About Houston's First Baptist Church - The Loop · Houston
Houston's First Baptist Church – The Loop is the flagship campus of Houston's First Baptist Church (HFBC), a historic Southern Baptist congregation founded in 1841 and now one of the largest churches in Texas. Located at 7401 Katy Freeway near the I-10/610 interchange on Houston's west side, the Loop Campus was opened in 1977 after the church relocated from downtown Houston. It offers Sunday worship services at 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. (The4), along with children's, student, college, music, and Hispanic ministries, plus a biblically-based counseling center. The church is led by Senior Pastor Gregg Matte, who has overseen the congregation's growth into a four-campus multisite ministry.
Houston's First Baptist Church traces its origins to February 1841, when the Rev. James Huckins organized a congregation of 16 charter members in the fledgling city of Houston. Over the following decades the church helped found Baylor University (1845), the Star of Hope Mission (1907), and the Baptist Sanitarium that eventually became part of today's Memorial Hermann Health System. After more than 130 years downtown, the congregation relocated on April 3, 1977, to its current site at 7401 Katy Freeway, where it built the Loop Campus with a worship center seating approximately 3,300 and an iconic Cross Tower with cascading waterfall symbolizing 'the living water of Christ.' Under Senior Pastor Gregg Matte, who came to Houston in 2004 after founding Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M, the church has expanded into a multisite network of four campuses — The Loop, Cypress, Sienna, and Downtown — and reports roughly 28,000 members. The Loop Campus serves as the hub for the church's flagship ministries, including the Worship Choir and Orchestra (the only campus with a full choral program), the weekly 4 p.m. 'The4' afternoon service with life Bible studies afterward, the HUB student ministry (6th–12th grade), children's programming from birth through 5th grade, the College Ministry, and a Spanish-language worship service in the Chapel. Pastoral care extends through the Julianna Poor Memorial Counseling Center, which provides biblically-based counseling at the Loop, Cypress, and Sienna campuses, and through local Faith Centers on Harwin and in Spring Branch that offer ESL, food distribution, parenting classes, and Bible studies. Missions is a defining emphasis: the church supports 62 missionaries in 21 countries, runs Legacy 68:5 for adoption and foster-care families, and underwrites short-term trips and local outreach. Note: Houston's First Baptist Church is an evangelical Southern Baptist congregation, not a Catholic parish, and is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church or the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
- In business
- Founded 1841; relocated to The Loop campus in 1977
- Owner
- Rev. James Huckins (founder, 1841); Senior Pastor Gregg Matte (since 2004)
- Serves
- Greater Houston area (The Loop, Cypress, Sienna, and Downtown campuses); global missions presence in 21+ countries
History of Houston's First Baptist Church
Houston's First Baptist Church was founded in 1841 when the Rev. James Huckins organized a congregation of 16 charter members in Houston. The church helped found Baylor University in 1845, was instrumental in establishing the Star of Hope Mission in 1907, and in the early 20th century helped create the city's first Baptist hospital, the forerunner of today's Memorial Hermann Health System. After more than 130 years of ministry downtown, on April 3, 1977, the congregation relocated to 7401 Katy Freeway, where it built what is now called the Loop Campus. Membership grew to about 21,000 by 2000 and roughly 28,000 by 2016 under Pastor Gregg Matte. A Texas Historical Commission marker (No. 12380, erected 2001) stands at the site commemorating this heritage.
- Founded April 10, 1841 by Rev. James Huckins with 16 charter members
- Helped found Baylor University (1845)
- Helped found Star of Hope Mission (1907)
- Relocated from 1010 Lamar downtown to 7401 Katy Freeway on April 3, 1977
- Texas Historical Commission Marker No. 12380 (erected 2001)
- Membership ~21,000 by 2000; ~28,000 reported by 2016
The Loop Campus
The Loop Campus is the flagship, original-suburban location of Houston's First, situated near the I-10/610 interchange and just across the freeway from the Marq*E Entertainment Center. The Loop Campus was built and opened in the 1970s, with a worship center seating approximately 3,300. The building is ADA-compliant, with handicapped parking and elevators, and includes secure children's spaces accessible only to approved caregivers, staff, and volunteers. A signature architectural feature is the Cross Tower at the northwest corner, with a cascading waterfall symbolizing the living water of Christ.
