Rosewood Baptist Church was originally organized in January of 1872 in the home on M.S. Long which was located on what is now known as South Mimosa Road. The first church, known as Double Springs Baptist Church, consisted of eight charter members who came out of the nearby Enon Baptist Church. The first pastor was Bro. Jacob Zeigler of Wood County; he served in this position from 1872-1879.
In 1907, the church’s name was changed from Double Springs to Rosewood Baptist Church. This was caused by the new town of Rosewood being founded here in 1903 when the Marshall and East Texas Railroad was built through the area.
In 1982, the church built a new, 200-seat auditorium and educational brick-veneer building. The original 1872 building was razed. The following year, a new fellowship hall was built. After a church growth conference led by Paul Gauntt in 1993, the church began a period of numerical growth.
By 2000, the 1982 building was becoming crowded. Since it was not feasible to enlarge this structure, land across the street was obtained, and a new 350-seat worship center with classrooms was built in 2003 with much of the labor donated by workers in the congregation.
As growth continues to occur, plans are currently underway to add an additional fellowship/educational building comparable in size to the worship center. The greatest period of membership increase in RBC’s history has been experienced in the first ten months of church year 2016-2017, when sixty-five new members have been received with over half of these baptisms.
Rosewood was originally a part of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. For the past century, RBC has been affiliated with the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas, and since 1950 has been a part of the BMA of America. We are partnered with these groups to pool our resources with other churches in more effectively carrying out The Great Commission of our Lord to be His witnesses beginning at home and going to the uttermost part of the earth.
RBC has historically been a missions-minded church and currently gives over half of the annual budget to Christian education, benevolent, and mission projects.