MANOR BAPTIST CHURCH

The July 23, 1899 issue of The Austin Daily Statesman newspaper printed a long article titled, "Beautiful, Prosperous, Progressive Manor". One of the many businesses, organizations and people making up the story was the Manor Baptist Church. This was said about it;

"The Baptist church of Manor was organized at what was known as the Post Oak school house some three miles southeast of Manor, before the village was laid out, and moved to Manor soon afterwards. Among those who organized the church were Mr. and Mrs. James Manor, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Eppright, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson Chamberlain, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Chamberlain, Mr. and Mrs. James Sterling and Mr. and Mrs. David Eppright. Of the above, the last named couple are the only ones now left. The church has a membership of 174, with a Sunday school of about 100. Among the pastors have been such men as Revrs. R. H. Taliaferro, E. R. Gentry, Woodliff Thomas, Pinckney Harris, J. S. Abbott, A. J. Holt, W. D. Beverly, J. D. Wright, T. H. Storts, R. R. White, J. A. Arbuckle, J. E. Hamilton and J. W. Vermillion. Rev. J. A. Stephens has just been called to the pastorate."

When the new town of Manor was formed in January, 1872, half of the over 800 lots and blocks were owned by James Manor and half were owned by the Houston and Texas Central Railway Co. in return for their laying out and mapping the town. Not long after, James Manor deeded many of his lots to his daughters.

August 2, 1872 - James Manor deeded lot 3 in block 52, along with other lots in Manor, to his daughter M. J. (Matilda Jane) who had married George D. Glasscock on August, 17, 1845.

(Travis County Deed Records, book W2, pages 725-726)

August 2, 1872 - Lot 5 in block 52, along with many others, was given to his daughter, Ann Elizabeth who had married Richard A. Boyce on December 20, 1848. 

(Travis County Deed Records book 82, page 117)

Ten days after making out her will, Ann E. Boyce died on May 20, 1875. Her husband Richard was appointed Executor of her estate. At the time of her death, she still owned 30 lots in Manor. 

(Travis County Probate Minutes book N, pages 65-69)

January 25, 1878 - In return for “one dollar and other considerations” Richard A. Boyce sold lot 5 in block 52 to the trustees of the Manor Baptist Church. 

(Travis County Deed Records, book 85, pages 163-164)

July 31, 1889 - Charles Dillingham, who was the appointed receiver for the Houston and Texas Central Railway Co. sold lot 4 in block 52 to the trustees of the Manor Baptist Church for the sum of $25. 

(Travis County Deed Records, book 88, pages 530-531)

June 18, 1890 – M. J. Glasscock sold lot 3 in block 52 to J. G. Harris, John E. Hill and G. J. Eppright, trustees of the Manor Baptist Church for $21.50. 

(Travis County Deed Records, book 99, pages 101-102)

1905 SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAP

On September 27, 1964 The Austin American newspaper printed the following story;

    Services will be held for the last time Sunday in the 74-year-old Manor Baptist Church. The weathered structure will be torn down, starting Monday, to allow construction of a new masonry building.

    Rev. J. D. Barnes, pastor, and Brother Gerald Thurman, assistant pastor, will conduct services at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

    The church’s old bell will be installed in the new building. The new structure will be 30 by 80 feet and centrally heated and air conditioned. The new building will include a baptistry and pastor’s study. Estimated cost is $30,000.

    The picturesque country church has been used by the congregation which organized the first Baptist church in Manor in 1857.

    There are currently 194 members of the Manor Baptist Church. 

Six months later, on April 4, 1965 The Austin American newspaper announced the dedication of the new Manor Baptist Church Sanctuary.

"Members of the Manor Baptist Church will dedicate a new sanctuary Sunday. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the new structure. Speakers at the dedication ceremonies include Rev. O. C. Robinson, Austin area missionary; Rev. Gordon Bays, pastor of the Congress Avenue Baptist Church; Dr. W. C. Raines, Rev. Charles I. Wright and Rev. O. J. Christian. Open house will be held from 4-5 p.m."

Manor Baptist Church was the owner of lots 3, 4 and 5 in block 52, listed as 407 E. Eggleston Street, until September 25, 2020 when they were sold to Calvary Chapel East Metro, the current owner of the property.

1957 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

1960 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL STUDENTS