First Whitesboro Church
Included Indian Ministry

 

WHITESBORO - Churches were an important part of Whitesboro's early history. As early as 1850 a log cabin church, the first house of worship for the community, was erected by a Methodist missionary named Rev. Blue.

The church was used for ministering to Indians and few white settlers. The church stood where the old part of Oakwood Cemetery is now located.

By 1895, Whitesboro had churches of six denominations: Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic and Christian.

The first Presbyterian church was organized by B. Frazier on March 22, 1858, with 16 members who met in the old log school house. Their first church building was built in 1878 - the first one in the city.

During its first 10 years, 497 members were taken into the church. The first Manse was bought in 1878 on Hall Street and was destroyed by fire. The next one was located on the corner of Trollinger and North Avenue. Recently a new one was purchased on Hall and North Union.

In 1906 the First Presbyterian Church united with Cumberland Presbyterian, and the name was changed to the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. In 1957 the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. united with the United Presbyterian Church and was renamed the United Presbyterian Church. The church is now located on Main Street.

Bones Chapel Presbyterian and Sandy Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Churches also were built before 1900. Rev. H.T. Bone built Bones Chapel in 1885, a mile west of the present location, a few miles northwest of Whitesboro. It
was known as the old Grange Presbyterian Church.

Sandy Springs church, now located at Sandusky, was built in 1879 on land purchased from S.V. Pike for $20. A.W. Rogers organized the church.

First Baptist Church was organized in 1859, but it wasn't until 1906 that it received that name.

The Rev. S.A. Beauchamp dedicated a new church built on land given by Dr. Trollinger in 1884, and that building was
shared with the Presbyterians.

Captain and Mrs. T. J. Dover were organizers of the first Christian Church in Whitesboro in 1872. The group met in the old log school house before meeting in the Dove home, then meeting in the Presbyterian church, and finally building a church in 1885.

St. Thomas Catholic Church was located on Collinsville Street between the Post Office and the Whitesboro Manufacturing Company. During the early 1880's Mass was held at the home of James McGillicudy, with Father Levy of Denison officiating.

Later, Catholics purchased the former Christian Church in 1906, and it was dedicated by Bishop Dunn of Dallas.

A square frame building built in 1877 was the meeting place for the First Methodist-Episcopal Church South. A pulpit and alcove for the choir were added later and the church was dedicated by Bishop Charles G. Galloway in 1888.

In 1905 the Robertson Memorial Methodist Church was built and named after _. H. Robertson, the man who turned the first shovel of dirt and drove the last nail. Rev. J.W. Hill was first pastor. The group constructed a new church on South Union Street in 1958.

Today Whitesboro has approximately 30 churches.

Whitesboro History
Susan Hawkins
© 2024

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