The first church in Woodville began on March 15, 1851 and was organized as the Bethel Baptist Church. The founding members were Thomas Rock, Milton McQueen, Mary Parsons, Elizabeth Parsons, Nancy Parsons, James Willey, Rahab Wiley, Meshack Collins, Elizabeth Collins, and Walter Barclay. Bethel Baptist Church disbanded in the mid-1860s but reorganized in the mid-1880s to form the First Baptist Church of Woodville. Jeff Word Rhodes was the founding pastor of First Baptist Church. Jeff, along with his father, Arnold, helped found and pastor many churches in Tyler County. Throughout the twentieth century and now into the twenty-first century, God has blessed First Baptist Church with growth, able leadership, and a church filled with people who, through the good and difficult times, love God and each other. The history of how God has worked in First Baptist provides the church with the following core values:

• The Centrality of the Bible: In our Sunday school classes, in the preaching of the pastor, and in all of our ministries, the focus is directed toward knowing and applying God’s Word.
• Ministries: We encourage fellowship and offer ministries for all generations in our church with special attention given to children and youth.
• Community Involvement: Our members offer service and leadership in business, education, government, and non-profits in Tyler County.
• Worship: We give special attention to our times of worship and expect excellence in all facets of worship. Our worship services also function as a ministry to the Woodville community through our media broadcasts.