Rev Paul A. McCasland, 1902-1957

 Paul Alexander McCasland

22nd Pastor of Herrin FBC, 1939-1950

Born: July 10, 1902 in Hunt County, Texas

Died: August 28, 1957 in Portland, Oregon

Rev. McCasland was born in 1902, the 8th child of John Albert Francis and Nancy Mary Ann (Webb) McCasland.  Both of his parents had been raised on farms, and his father became a farmer, as well.  His father passed away when Paul was just shy of turning 13 years old.  In the 1920 census, his mother is listed as head of household with the occupation of farmer.  In the 1930 census, his mother is living with Paul’s brother Charles, and both are listed as proprietors of a beauty parlor.

Timeline:

1920 - listed as a Laborer in Hunt County, TX

1927 - Ordained by the First Baptist Church in Royce City, TX

1928 - Married Bettie Fay Watson in Brown County, TX

1930 - listed as a High school teacher in Brown County, TX...his wife is a grade school teacher

1931 - Graduated from Howard Payne College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree

1937 - Graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, with a Masters of Religious Education and Theological degree. While in school, he served at two small churches.

1938 - Pastored a church in Wilson, TX

1939 - Pastored at Herrin FBC in Herrin, IL. Served there from 1939 to 1950

This is the building that McCasland served at

1942 - Described on a WW2 draft card as being 5'8" tall, 160 lbs, brown eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. Also mentioned is a scar on his lower calf of left leg.

1950 - Left Herrin on a leave of absence to attend SW Baptist Theological Seminary to pursue a Doctor of Religious Education degree

1951 - Joined the Oregon-Washington convention as Secretary of the Dept. of Evangelism and Missions. This organization later became the Northwest Baptist Convention.

1957 - Buried at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Portland, OR

Things that happened while Rev. McCasland was in Herrin:

1. Conducted a VBS under a tent on Bryan Street.  Later a revival was held there and a mission was established.  The church constructed a building and it became the Bryan Street Baptist Church.

2. After the Bryan Street church came into existence, McCasland started a mission in the west part of town, which became the Hurricane Memorial Baptist Church on South 22nd St.

3.  The church purchased the Margrave building and lots.  It was remodeled for the use of Sunday School classrooms, and was later renamed “The McCasland Building” in memory of Rev. McCasland.

4. Added 940 new members

5. Served twice as President of the Herrin Ministerial Alliance

6. Was a member of the Herrin Rotary Club, Lions Club, and Masonic Lodge 693

7. Served 9 years on the Illinois Baptist State Association