First Presbyterian Church
Whitesboro, Texas


Original Church building



First Presbyterian Church
Whitesboro Texas
1868 - 1968
compiled by Mrs. Frankie Hall

-1868 -
Old church was built from lumber hauled from Jefferson, Texas which was used until 1951 without major change.

- 22 March 1868 -
Organized by Rev. B. Frazier
 Adopted as its Confession of Faith the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
 Sixteen Charter Members: W. W. Foreman, A. D. Foreman, L. A. Foreman, M. L. Webster, H. C. Richey, Maggie Richey, Susan Richey, John M. Richey, Jane Richey, Robert Roland, James W. Roland, Susan Roland, Sarah Roland, Elizabeth Roland, Mary Roland, James Roland.

 James Roland and John M. Richey elected to office of Ruling Elder

 M.L. Webster elected Clerk of Session

 First Worship Service held at "The Old Long School House" (former home of Mrs. G.E. Malone).

 Three other denominations worshiped in "The Old Long School House: Methodist, Baptist, Christian.

Building was a one-room structure. Later remodeled into a larger building with three or more rooms.

Rooms dived by partitions hung from the ceilings by hinges which were raised or lowered as needed.

 First Sunday School organized by Mr. M. D. Lawrence, Superintendent.
Sunday School Class Members: Miss Sudie Dove, Lillie Trollinger, Lillie Huff, Parilee Hughey, Cassey Hughes and Willie Peterson.

497 members received during the church's first ten years of existence.

- 1878 -
 First Manse was purchased on Hall Street but soon destroyed by fire. 
Second Manse was on Trollinger Ave.
Third Manse was located on 201 North Union street.  Pastor was Rev. Charles W. Estes.


- Beginning in 1882 - 
The minutes of Session were kept for about 25 years.  Records and Minutes of Session were lost between 1889 and 1901.

- 1889 -
General Assembly ruled that a Quarterly Communion be observed in all Presbyterian Churches.
The Whitesboro Church began this practice the same year.

- 1889-1901 -
 Presbyterian Church changed its Confession of Faith from Cumberland Church to the Presbyterian church, U.S.A.


- 1957 -
 Manse was replaced with a modern, three-bedroom, brick-veneer building.


- 1951 -
Four classrooms, two restrooms, kitchen, hallway and fellowship hall were added at a cost of $10,000.
New consonnate organ, new Baldwin piano donated by Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Allen Sr., carpet for women's classroom and the choir section.

- 1954 -
Remodeling; refinishing the Sanctuary, installing 24 twelve-foot, natural oak pews, carpet for a cost of $27,968.
Included brick veneer on the Sanctuary, front four classrooms, entrance and bell tower, installation of
16 new-art stained glass windows; repaired or re-installed other stained glass memorial windows.
New massive concrete front was poured, pulpit furniture (large pulpit desk, a double-seat pew, two chairs, communion
table donated by the E. T. Gordon family in memory of Mr. & Mrs. E. T. Gordon, Ina Gordon Nichol and Harvey Gordon).

- Feb 20, 1955 -
First meeting in the new Sanctuary

- March 20, 1955 -
Formal dedication

- 1964 -

- 1967 -
101 members.
  Elders: Leon Rogers, R. B. Head Jr., E. T. Allen Jr., Virgil Williams, Mrs. Charles Estes, Dr. J. W. Rogers, W. C. Jamison, Ron Smith, George Fisher.
  Teachers: Mr. Jamison, Mrs. Harry Reast, Mrs. Frankie Hall, Ron Smith, Mrs. Lucille Head, R. B. Head.

- 1968 -
Elders elected: Mrs. Artest Allen, Mrs. Harry Reast, Dewey Tipton, Jim Holt.
Trustees elected: Charles Eases, George Fischer, Leon Rogers.


First Presbyterian Church History

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Susan Hawkins
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