History of the Plantersville Baptist Church
 
(Written by Mrs. Robert E. Heard, Church Clerk, April, 1036)
A few faithful old pioneers of God met in this quiet picturesque little town on May 18th, 1861, for the purpose of organizing a Missionary Baptist Church.
The Presbytery on organization was Elder N. T. Byars, and George W. Baines, and Charter Members were as follows:
Elder N.T. Byars, and Bros.
Sam W. Byars
A.J. Byars
W.S. Howel (Howell)
James M. Sterling
Charles Quinn
Joseph L. Wise
And Sisters
S.A. Byars
Elizabeth Sterling
Lucy C. Wise
Rosanah Myre
Sarah Greene
Asynith Broson (Broion Brocon)
Gemima Quinn
Sarah C. Howell
Mary J. Howell
Anna Howell
Susan Potter
Elizabeth Eikeman
Elder N.T. Byars, a pioneer Baptist Preacher of Texas, whose home was at Old Washington, was called as first Pastor of the church, and served throughout 1861. J.M. Sterling elected Clerk.  Rev. F.M. Law called as Pastor 1862, and served the Church until 1866. During these pastorates, slaves were received into the church, and a committee appointed to the watch-care of these slaves. Hardy, slave of Isaak Baker was liberated to preach by permission of his Master.
During 1863, the Church excused Rev. Law, to go as missionary to our soldiers west of the Mississippi, but was recalled on returning at the end of the year.
Deacons during these pastorates were: Joseph L. Wise, G.M. Stephenson, Murray Baker, and Abram Forrester.
A Sunday School was organized on October 15, 1865, but no record of officers were listed.  The Texas SS Convention met in session here in July, 1866.
Rev. J.H. Stribbling pastored the church a part of 1867.  Rev. Jonas Johnston accepted the work for the remainder of the year, and served until 1870.
Revs, D.P. Everett, and W.H. Dodson were Pastors from 1871 to 1873. W.W. James elected Clerk.  Deacons ordained were A. Williams, James Huffman, and W.W. James.
These pioneers had no house of worship, but met in the school house until 1871. At that time present house of worship was erected, and dedicated August 4, 1872. Cost of the new house $2,701.73 gold.
Rev. M.V. Smith was Pastor from January 1874 to December, but released during the year to make a Sunday School tour of N. Texas.
Rev. W. (A or W or N) Keep, Pastor 1875-1877.  I.S. Meyer (?) elected Church Clerk.
On January 24, 1875, the Plantersville Baptist Sunday School was adopted into the Church, and J.A. Morris elected Superintendent.
In 1879, Rev. W.B. Bagby was Pastor one year, followed by Rev. B.B. Williams to 1882.
1883, no record, none in 1884 or 1885.  Rev. G.M. Daniels, Pastor, February 1886-1893.  J.S. Meyer re-elected Clerk. Same Deacons serving; the first one, J.L. Wise, Senior Deacon.
Rev.  George (W) McCall pastor in 1893.  Rev. C.W. Matthews Pastor in 1894. Lem Faw elected Clerk. Revs. J.M. Hughes and J.C. Hudson Pastors in 1895. M.E. Thompson elected Clerk.
No record from January 5, 1896 to March 6, 1897, but one of the old pioneers told the writer that Rev. J.E. Boulet conducted a singing school at this church in 1896, and was called as Pastor the latter part of the year, to serve until 1898. This was Rev. Boulet’s first pastorate, and the Church went forward rapidly under his leadership as attested by the fact that he was recalled in 1908 to 1910, also in 1916 to 1919. R.W. Jeter elected Clerk. Deacons: James Huffman, J.J. Ogg, and R.W. Jeter.  Sunday School reorganized when Bro. Boulet came to work here. R.J. Jeter elected Superintendent.  Mrs. Carrie Stephenson, Clerk.
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No record from 1898 to 1901, Rev. George Cook, Sr. Pastor in 1901 to 1906.  This was another pioneer Baptist preacher of Texas, and exerted his every effort in extending the Kingdom work. M.R. Williams elected Clerk. Rev. C.G. Sullivan, Pastor in 1906. H.R. Winner (or Winter) Superintendent of Sunday School.
