Jack Hyles in Rusk County

Jack Frasure Hyles became a famous preacher as the pastor for First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana from August of 1959 until his death in February of 2001, a period of over forty years. At times during the pastorate of Hyles, First Baptist of Hammond was recognized for having the world’s largest Sunday school (1970s) and for being the largest Baptist Church in the United States (1990s). Jack Hyles led First Baptist Hammond to found the Hyles-Anderson College and Hammond Baptist Schools. For many years he was associated with John R. Rice, editor of The Sword of the Lord. Late in his ministry, Hyles attraced a lot of negative publicity.

Before going to Hammond, Indiana, Hyles pastored four churches in Texas, Marris Chapel at Bogata, Grange Hall in Marshall, Miller Road in Garland – and the Southside Baptist Church in Henderson, Rusk County, Texas. He was probably pastor in Henderson for about 1-1/2 years (and probably a student at ETBU in Marshall at the time). Jack F. Hyles is listed as pastor of Southside in “Table A. Church and Membership” of the Rusk County Missionary Baptist Association “For Year Ending September 30, 1952” (p. 43), but not again in the 1953 minute book. Comparing the 1951-1953 association minutes suggests that Hyles came to Southside after September 30, 1951 (probably early-to-mid 1952), and left sometime in 1953 before Southside prepared their September 30, 1953 report. He led Miller Road Baptist Church of Garland out of the Southern Baptist Convention to become an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Church. He also led First Baptist Church of Hammond out of the American Baptist Convention.

Jack F. Hyles was born 100 years ago in Italy, Ellis County, Texas. He is buried at the Memory Lane Memorial Cemetery in Schererville, Lake County, Indiana.