had served long and well, from 1846 to 1903.

In 1835 there was only one Baptist Church in Texas. It had a congregation of fewer than fifty Baptists, this included whites and colored. Previous to 1865 all the people worshiped in the same congregation and were happy. At the close of the War Between the States, the colored members wanted a church and preacher of their own; they slowly withdrew and formed their own churches.

After 1836, Texas had become a Republic -- churches could be organized, and many people went into the Baptist Churches by letter and statement. Some of these had been in Texas many years, some had lost their letters, and some were new arrivals.

THE FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN TEXAS

The first association in Texas was organized October 8, 1847, in Travis with messengers from Independence and LaGrange. This was the origin of Union Association, and had a total membership of forty-five. The number increased; at each session a few more members were admitted, and within six or seven years eighteen churches were represented, and these represented ten different counties. The daughter associations of this first association were Tryon, Colorado River, Trinity River