By Evelyn Haynes
Transcribed by Gwen Brewer McDaniel, January 19, 2000

According to the original minutes the Baptist Church of Christ of Salem was constituted on the second Sunday in September, 1862. On February 27, 1864, John L. Jackson deeded five and one-half acres of land out of the Wiley B. Winters headright to the Baptist Church of Christ of Salem, in the County of Davis, State of Texas. Davis County is now Cass County. This first location is the present location of Beech Creek Cemetery (Cass County deed records, Vol. Q, Page 34). Elder, as they were called in those days, was the first pastor and David M. Pyle, clerk. Witnesses: E. D. Stephens, D. M. Pyle, D. R. Brown, T. J. Logwood, County Judge, Davis County signed the document.

Date Pastor Clerk

1862-1869 H. Sheffield
1869-1870 Jessie Dodd David M. Pyle 1862-1886
1870-1873 Nelson Porterfield
1873-1874 J. F. McCloud
1874-1881 H. Sheffield
1881-1883 F. B. Harrison
1883-1901 H. Sheffield
James W. Hurt 1886-1887
I. M. Simmons 1891-
T. L. Lewis
L. D. Quinn, Moderator

Cass County Deed Records, Vol. C. –2, Page 453, July 17, 1880 from W. P. Endsley to Salem Missionary Baptist Church – two and one-half acres from the Richard Peters Survey; John J. Casey, J. W. McClung, Deacons, acting for the church.

July 23, 1897 – a parcel of ground deeded to Salem Baptist Church from A. E. McWilliams and R. A. C. McWilliams; L. B. Easters, N. P., J. G. King county clerk.