary of Manchaca Baptist Church, continuing to reach out and minister in the name of Jesus Christ to our rapidly-expanding community.