Centenary College of Louisiana - Yoncopin Yearbook (Shreveport, LA)

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Old Centenary at Jackson. Its splendid background and line traditions first inspired Doctor Sexton to deep interest in Centenary, at Shreveport. Portrait oi Doctor Sexton when he came to Centenary SaSKSSfeK- C;v„ Jj alios Ljreat Ukurck kana. It was during this period that he met Sallie Gray Moseley of Jefferson, Texas and on August 30, 1893, she became his wife. In 1892 he went to St. Jo, Texas and to Henrietta, Gainsville and Piano in the years immediately following. On August 22, 1894, while at Henrietta, George and Sallie Sexton were blessed with a son, George, Jr., who now re- sides in Shreveport. In 1900 he assumed the pas- torate at Terrell, Texas where he built his first large church. Completion of his service at Terrell found Doctor Sexton becoming presiding Elder of the Gainsville District. His next charge was at Galveston, Texas. In 1905 came the event in Doctor Sexton ' s life which first set him down as a great builder of physical edi- fices as well as of human character. Bishop Hoss called him to go to Houston and there erect a church for the South Houston section. That was Doctor Sexton ' s first great building mission, but in after years friends came to say that wherever he went he either built a church or paid off the debt on one. His was a life of material achievement for others as well as spiritual assistance. The beautiful St. Paul ' s

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jte centers the Mimsterif lege at Conway, Arkansas, where he remained for two years. In 1886, at the age of nineteen he was a licensed minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. By 1891 he was ordained elder and was riding circuit around Magnolia, Arkansas. Dur- ing this period he made another great friendship — with Harvey C. Couch. The Couch youth fre- quently drove into town to bring the young minister to church on Sundays. Harvey Couch ' s father never had been a church-goer, but under the inspiration of this young friend of his son, he be- came an ardent worshiper. The Magnolia period of preaching was brief and George Sexton soon accepted the pastorate at Texar- The Representative Church of Southern Methodism at Washington, D. C, another of Doctor Sexton ' s great building achievements. First M. E. Church, Shreveport. 2EI P ft £•- ,i ; .... ' •■ ' ■- ' ■ - if » ..- : %k , « 3

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JLls Jnena--- ( J-esse J ones M. E. Church at Houston was the result of his efforts there, and he served as its pastor during the period 1906-1909. A young man named Jesse Jones contributed $50,000 to Doctor Sexton for this church, and the friendship which had brought this action was another which lasted through life and always held the two tightly together in the cause of humanity and Christianity. Jesse Jones, as chairman of the Reconstruction Fi- nance Corporation, penned this tribute to his old friend after Doctor Sexton ' s death: Dr. Sexton was a real leader in his field. It is not possible to appraise the real value of his work — it was so far reaching and his fine principles of living were so deeply imprinted on those who came within his influence. His was a purposeful life, with con- structive objectives for the benefit of others. He served to the fullest extent of his seemingly un- limited and various capacities. There is nothing more ne cessary to insure good citizenship and good government than right and clean thinking. Dr. Sexton takes his place with The records of Centenary at Jackson, obtained by Doctor Sexton as he healed the breach between Centenary factions on assum- ing the presidency of the college. Jackson Hall, the only building on the campus when Doctor Sexton became president. vw;- ' : .