- 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024
- Worship center seats ~3,300
- Cross Tower with cascading waterfall (symbol of 'living water of Christ')
- ADA-compliant with handicapped parking and elevators
- Secure children's areas with controlled caregiver access
- Phone: (713) 681-8000
Sunday Worship Services
The Loop Campus runs three Sunday worship services. The 9:15 a.m. service features choir and orchestra alongside a contemporary band, offering a fuller musical experience. The 11 a.m. service is led by vocalists and musicians in a more standard contemporary style. The 4 p.m. service, branded 'The4,' is a more relaxed, unhurried afternoon gathering ideal for busy families, late risers, weekend travelers, or anyone seeking more elbow room; it is followed by Life Bible Study at 5:30 p.m. All three services share the same sermon content; The4's message is typically delivered by Brad Talbert, The4 Venue Pastor and Minister to Married Young Adults.
- 9:15 a.m. – choir, orchestra and contemporary band
- 11 a.m. – vocalists and band-led worship
- 4 p.m. (The4) – relaxed afternoon service
- Life Bible Study after The4 at 5:30 p.m.
- The4 message often delivered by Brad Talbert, The4 Venue Pastor
Music and Worship Arts
The Loop Campus is the only Houston's First campus with a Worship Choir and Orchestra, which lead worship on Sunday mornings and in various performances throughout the year. Both are open to adults who feel called to serve through music and are committed followers of Christ. There is no audition required to sing in the choir; orchestra musicians must audition due to instrumental placement and ability. The Loop also supports The Collective, a worship band. Other campuses (Cypress, Downtown, Sienna) have teams called PATHMAKERS who lead worship on various Sundays.
- Worship Choir – no audition required
- Orchestra – audition required
- The Collective worship band
- PATHMAKERS teams at Cypress, Downtown, Sienna
Children, Students, and College
Children from birth through 5th grade have dedicated programming at 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. on Sundays; during The4, birth–2nd graders have their own programming while 3rd–5th graders attend worship with their families. The HUB student ministry serves 6th–12th grade, with High School Life Bible Study at 9:15 a.m., Middle School Life Bible Study at 11 a.m., and The HUB Life Bible Study at 5:15 p.m. The College Ministry worships at The4 and gathers for Life Bible Study at 5:30 p.m., giving college students a community during this pivotal season.
- Kids programming: birth–5th grade at 9:15a, 11a, 4p
- The4 Kids: birth–2nd grade programming; 3rd–5th grade with families
- The HUB Students (6th–12th grade)
- High School Life Bible Study – 9:15a
- Middle School Life Bible Study – 11a
- The HUB Life Bible Study – 5:15p
- College Ministry worships at The4; Life Bible Study at 5:30p
Houston's First en Español
A Spanish-language worship service meets at 11 a.m. in The Chapel at the Loop Campus, led by gifted vocalists and musicians in vibrant, joyful worship entirely in Spanish. The Spanish-language ministry is overseen by Enrique Puig, Ministro en Español. The church also offers a Spanish-language podcast and online livestream options for those unable to attend in person.
- Worship en Español – Sundays at 11 a.m. in The Chapel
- Minister: Enrique Puig (Enrique.Puig@HoustonsFirst.org)
- Online livestream and podcast available
Life Bible Studies and Adult Discipleship
Life Bible Studies are offered across the morning and evening at 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on Sundays, providing small-group discipleship and community for adults at every life stage.
- Life Bible Studies – 8:00 a.m.
- Life Bible Studies – 9:15 a.m.
- Life Bible Studies – 10:45 a.m.
- Life Bible Studies – 5:30 p.m.
