Reuben is a Local Hero that will never be in History Books. He also helped build the College in North Tyler. Born a slave, raised a bunch of Kids and left a massive foot print UN-equaled to this day.  This fellow was a builder of Churches in Smith Co.  He built 5 and 3 are still going strong. One is the biggest Baptist Church in Tyler, Smith Co.

Don’t know when Reuben became a minister, but on the 1880 census in Texas, his occupation was listed as minister. According to an artical in the Chonicles of Smith Co. TX which was written by Lula Stansell, the Cornith Baptist Church was founded by Rev. Boom in 1863. It was organized under a Brush Arbor near the location of the present church building in Eastern Smith Co. Tx. It was after Rev. Boom left,that the church called Reuben Wright. It was also stated that the members needed a building if this was to be called a church. The few members that were there began to built the church and they named it Corinth Baptist Church, and later a few more members join. The first build was made of logs, but it was later replaced with a frame building. Having a very busy schedule, Reuben Wright sent Rev. Lockhart who pastored for about two years. (This part was taken from Chonicles of Smith Co. Tx published by the Smith County Historical Society Tyler, TX.) When Corinth was founded in 1863, Reuben was only five years old. There’s no date when Reuben was first called or when he left, but he later became the pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Troup, TX. A Mrs. Roberta accepted Christ at Liberty under the pastorate of Reuben. Info provided Michael Parsons.