Our History
Under the direction of Rev. W.H. Byers, D.D. Evangelist of Brazos Presbytery, assisted by Rev. H.B. Burr, the Presbyterian Church was organized April 28, 1876. Frank Morris was elected and ordained an Elder of the church, serving as the only elder for three years, until 1879, when R.H. Northrup was elected an additional elder.
The Charter members of said church were:
Patsy Jones, Lemira Gaithers, S.L. Collier, M.L. Cathey, W.A. Knox, S.E. Knox, E.M. Gardner, N.R.N. Montgomery, Daniel M. Morris, M. W. Morris, M.M. Alexander, Emma P. Crow and Frank Morris.
The deed to the lot is recorded on July 12, 1877, and was transferred by the Townsite Company to W.A. Knox, J.F. Crowe, and Frank Morris as trustees, for the sum of $125.00. On May16, 1885 the adjoining lot was donated to the Church by the Company.
In 1886 the present building was erected by Frank Morris and George Waitman. It was repaired and interior refinished in 1926 but the building virtually stands as originally erected.
In 1892 a lot was procured some six blocks east of the church building and a Manse erected it. In 1901, new and modern seats or pews were installed in the church.
In 1883 through the good offices of Mr. J.F. Crow, a friend presented the Church a fine silver communion service. Though the Church has a lately bought an individual service, it still values the old communion service. This friend who presented the service was Mrs. Laura Lanier Dun, wife of General W.F. Dunn, Washington, D.C.
The Sunday School was organized under the direction of the Session of the Church the first Sabbath in January 1884, and has been maintained continuously until this date under the leadership of J.W. Williams, H.C. Joekel, Herman Joekel and R.M. Vogel as Superintendents.
The Ladies Missionary Society, now the Woman’s Auxiliary was organized May 14, 1897 at the home of Mrs. J.W. Williams. The charter members were Mrs. P.S. Anderson, Mrs. E.E. Bryan, Mrs. Gould, Mrs. J.W. Williams, Mrs. Frank Morris, Mrs. W.A. Knox, and Miss Carrie Knox, Secretary and Treasurer. This society has been active and affiliated with the Woman’s Presbyterial Auxiliary of Brazos Presbytery.
The church has given to the Kingdom three or more effective ministers, two useful minister’s wives, and many faithful workers in all fields of church work. Rev. W.H. McCullough, Rev. Robert Knox, missionary in Korea, and Rev. W.H. McCullough, Rev. Robert Knox, missionary in Korea, and Rev. S.E. Joekel, D.D. of the Austin Theological Seminary, are the ministers: Mrs. S.E. Chandler wife of Rev. S.E. Chandler, President of Daniel Baker College, and Mrs. M.M. McFerrin, wife of Rev. M.M. McFerrin, Augusta, GA.
Compiled by:
Mrs. Vernon E. Harrison
July 25, 1934