First Baptist Church of Cotulla. In 1882 Joseph Cotulla, founder of the town, gave land for the Baptist Church building. About 1883 or 1884 a missionary, the Rev. W. D. Johnson, organized this fellowship. The congregation worshiped in the Methodist sanctuary until a frame building was erected at this site in 1889. The well-known Baptist minister and educator, the Rev. John Van Epps Covey (1821-1898), preached the first sermon in the new facility. He lived in Cotulla and served as pastor at times until his death. In 1948 a new church building was constructed under the Rev. Jesse Cooke. #8131