History
FIRST BAPTIST WHITEWRIGHT
The First Baptist Church of Whitewright was organized on May 14, 1887 with 22 recorded charter members, and was given privilege to worship in the Church of Christ building for a time before moving into their own building in 1888. The first pastor was the Rev. Rogers and there were three ordained deacons. Rev. J.S. Potts of First Baptist Church in Bonham delivered the dedicatory sermon of the new building. The church affiliated with the Grayson Baptist Association in 1887, but the earliest records of the church were with the Honey Grove Association. A devastating fire in 1911 destroyed the church facilities and church records as well as 42 businesses and 47 residences.
The church has been served by 37 pastors during its history and has a rich heritage. Several pastors have been ordained to the gospel ministry in this church including Vernon McFatridge, Alvin Pendleton, and Dr. George W. Truett. The Truett family also produced two other preachers that were ordained here, J.L. and Charles Truett. The Truett family served in many capacities in the church for a number of years. Dr. George W. Truett went on to serve as the first pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas for almost fifty years.
The first service was held in a new building on Dec. 21, 1934, a building consisting of 23 classrooms, an assembly hall in the basement, and an auditorium that would seat 400. All costs of that building were met and a baby grand piano installed as well. This was during a harsh economic time in our nation and is a testament to the blessings of God and the willingness of a people to be used of Him in advancing His ministry in a community. Dr. G.W. Truett delivered the dedicatory sermon for the new building on Feb. 5, 1935. The sermon title was “They First Gave Themselves,” and the scripture text was II Corinthians 9. Several building and facilities renovation projects have been completed since that time.
In addition to 37 pastors, a number of ministers of music and youth have served through the years. There have been numerous deacons ordained, fifteen of which are still active deacons today. The church has had a rich history and many lives have been touched and souls saved through its years of existence. One remarkable time was between April 17, 1962 and September 24, 1967 in which there were 66 baptisms, 94 additions by letter, and 1 by statement. There were also 4 deacons ordained during that period of time when Rev. Dale Gore served as pastor.
We thank God for the rich blessings from His hand that have prospered this fellowship of believers through the years. We pray for earnest and visionary leadership and the surrender of the saints in God’s continued presence in this community and abroad through the ministry of First Baptist Church!
George W. Truett, 1867-1944
George W. Truett was born on May 6, 1867, at Hayesville, Clay County, North Carolina. He was converted to Christ in the Hayesville Baptist Church at the age of 19. When he surrendered his heart to Christ for salvation, he also surrendered his will to God for service. The desire of his life seemed to be, "Thy will be done." In 1889 he moved with his parents to Grayson County, Texas, where he was ordained one year later by the Whiteright Baptist Church (aka First Baptist Church of Whitewright). In 1897 he was graduated from Baylor University and in September of that year was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, and re- mained there for 47 years. Under his leadership, the First Baptist Church grew into the largest church in the world at the time. Dr. Truett served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1927 to 1929, and as president of the Baptist World Alliance from 1934 to 1939. His influence reached far beyond Dallas, Texas, to the world as he is still revered as one of the greatest Southern Baptist leaders who ever lived. His humble, spiritual, simple preaching earned for him the reputation as one of the greatest orators of his day with many referring to him as a second Spurgeon. He went to be with the Lord on July 7, 1944, at Dallas, Texas.