Julianna Poor Memorial Counseling Center
The Julianna Poor Memorial Counseling Center (JPMCC) exists to provide biblically-based, clinically-competent, and Spirit-sensitive counseling. Services are offered in person at the Loop, Cypress, and Sienna campuses by appointment; intake begins by calling 713.335.6462. The center supports individuals, couples, and families facing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relational conflict, and spiritual concerns, with weekly, biweekly, or as-needed scheduling. Specialized tracks include family counseling, counseling intensives (half-day or full-day deep-focus sessions), group counseling (counselor-led therapy groups and church-sponsored support groups), and a Preparation for Marriage program designed to establish a 'Biblically-based, Christ-honoring, Spirit-led marriage.' Admin hours: Mon–Thu 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Counseling for individuals, couples, and families
- Family counseling with parenting, blended-family, communication support
- Counseling Intensives – half-day or full-day
- Group counseling and support groups
- Preparation for Marriage program
- Phone: 713.335.6462
- Admin hours: Mon–Thu 8a–7p, Fri 8a–2p
Missions and Outreach
Missions is central to Houston's First identity. Through Missions Mobilization the church equips and sends believers locally and globally, supporting short-term trips and long-term missionaries. GO Global Care supports global workers in 35+ countries with fellowship, prayer, missionary housing, home groups, and counseling/debriefing. Faith Centers are the local outreach arm, serving vulnerable Houstonians with food, clothing, ESL, computer training, parenting classes, literacy, and Bible studies. The church also collaborates with trusted Ministry Partners across the city, nation, and world. According to the Houston Chronicle's 175th-anniversary coverage, the church supported 62 missionaries in 21 countries and provided nearly $10 million for missions in nine months of one fiscal year.
- Mission Trips & Mobilization
- GO Global Care (35+ countries)
- Faith Center Harwin – ESL, computer training, food distribution, Bible studies
- Faith Center Spring Branch – parenting classes, literacy, practical assistance
- Legacy 68:5 – adoption, foster, and orphan care (founded 2008)
- Ministry Partners across city, nation, and world
- Supported 62 missionaries in 21 countries (as reported 2016)
Senior Leadership and Pastoral Team
Senior Pastor Gregg Matte has led Houston's First since 2004. Before coming to Houston, he founded Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M University, growing it from 12 students in his apartment to more than 4,000 weekly attendees — the largest college Bible study in the nation. He holds a bachelor's in marketing from Texas A&M and a master's from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2011 he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Texas A&M's Mays Business School (the first ever given to a pastor), and he became Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Houston Baptist University in October 2019. He also serves on the boards of Houston Christian High School and Breakaway Ministries. Other named Loop Campus leaders include Stephen Trammell (Minister of Worship) and Jeff Bumgardner (Executive Pastor).
- Gregg Matte – Senior Pastor (since 2004)
- Stephen Trammell – Minister of Worship
- Jeff Bumgardner – Executive Pastor
- Brad Talbert – The4 Venue Pastor and Minister to Married Young Adults
- Malcolm Marshall – Sienna Campus Pastor
- Enrique Puig – Ministro en Español
Multisite Network
Houston's First operates as a four-campus multisite church. The Loop is the flagship location at 7401 Katy Freeway; Cypress and Sienna Campuses opened in 2012; and in 2014 the Downtown Campus opened near the Toyota Center, returning the church to downtown Houston after decades away.
- The Loop (1977) – 7401 Katy Freeway
- Cypress Campus (2012)
- Sienna Campus (2012)
- Downtown Campus (2014) – near Toyota Center
Practical Information for Visitors
First-time guests and attendees with limited mobility may park onsite at the Loop Campus on Sunday mornings; members and regular attendees are encouraged to use one of three off-site parking locations. The church maintains an ADA-compliant building with elevators in strategic locations. Worship is broadcast via livestream on Sundays at 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m., and a podcast is available for those unable to gather in person. Contact is via phone (713) 681-8000 or email Info@HoustonsFirst.org.
- Onsite parking for first-time guests and those with limited mobility
- Three off-site parking lots for members and regular attendees
- ADA-compliant building with elevators
- Livestream Sundays at 9:15a, 11a, and 4p
- Podcast available
- General inquiries: Info@HoustonsFirst.org