Marker Details

Tryon, The Rev. William M.


2525 Washington Avenue

Houston , 77007

Notes:
"Project Sponsored by the New Covenant Department First Baptist Church" on reverse
Directions: Glenwood Cemetery, Section F-2; across road, about 40 yards south of Stuart marker

Key Time Period: 1836 - 1845 Republic of Texas

Corretions/New Research:

Marker Text: (March 10, 1809 - November 16, 1847)

William Milton Tryon of New York City lost his father at the age of 9. At 17, young William was baptized. He and his mother moved to Georgia in 1832 where William was licensed to preach. He attended the Mercer Institute and was ordained as a minister in 1836. Tryon was pastor of five churches in Alabama and married Louisa Higgins in 1840.



In 1841 the Rev. Mr. Tryon volunteered to go to Texas for the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Tryon became a circuit rider in southeast Texas, reviving the church at Washington-on-the-Brazos. He was instrumental in Texas Baptist affairs, beginning the first of five terms as moderator of the Union Baptist Association in Texas. He suggested the formation of the Texas Baptist Education Society and, with Robert E. B. Baylor, drafted the charter for a Texas Baptist college. Tryon served as chaplain of the Texas Senate from 1843-1845, and became the first president of the Baylor University Board of Trustees in 1845.



On July 21, 1845, Tryon became the second missionary pastor of the First Baptist Church of Houston and was soon its first resident pastor. The membership, which had no church building, numbered only twelve. Tryon raised the money to erect a brick edifice on donated land at the corner of Travis Street and Texas Avenue. The completed structure was dedicated in May 1847. By the end of the summer sixty-nine new members had joined the congregation.



William M. Tryon died of yellow fever in November 1847. He was interred in the churchyard. Years later, when the property was sold, his remains were transferred to Glenwood Cemetery. (1998)



Incise on back:

Project Sponsored by the New Covenant Department, First Baptist Church
Marker Type: Marker with Post
Historical Org: Texas Historical Commission (THC)

Key Map Information: 493 J

GPS Coordinates: 29 45.916, 95 23.106

Precinct No: 2

Marker No: 11973