Truett, George W. (George Washington), 1867-1944

Southern Baptist pastor, evangelist, and denominational leader. Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas from 1897 to his death in 1944. Served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1927-1929 and President of the Baptist World Alliance, 1934-1939.

Southern Baptist pastor and denominational leader. Truett served as long-time pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas.

George Washington Truett an acclaimed Baptist minister, was born in Clay County, North Carolina, on 1867 May 6. His parents were Charles L. and Mary R. (Kimsey) Truett. From an early age, Truett showed an interest in academics. He attended the Hayesville Academy near his home from 1875 to 1885. The direction of his life fundamentally changed after his conversion experience at a local evangelical revival in 1886.

From that point forward, Truett devoted his life to the sharing of the gospel. In 1889, he followed his parents to Whitewright, Texas. While attending Grayson Junior College, Truett taught Sunday school and often filled in for the pastor at the local Baptist church. He was officially ordained as a Baptist minister in 1890.

His powerful oratorical skills added to Truett's growing reputation in Texas. In 1890, Truett joined the staff at Baylor University and was influential in paying a university debt of $92,000 in two years. He enrolled at the university as a student in 1893. To pay for his education, Truett preached at nearby East Waco Baptist Church. He married Josephine Jenkins on 1894 June 28. The couple had three daughters.

After graduating in 1897, Truett accepted the pastorate at the First Baptist Church in Dallas. He held this position for forty-seven years, increasing the church membership from 715 to 7,804. During World War I, Truett was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to preach to American troops in Europe. On 1920 May 16, Truett delivered one of his most famous sermons on the steps of the U.S. Capitol concerning the principles of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. He was president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1927-1929 as well as the president of Baptist World Alliance from 1934-1939. Truett was also able to publish many of his sermons in book form. Truett died in Dallas on 1944 July 7.

The George W. Truett Theological Seminary, found on the Baylor University campus, was chartered in 1991 and named for Reverend Truett. The inaugural class graduated six years later.