George Washington Truett
Encyclopedia
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
from 1927-1929, minister and writer. He was one of the most significant Southern Baptist preachers of his era. He was invited by President Woodrow Wilson both to address the Allied forces in Europe and gave a particularly memorable speech supporting freedom of religion on the steps of the US Capitol in 1920.
Early Life & Education
Truett was born on a farm in HayesvilleHayesville, North Carolina
Hayesville is a town in Clay County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 297 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Clay County.-Geography:Hayesville is located at ....
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, to Charles L. Truett and Mary R. Kimsey. He graduated from Hayesville Academy in 1885 and founded the Hiawassee Academy in Towns County, Georgia.
Following his family to Whitewright, Texas in 1889, he joined the Whitewright Baptist Church. It was here that he made the decision to enter the ministry, and Truett was ordained in 1890.
In 1891, Truett was hired by the president of Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in Waco to serve as its financial secretary. Enterprising and energetic, Truett raised $92,000 in less than two years and completely wiped out the school's indebtedness.
He enrolled as a freshman at Baylor in 1893. Truett married Josephine Jenkins of Waco in 1894 and served as student-pastor of East Waco Baptist Church while at Baylor. He graduated in June 1897 with an AB degree.
Life as a Pastor
Truett accepted the position of Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dallas in September 1897, and remained there until his death in July, 1944. During his 47 year pastorate, membership increased from 715 to 7,804; a total of 19,531 new members were received, and total contributions were $6,027,741.52.While serving at First Baptist, he also served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
, 1927–29, and of the Baptist World Alliance
Baptist World Alliance
The Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:...
. When the United States entered World War I, he was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson for a six-month tour to preach to the Allied Forces in Europe.
Truett's most famous sermon was delivered on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, DC on May 16, 1920. Thousands heard his message, "Baptists and Religious Liberty", in which he reminded the audience that the United States was founded on the principles of religious freedom and separation of church and state.
Truett had a special affinity with cowboys who worked the cattle drives in central Texas. He was concerned that these men spent a great deal of their lives isolated from society and the availability of the church. Every year for 37 years, he took several weeks from his pulpit to travel with cattle drives and minister to the cowboys.
Truett died on July 7, 1944 in Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Namesakes
- The seminary at Baylor University, George W. Truett Theological SeminaryGeorge W. Truett Theological SeminaryGeorge W. Truett Theological Seminary is a Baptist theological seminary in Waco, Texas. The seminary, named after Southern Baptist preacher George Washington Truett, was founded in 1993 as part of Baylor University.-History:...
- Truett-McConnell CollegeTruett-McConnell CollegeTruett-McConnell College is a private, Christian, coeducational liberal arts college in Cleveland, Georgia, United States. It is operated under the auspices of the Georgia Baptist Convention, and controlled by a Board of Trustees elected by the Convention. The college was named to honor George W....
(named after both Truett and Truett's cousin, Fernando C. McConnell) - George W. Truett Elementary School, part of the Dallas Independent School DistrictDallas Independent School DistrictThe Dallas Independent School District is a school district based in Dallas, Texas . Dallas ISD, which operates schools in much of Dallas County, is the second largest school district in Texas and the twelfth largest in the United States.In 2009, the school district was rated "academically...
. - S. Truett CathyS. Truett CathySamuel Truett Cathy is the founder of Chick-fil-A, a quick service restaurant chain based in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, USA.-Early life:...
, founder of Chick-fil-AChick-fil-AChick-fil-A |"fillet"]]) is a quick service restaurant chain headquartered in College Park, Georgia, United States, specializing in chicken entrées and is known for promoting the company founder's claims of Christian values. Long associated with the southern United States, where it has been a... - Truett Memorial 1st Baptist Church, Hayesville, North Carolina ( birthplace of George Truett
See Also
- Southern Baptist ConventionSouthern Baptist ConventionThe Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
- Southern Baptist Convention PresidentsSouthern Baptist Convention PresidentsThe President of the Southern Baptist Convention heads the denomination and is elected at the yearly convention. The term is for one year, and a candidate can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.-See also:...
- List of Southern Baptist Convention affiliated people
- First Baptist Church (Dallas, Texas)
- Baylor UniversityBaylor UniversityBaylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
- Baptist World AllianceBaptist World AllianceThe Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:...