Wyaconda Baptist Church was organized August 30, 1829.

We hear about the Pilgrims and the Pioneers and they seem far away and long ago. Truth is what we are doing today will someday be “long ago”. With Ancestory.com and other historical documents becoming easily accessible, many people are trying to connect themselves with someone famous, wealthy, or powerful. Although it might not directly benefit us, it still makes us feel just a little more special because of the connection. This is what makes our Church so special! This church can claim a heritage and lineage that few can rival!

Wyaconda Baptist Church was organized August 30, 1829. We are the oldest Church on record in Lewis County Missouri. The Church first met in homes in the LaGrange, Missouri area until it moved here to Canton 2 years later. The Pastor and Church-Planter, Jeremiah Taylor, organized the Church with 20 charter members. He was from Marion County Missouri and had started several churches there as well. Bro. Jeremiah Taylor is buried in Palmyra, Mo.

Missouri became a state in 1821. Even before it was a state, Baptist pioneers were making their way from Kentucky and Tennessee to Southern Missouri. They settled there and established many Churches. One family, the Newbold Cannon family, from Bath County Kentucky, with their five sons and several sons-in-law, made their way to Northeast Missouri. They may have boated down the Ohio River and then up the Mississippi River until they came to Hannibal, Mo (1819), from there the group could have traveled by land up to Lewis county. Newbold Cannon was one of the many families that received land from the US Government. Newbold was described by his great granddaughter as being cordial and hospitable. He was the landholder that donated this property to Wyaconda Baptist Church in 1831.

These Pioneers were not of the same breed that we have today in America. They were tough. They were rough. “These were men of intellect, and fearless individuality. They acted upon the idea that they were laying the foundation of an empire in the west!” They faced incredible hardships. Newbold’s oldest son, Henry, was killed by the Indians in 1830. Henry’s wife, Elizabeth, was a charter member of WBC. She was expecting their first daughter when he was killed. In spite of all this, they knew that if they were going to live somewhere, the first thing that the area needed was a Bible believing, Devil hating, Jesus loving, sin condemning Baptist Church!!!

These men and women were not only mindful of themselves. They were pioneers who came to a dangerous and uncharted state to begin something that would endure the test of time! The City of Canton was founded in 1830 by Edward White, Robert Sinclair (Charter Member of Wyaconda Baptist Church), and Issac Bland. We believe that it is incredible that a charter member of WBC was also helpful in founding our town of Canton, Missouri! Newbold Cannon’s wife, Uncy, was the first to be buried in our Church Cemetery. Their Great, Great, Great Grandson and their Great, Great, Great, Great Grandson were current members and participants in our 190 year celebration. The Cannon’s great, great, great, great, great, great granddaughter plays in our nursery every week!

Now let me be clear: It is incredible that we have these wonderful, rich historical connections here at WBC! But, It doesn't matter who we are related to. I could be related to George Washington. That wouldn't make me president, brave, or a statesman! Being related to Newbold Cannon does not make you a Christian. What we do with Jesus is a personal matter! If we expect to enter the Pearly Gates of Heaven, then we must enter that gate the Jesus Way. He said, I am the Way… Jesus said “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”! Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to enter Heaven we must be Born Again. This means that God has given us a new birth… a new family… a purified record… our sins must be forsaken and we must submit to our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Being a Christian is not about saying it, it is about LIVING it! Jesus said “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments”! It doesn't matter who you are related to, good or bad! What matters is your relationship with Jesus Christ! Have you accepted Jesus into your life? Has He forgiven you of your sins?