Rufus C. Burleson
1862 - 1863, 1865 - 1867, 1870
Rufus C. Burleson came to Waco from Independence in 1861 to serve as president of Waco University. He accepted the call from the Waco congregation and began his pastorate on January 1, 1862. He maintained his association with the university as well as duties as chaplain to Confederate forces during the war. Because of these responsibilities, his service to the Waco congregation was sporadic until 1871. A popular and charismatic figure, Dr. Burleson would later serve as president of Baylor University after its move to Waco and merger with Waco University.