A History of Jefferson, Marion County, Texas, 1836-1936

by Mrs. Arch McKay; Mrs. H. A. Spellings

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

The 24th. day of March 1855 the first Baptist Church of Jefferson was organized. The first addition to the church after it organized was William I. Bateman in June 1855. The deed to the church lots where the church now stands were recorded Oct. 11th. 1860.

The first conference after the war was Jan. 28th., 1866 with Rev. H. T. Buckner presiding. Rev. Buckner was known later as “Father Buckner” to his 800 orphan children, who loved him devotedly. He made Buckner’s Orphans Home the largest and most noted in Texas. W. E. Penn and wife came to Jefferson from Lexington, Tenn. and on February 24th., 1886 joined the first Baptist church. Major Penn immediately became superintendent of the Sunday School, continuing in this capacity for ten years. He was known in 1877 as “The famous state Evangelist of Texas”. In 1866 a committee was appointed to solicit contributions to build a church. W. E. Penn and B. J. Terry were the first building committee, this resulted in the brick edifice which is today standing on Polk Street. The church was dedicated Dec. 4th. 1869. Rev. D. B. Hale (grandfather of Jim, Miss May Belle Hale and Mrs. Oralee Hale Miller) assisting in the dedication service.

In 1870 a pipe (imitation) organ was installed costing $1,000.00. The organ remained in use for fifty years. Rev. C. P. McCloud was the first pastor of the First Baptist church in 1869, while the Rev. D. B. Culbertson, father of Col. D. B. Culbertson, acted as pastor while the church was using the Presbyterian and Methodist churches in which to worship. Dr. Tucker was pastor when the church was first organized and he received $200 for his services during the year of 1855. The Southern Baptist convention met with this church May 7th., 1874 and was the largest ever held up to this time and first to meet in the state of Texas. Over 1000 attended. Many distinguished divines were present including Dr. A. J. Broadus, Dr. J. R. Graves, P. H. Mall, J. L. Burrour, W. W. Laundrum and many others. W. W. Laundrum, Jr. was ordained as a minister during the convention. His father delivered the charge. The convention held until May 12th. when the visitors were taken on a free tour of the state of Texas, through the courtesy of the Texas and Pacific Railroad.

In January, 1877, J. H. Rowell, Sr., was elected superintendent of the Sunday School, a position he held about thirty years.

Rev. S. A. Hayden was pastor of the First Baptist Church for five years, he was given leave of absence in 1882 to visit Europe and the Holy Land. In 1883 he resigned to take possession of the Texas Baptist, at Dallas. Dr. L. J. Anderson, father of Mrs. Jodie Rowell, was another much beloved pastor during the latter years of the church. Plans are at present being rushed to repair the building, preserving the original exterior architecture.

JEFFERSON METHODIST CHURCH SOUTH

Pastors

The first Methodist preacher to be appointed to Jefferson was the Reverend James W. Baldridge. The year was 1844. That Methodist preachers had preached in Jefferson prior to this date is very likely. The great and wide-spread Harrison Circuit covered this country and, in all likelihood, the modest settlement which sprang up at the head of navigation was a preaching point for the circuit rider.

The Rev. Mr. Baldridge had joined the conference in 1843. He served Jefferson for three years the records state. Jefferson was in the East Texas Conference as an appointment the first year that conference was formed from the older Texas Conference. Later in 1867, the church was in the North Texas Conference, and in still more recent years, the territory came back into the Texas Conference.

At the close of the year 1845 the church reported 50 white and 3 colored members. The custom of having the slaves join the church was continued through Civil War days. By 1845 a number of churches had grown up through the immediate country about Jefferson, so the work was listed as the Jefferson Circuit with the town as the principal church. The membership reported that year was 508 whites and 89 colored.

A complete record of all pastors for Jefferson from 1855 to the present day is preserved. The names of some from the years 1847 to 1855 are missing.