First Baptist Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, most churches have a founding story — but not many can claim their co-founder was running a secret operation for the President of the United States at the very same time. This one can.

We're talking about the First Baptist Church of Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. Pull over if you need to. This one's worth your full attention.

John Bryce — born 1784, died 1864 — was a Baptist missionary. That alone would be enough for most men. But Bryce was apparently not most men, because while he was out here tending to souls on the Texas frontier, he was also serving as a secret agent for U.S.

President John Tyler during the annexation negotiations that would bring Texas into the Union. A preacher and a spy. Working both sides of eternity and diplomacy at the same time.

Alongside Bryce stood the Reverend George Washington Baines — and you may want to hold onto that name — because Reverend Baines was the great-grandfather of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. These two men, together, founded this church shortly before Texas became a state in 1845. Among the twelve charter members was Dr.

William Evans, Marshall's very first physician. Leaders of the pioneer community, every one of them. Now, in those early days, the congregation didn't have four walls and a roof to worship under.

They held services in a brush arbor, or in a nearby log schoolhouse, making do with what the Texas frontier offered. That went on until 1849, when a proper church building finally went up — right on this lot — land donated by State Legislator James McCown, born 1808, died 1855. A small frame structure.

Modest, but it was theirs. Then in 1892, that little frame building gave way to a larger one. The congregation kept growing, kept reaching.

In 1904, members of this fellowship organized the Second Baptist Church. In 1912, they helped establish the College of Marshall — a junior college that would eventually become East Texas Baptist College, a four-year school this congregation still actively supports to this day. The present sanctuary was constructed in 1953.

The children's building followed in 1955. And in 1972, a new education building and chapel were erected, completing the church complex. From a brush arbor on the Texas frontier to a full church complex in the heart of Marshall — founded by a missionary who moonlighted for the President, and a preacher whose great-grandson would one day sit in the Oval Office.

Some churches just show up in history. This one kept making it.

What the marker says

John Bryce (1784-1864), Baptist missionary and secret agent for U. S. President John Tyler during Texas annexation negotiations, and the Rev. George Washington Baines, great-grandfather of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, founded this church shortly before Texas became a state in 1845. Dr. William Evans, Marshall's first physician, and other leaders of the pioneer community were among the twelve charter members. Throughout its history, this fellowship has included men and women who were leaders in the city, state, and Baptist faith. Services were held in a brush arbor or nearby log schoolhouse until 1849, when a church building was erected on this lot, donated by State Legislator James McCown (1808-55). The small frame structure was replaced by a larger building in 1892. Members of this congregation organized the Second Baptist Church in 1904. They also helped establish the College of Marshall in 1912. This junior college later became East Texas Baptist College, a four-year school which is still actively supported by this church. The present sanctuary was constructed in 1953, and the children's building was completed in 1955. A new education building and chapel were erected in 1972, completing the church complex.