Low Water Crossing across the South Concho in Christoval, Texas

A favorite attraction in Christoval is the Low Water Crossing. The crossing is located beneath the regular bridge over the South Concho River. The crossing is frequented by both locals and visitors to the area. It offers public access to the South Concho River, and it offers an area of shallow water wonderful for children to wade in. This spot has been a favorite spot to cool off during hot summer days for generations.

Christoval Residents Building Low Water Crossing circa 1900

The picture below shows how the low water crossing looked at the time it was built. The picture was taken from a different spot than the modern color picture above. The color picture camera position would have been to the left and forward of where this one was taken. I can recognize some of the trees in this picture are still standing today.

Low Water Crossing across the South Concho River circa 1900

Christoval Baptist Church as it appears today

The Christoval Baptist Church is one of the oldest churches in the area and has a long and distinguished history. The church has been honored by the State of Texas by the creation of a Historical Marker for the church. The Historical Marker is pictured at below.

The marker is transcribed as follows:

Christoval Baptist Historical Marker

Christoval Baptist Church

Settlement of this area began in the 1860′s and increased in the 1870′s and 1880′s following the establishment of Fort Concho in Nearby San Angelo. The Town of Christoval began to develop by 1885.

The South Concho Baptist Congregation was originated in 1889 with four charter members. The Rev. T. R. Leggett served as first pastor, and the congregation met in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, built by a group of citizens and used as a union church. Located on a hill on the corner of present Church Street and Rudd Road, the union church was the site of regular worship services, with various pastors officiating.

The name of the South Concho Baptist Congregation was changed to the Christoval Baptist Church in 1906. Four years later the membership voted to build its own facility, and an octagonal wooden tabernacle was erected.

In 1911 the first annual Summer Christoval Baptist Encampment was held on the banks of the South Concho River. A new church building was dedicated in 1925 during the August Camp Meeting. Due to financial strains of the Depression, the campground was sold in 1932. This church remains an important part of the Christoval Community.

An important part of Church History was its large Baptist Encampments at the nearby South Concho River during the summers. Crowds of in excess of 10,000 would attend from across the country. The picture below shows one of the encampment meetings.

Baptist Encampment in Christoval circa ~1910

Christoval Baptist Encampment Meeting circa 1920

Front of Christoval High School as seen from Toenail Trail

Christoval High School is located on Toenail Trail about a half mile from Christoval. The Texas TEA board has conferred “Recognized” status on Christoval High School.

South Concho River

The South Concho River is unique in that it runs from South to North for its entire length. The river starts at the Head of the River Ranch several miles south of Christoval, Texas. The river runs through Christoval, and then continues northward until it dumps into the Twin Buttes Reservoir just south of San Angelo, Texas.

Head of the River Ranch, Christoval, Texas circa 1900