No record from 1906 to 1908, (Rev. E.B. Hearn was reported to be Pastor in 1907), when Rev. J.E. Boulet was recalled to the Church. C.E. William Clerk. R.E. Jeter re-elected Superintendent of Sunday School.  Deacons B.M. Stephens and R.W. Jeter.
Rev. George M. Cook, Jr. was licensed to preach by this church in November 1909, and on October 15, 1910 was ordained to the full duties of a Gospel Minister.
Rev. R.J. McGinty called as Pastor November 21, 1909-1910. Deacons were J.A. Neely and R.W. Jeter. O.A. Grant was ordained as Deacon at the time Mr. Neely was and was active. J.A. Neely elected Superintendent of Sunday School.
Rev. George Cook, Jr., Pastor from 1910 to 1916, following in the footsteps of his illustrious father. (Is now (1936) full time Pastor in Brenham. Clerks were Mrs. Beulah Montgomery, and R.W. Jeter.  Deacons C.A. Stone, J.A. Neely, and R.W. Jeter.  C.A. Stone elected Superintendent of Sunday School.
Rev. J.E. Boulet Pastor 1915 to 1919.  J.L. Arnold and Lester Williams Clerks.  J.A. Neely elected Superintendent of Sunday School in 1916. W.P. Montgomery in 1917, and George W. Stephenson.  Rev. Boulet is now (1936) Pastor at Anderson.  Rev. Forrest Williams, Pastor in 1920.
Rev. E.(A. O, or P.) Hardin Pastor from 1922 to 1924. George W. Stephenson and Robert E. Heard were ordained as Deacons.  Ed F. Heishuhum (spelling not clear) was Clerk for a year, then Mrs. Robert E. Heard (present Clerk 1936) was elected. Ed F. Heishuhum (Heishulum?) Superintendent of Sunday School.
Rev. E. Smith, Pastor 1924-26. J.A. Neely elected Superintendent of SS.
Deacons were J.A. Neely, George W. Stephenson, and Robert E. Heard.
Dan Wallace was ordained to preach by this church on September 14, 1924.  Rev. O.W. Tucker was Pastor from 1927 to January 1929.
(Rev. W.W. Rozella was Pastor 1921-1927). J.A. Neely was re-elected as Superintendent to Sunday School.  Rev. J.R. Campbell was Pastor part of 1926 and 1927. F.A. Loftin elected Superintendent of Sunday School.  Deacons were J.A. Neely and Robert E. Heard.
Rev. Evander Ammons of Houston, Texas, was called as Pastor in 1929, but served only part of the year, after which Rev. E.P. Hardin was called again as Pastor until 1931. Robert E. Heard, Superintendent of Sunday School.
The Creath Brazos Workers Conference commenced at this church in March 1931.
Rev. E.E. Carrington of Bryan was Pastor from 1932-1934. At present (1936) he has a full-time church near that city.  E.B. Watson elected Superintendent of Sunday School, and is the present Superintendent (1936). Deacons were E.B. Watson, and Robert E. Heard.
Rev. J.H. Henderson was called as Pastor in 1934, and is the present Pastor (1936). Deacons were M.L. McKinney, 1934 and 1935. Present Deacons (1936) are E.B. Watson, and Robert E. Heard.
Church membership is 105, with only 74 residents, including one mission in Todd, and members in Smith Store community.
The Sunday School has an enrollment of 70, with 35 average attendance.
The Mission Sunday School elected R.L. McGraw as Superintendent, enrollment 35. Are considering organization of a church there. However, plans are not definite just at this time.
This is the history of the Plantersville Baptist Church in this 1936 year of the Centennial of our great state of Texas.
Would that the Pioneer spirit of these and other old soldiers of the cross ever be an inspiration to the church of this little town and community, and extend unto the ends of the earth.
Submitted by Mrs. Robert E. Heard
Church Clerk.
April 1936