The oldest continually active Baptist Church in Palo Pinto County, this congregation was chartered on November 3, 1872, under an oak tree near the Santo East Cemetery. Originally known as the Missionary Baptist Church of Christ at Cottonwood Grove on Palo Pinto Creek, it began with eight charter members. The present congregational name was adopted by the 1930s. For well over a century, the First Baptist Church of Santo has been active in community service, mission endeavors, associational work and the licensing and ordination of ministers. (1982)