After taking a religious census in the southwest corner of Abilene, Texas, 23-year-old student Edgar Jones found the area in great need of a Baptist church. Jones took the census as part of his studies at Hardin-Simmons University and began holding weekly services in homes shortly after his work in May of 1949.

 

The congregation soon outgrew their current meeting place and successively moved into or built larger and larger spaces to accomadate their needs. Eventually, in 1956, construction was completed on what is now our current home at 2901 S 20th Street. There have been many renovations and additions since that time, but Southwest Park has always continued carrying out its purpose as the salt and light of Christ in the community and neighborhood in which it is settled.