History of Kimbro Free Evangelical Church in Elgin, Texas explored.

Kimbro Free Evangelical Church is one of the many forgotten churches of Travis County, “Manda, TX”, and Elgin. Only so much history about this church has been saved and documented. Kimbro Evangelical Free Church was another name Kimbro Free Evangelical Church operated under.



Kimbro Free Evangelical Church was established and constructed in 1897 in the settlement of Manda, Texas (Manda, TX). A parsonage was built along side this church. The Swedish Evangelical Free Church was organized in Kimbro Free Evangelical Church during the same year. Kimbro Free Evangelical Church operated as a domestic nonprofit corporation. (Ref: https://bizstanding.com/p/kimbro+evangelical+free+church-25809595)

The cemetery next to this church is called Kimbro Evangelical Free Church Cemetery aka Kimbro Free Evangelical Church Cemetery. The cemetery dates back to the 1890s. Evangelical Free Church Cemeteries Association is responsible for the maintenance of the historic rural Kimbro Evangelical Free Church Cemetery. (Ref: https://www.elgincourier.com/article/news/cemetery-association-holds-annual-meeting)

Albert Smith served as musical director of the Kimbro Evangelical Free Church and founded the Kimbro Orchestra. (Ref: http://www.austinhydepark.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2014.pdf)


Rev. Alfred Stone wrote this greeting to the Kimbro Evangelical Free Church on the 50th anniversary of the church. (Ref: Kimbro Evangelical Free Church 50th Anniversary booklet 1897 to 1947)

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build  it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Ps. 127:1.” 

“The year 1947 marks a half-century of life and progress for you friends and members of Kimbro Evangelical Free Church. You have in these years spent much time in prayer and labor for God. God has made the church the lighthouse in your community.  We truly thank God for our dear friends in Kimbro,  for  what you have been to us. We certainly rejoice with you upon attaining this milestone as a church. Our prayer is that God will continue to let His blessings hover over the church and the community.”


The Swedish Free Mission Church merged with Kimbro Free Evangelical Church in 1954. The church building was moved to Elgin in 1954. Today Kimbro Free Evangelical Church is now home to Elgin Evangelical Free Church which is located at 1209 North Avenue C, Elgin, Texas, US 78621.