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Baines was the third minister of the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church and the moderator of the Red River Baptist Association. He assisted in the organization of the North Louisiana Baptist Convention in 1848.​<ref name=dict>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-b/|title=Baines, George Washington|publisher=''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography,'' Louisiana Historical Association|accessdate=October 2, 2019}}</ref>

Baines was the third minister of the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church and the moderator of the Red River Baptist Association. He assisted in the organization of the North Louisiana Baptist Convention in 1848.​<ref name=dict>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-b/|title=Baines, George Washington|publisher=''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography,'' Louisiana Historical Association|accessdate=October 2, 2019}}</ref>

 

==Eight churches in Texas==​

==Eight churches in Texas==​

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After his service at Mount Lebanon, Baines relocated to Huntsville, Texas, where he was the pastor of still another Baptist Church. Later, in Independence, Texas, Baines met the legendary [[Sam Houston]], who became a lifelong friend. Reverend Baines counseled Houston on the desirability of baptism after making a Christian commitment of faith. Consequently, Sam Houston was baptized in the last decade of his life on November 19, 1854, not by Baines, but by the Reverend Rufus C. Burleson, who had succeeded Baines as the pastor at the Independence Baptist Church.​

After Mount Lebanon, Baines relocated to Huntsville, Texas, where he was the pastor of still another Baptist Church. Later, in Independence, Texas, Baines met the legendary [[Sam Houston]], who became a lifelong friend. Reverend Baines counseled Houston on the desirability of baptism after making a Christian commitment of faith. Consequently, Sam Houston was baptized in the last decade of his life on November 19, 1854, not by Baines, but by the Reverend Rufus C. Burleson, who had succeeded Baines as the pastor at the Independence Baptist Church.​

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During his ministry in Texas, Baines also pastored in Anderson, Fairfield, Springfield, Butler, Florence, and Salado. He founded the first Baptist newspaper in Texas, ''The Texas Baptist,'' and edited the publication from 1855 until 1860, when it ceased production with the advent of the [[American Civil War]]. He led churches in prayer days, distribution of Bibles, aid to families, and soldier relief work during the war.​

During his ministry in Texas, Baines also pastored in Anderson, Fairfield, Springfield, Butler, Florence, and Salado. He founded the first Baptist newspaper in Texas, ''The Texas Baptist,'' and edited the publication from 1855 until 1860, when it ceased production with the advent of the [[American Civil War]]. He led churches in prayer days, distribution of Bibles, aid to families, and soldier relief work during the war.​

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==Family obituaries==​

==Family obituaries==​

On January 21, 1865, Melissa Baines died while the family was living in Fairfield. Baines' mother had died months earlier, after having come to live with the family. Melissa Baines is buried in an unmarked grave in Fairfield Cemetery. The grave was not located by family members until 1960. Baines made her coffin with his own hands. Six months later on June 13, Baines married a then 33-year-old widow, Cynthia W. Williams, also originally from North Carolina.​

On January 21, 1865, Melissa Baines died while the family was living in Fairfield, Texas. Baines' mother had died months earlier, after having come to live with the family. Melissa Baines is buried in an unmarked grave in Fairfield Cemetery. The grave was not located by family members until 1960. Baines made her coffin with his own hands. Six months later on June 13, Baines married a then 33-year-old widow, Cynthia W. Williams, also originally from North Carolina.​

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In 1866, Baines traveled as field agent for the Texas Baptist State Convention and in 1867 moved his family to Salado, where he pastored the First Baptist Church. In 1877, he became an agent for the Education Commission of the Baptist State Convention, but in 1881, the Salado congregation compelled him to resume the pastorate there. After the death of second wife Cynthia Baines on February 4, 1878, Baines lived with his daughter Anna Melissa Baines in Belton in Bell County,  until he died of [[malaria]] the day before his 73rd birthday. Baines is interred in Salado in Bell County. Joseph Wilson Baines, one of the ten children of George and Melissa Baines, was the father of [[Rebekah Baines Johnson]], the mother of Lyndon B. Johnson.​

In 1866, Baines traveled as field agent for the Texas Baptist State Convention and in 1867 moved his family to Salado, where he pastored the First Baptist Church. In 1877, he became an agent for the Education Commission of the Baptist State Convention, but in 1881, the Salado congregation compelled him to resume the pastorate there. After the death of second wife Cynthia Baines on February 4, 1878, Baines lived with his daughter Anna Melissa Baines in Belton in Bell County,  until he died of [[malaria]] the day before his 73rd birthday. Baines is interred in Salado in Bell County. Joseph Wilson Baines, one of the ten children of George and Melissa Baines, was the father of [[Rebekah Baines Johnson]], the mother of Lyndon B. Johnson.​

The George Washington Baines House has been restored and operates as the popular Baines House Bed and Breakfast Inn in Salado.​

The George Washington Baines House has been restored and operates as the popular Baines House Bed and Breakfast Inn in Salado.​

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==References==

==References==

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