HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972 Thirty Years History: First Baptist Church Book (Pg. 7)`Dear Rev. Brown:
"As I am compelled to leave the College before you return, and since
the Committee from the Board plans to be here next week, 1 want to
submit the results of the conferences we held in your absence to you.
"I requested the Committee to meet on the afternoon of October 30th
and in response to that call Mr. McDonald, Mr. Wi lu mson, and Mr.
Lanham were. present. Feeling that we were not justified in going ahead,
we adjourned without taking any action, and I again requested a
meeting the afternoon of November 2nd, 1 believe it was, when the
same group was present plus Mr. Marburger who could not attend the
meeting the day before.
"With the exception of Mr. McDonald, I do not believe that any male
member of the Baptist group has great enthusiasm for a building
program. They seem to feel, as best I can discern their position, that it
is a mistake to undertake m construct a number of protestant churches
on or near the campus. They seem to think to do so, would be to incur
burdens and obligations upon the local group that they do not feel they
are able to carry, and in addition that such a program would not result
in the greatest constructive effort in developing a spiritual program for
campus residents and members of the student body.
"1 think that undoubtedly some such point of view is held by practi-
cally every man with whom 1 have talked. 1 confess to you that my
point of view is very much the same. There has been practically nothing
done except an effort made to arrange for a committee to meet with
the Committee that comes from the Board next week, and Mr.
Williamson was requested to see Mr. Tauber and ascertain whether he
could purchase the lot just across the road from the Methodist
property, and if so at what price. In addition to the feeling that it is
unwise to undertake a building program, it is also the feeling that Mr.
Boyett is endeavoring to hold-up the denominations on the question of
price of his property.
"I thought you would be interested in knowingjust what transpired In
the meetings. 1 believe this about represents the point of view of our
particular group. Since this is the situation, and since I have made
several unsuccessful attempts to get the cooperation of the group, 1 feel
that you have the wrong man as chairman, and ask to be relieved of any
further responsibility in connection with the chairmanship of the
group. If the denomination decides to go ahead with the program, I
shall be ready to make contribution as I feel that I am able to make to
the cause, but 1 du not believe that I should undertake to function as
chairman of this particular group any longer."
The location of church property and a building program are always
very important- Rev. Brown began making plans for these things soon
after he began the student program. He told Mr. W. C. Boyett, who
owned all the land just north of the campus, and at that time a cotton
field, that when he began locating streets and getting the property for
sale that the Bapfists would want the lot just off of what is University
Drive at the North Gate. He was told that the request would be
considered and that the Baptists would have first chance at the lot. The
time was approaching when a location of the property must be secured
and the Baptist Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of
Texas was ready to consider the proposition.
On the evening before the meeting of the Executive Board the next
day, Rev. Brown was informed that the Baptists could not secure the
lot. The Methodists, who had already secured the lot where their
education building now stands and had a small temporary parsonage
built, wanted (he lot and had sent a committee to see Mrs- Boyett, who
was a Methodist, and asked her not to sign the papers. Another dream
of Rev. Brown seemed to conte to an end. Rev. Brown got in touch
with the Methodist student pastor, King Vivion, and asked him about
the situation. Rev. Vision told Me Brown that the Methodists did want
The lot for it was It better location than what they had. At that time the
lot where the Methodist sanctuary now stands belonged to the Masons
at College Stahmt. Rev. Vision and Rev. Brown got together for a
discussion of the matter and made a survey of the situation. Rev.
Vision said, "Let as buy the land together and build the Methodist
Church un uric corner of the block now owned by the Baptists, and the
Baptist church on the other corner. Then the denominations could
build both pastors' homes on the lot owned by the Methodists. Rev.
Brown told Rev. Vivian that such a program was not advisable for
neither lot was actually large enough for a future program for the
drcrches. This was the end of securing a location for the Baptists for
the time being.
After some months and after the Methodists had given up the idea
because of a lack of hinds. Rev. Brown was told by a Bryan friend of
his that he thought Mr. Boyett would consider selling the Baptists the
property for he understood that Mr. Boyett needed Sonne money. Rev.
Brown just casually stopped Mr. Boyett on the street and asked him
about the lot. Mr. Boyett informed him that he would sell him the lot
A time and place wa< .ranged to onside, Iha propo,hion. Res h own
nibunncd ha commence in regard to the situation and told Ihcm what
he though( they would have to pay for the property 54,000- lie was
told to go ahead with (he transaction and secure the lot. At the meeting
with Mr. Boyett, Rev. Brown was told that the Baptists could buy the
property and the price would be $4,000 and that as soon as the papers
could be prepared that the property would be turned over to the
Baptists. Of course, the money had to be secured for the small group of