Church History
In 1871, with Dr. B. H. Carroll, Brother Baines was instrumental in reorganizing the Belton church, and served as pastor until 1874.
In January, 1875, Elder M. V. Smith was called to be pastor. Born in South Carolina in 1837, he moved with his family to Mississippi and later to Texas. He served in the Confederate Army, the first two years of the war he served as captain and chaplain, then he resigned to become missionary for the Baptist Convention, preaching to troops west of the Mississippi.
In the early eighties there was a movement to relocate the two branches of Baylor, nearer the center of population and railroad facilities. Bro. Smith was instrumental in getting the girls’ college moved to Belton. The college faculty and students have made an important contribution to the church, while being allied with a strong local church has been great benefit to the college.
At the end of his pastorate of eighteen years – the longest at that time in the state, M. V. Smith had endeared himself to the town and county as well as to his own congregation. He was friend and mentor to all who sought his counsel. He had a prominent part in gaining for the town water works, electric lights and a telephone exchange, the dam across the Leon River, and both the Santa Fe and M. K. and T. railroads. Firm in his convictions, he was yet never a controversialist, being above all a man of peace. His comparatively early death was mourned by the entire community, all the stores closing for the whole day of the funeral, including the six saloons.
Following M. V. Smith was a succession of good pastors, each of whom made his contribution to the life of the church. Rev. Walter C. Lattimore, who had come from Mississippi to be city missionary in San Antonio, followed Bro. Smith in 1893. The success of his ministry is evidenced by the report for that year of 70 baptisms, a total membership of 427, and gifts of $2,417.93.
In 1897 Dr. R. K. Maiden, of Kansas City, became pastor. He was a scholarly man and an excellent preacher. The outstanding event of his ministry was the enlargement of the church building, made necessary by the growing membership, with a wing added on each side.
Rev. E. G. Townsend was called to be pastor in 1902. Born in Missouri, he moved with his family to Texas, graduated from Baylor University, and soon thereafter came to Belton as a teacher in the college. His tenure of a little more than five years was a period of continuous growth. The membership had increased to 488 in 1905, 533 in 1906, and 570 in 1907. Brother Townsend resigned to give full time to his work at the college. He continued to preach as needed.