Grayson County TXGenWeb
 
First Presbyterian Church
Whitewright, Texas


ca 1912
At the time that the Sears family migrated to what would become Grayson County, Texas, there were only three settlements in the area - one near Warren, Coffee's Trading Post and Pilot Grove community.  Christopher Sears lived in the Pilot Grove community.  He came from Alabama after the death of his wife, along with his six sons and six daughters.  Being a Cumberland Presbyterian, he missed his church and wishing to have worship service, he called together his neighbors of like faith on  (Holloway, Edith Mae.  History of the Presbyterian Church of Whitewright, Texas)

The First Presbyterian Church of Whitewright, Texas was organized in 1853 at the pioneer log cabin home of Christopher Sears under the name of "Pilot Grove Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church" and was affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian faction.  Services were held in homes of the members at first.  (The Whitewright Sun, Thursday, December 6, 1934, pg. 1)  Rev. R.F. (Uncle Bob) Jones, an early day circuit rider evangelist was the first pastor and remained with the congregation until his death. Dorris Barbee and Christopher (Uncle Kit) Sears were among the first elders.
At the time of the Civil War, the First Presbyterian Church had as many colored members as white members; in the early session minutes, an entry reads "at early candle-lighting - a black man belonging to Polly Montgomery named Daniel was received by recommendation."  Another minute recording reads "the session met and received Nelson, Mary, and George Ben, colored persons."
In 1862 the name of the church was changed from "Pilot Grove" to "Canaan."  Shortly afterwards it appears that the congregation divided into 2 groups with all residents north of Bois d'Arc Creek going to Canaan Church and all those south of the creek forming a group that became known as Sears Chapel.  The Whitewright church is a continuation of the Sears Chapel.  The old Sears Chapel building was moved to Whitewright in the spring of 1883 and located on the lot occupied by the John McMurry home in 1934.  (The Whitewright Sun, December 6, 1934, pg. 1)
The church became known as Sears Chapel, housed in a log cabin on the County Line Road.  
The MK&T Railroad arrived in 1878 and established a terminal at Whitewright.  The congregation moved into the new town in 1883.  The first building was a frame structure on what is now the south parking lot of Earnhart Funeral Home.  The frame building was destroyed by fire.  It was rebuilt on the property of the M. & Mrs. O.L. Jones home.


Notation on the back of picture, "Bro. Fender"
 
Rev. R.A. Gay served as Pastor for two years, followed by Rev. R.R. Crockett from May 1895 until September 1899.  During this time Mr. M. Meskow, a jeweler in town and devout member of the congregation, completed a charcoal drawing of Jesus and Peter which he had been working on for three years, and presented it to the church; the drawing was hung at the front of the sanctuary.

In 1889 the church building was moved to the corner of Walnut and Blanton streets and was completely remodeled.  That year  the women decided to organize for mission work.  Their organizational meeting was held at the home of Mrs. J.C. Ruebell.  Mrs. Joe Nicholson was elected President and the newly formed organization was named "Women's Missionary Society."  In December of the same year, Rev. M.C. Johnson became the minister and filled the pulpit until June 1902.  Rev. Johnson drew the plans for the manse, which was built during his pastorate.  Dr. John Fielder served as pastor until he retired in 1927 when Rev. W.J. Wilbanks took over the pastorate for two years.
In January 1930 Rev. Joe M. Russell became the Pastor and served for 33 years  During his ministry the old church building was razed and a new modern, brick church building was erected, costing $22,000 (The Whitewright Sun, December 6, 1834, pg. 1); the windows in the church were given in memory and honor of friends and relatives.  The Ladies' Aid Society had started a building fund; Joe May contributed the first sizeable gift of $1,000.  The Finance Committe consisted of W.L. Stowers, S.H. Montgomery, J.R. Pennington, Mrs. R.L. Sears, Mrs. Emmet Penn, Mrs. Lester Haile, and Miss Ethel Gordon.  The Building Committee consisted of J.R. Pennington, Luther Sears, J.H. Richey, Mrs. R.L. Sears, Mrs. Tom Barbee, Mrs. Lester Haile, and W.L. Stowers.  


230 W. Walnut St., corner of Blanton St.

Rev. A.W. Yell servied as Pastor for 4 months, followed by Dr. B. Wrenn Webb who served until 1942.  On June 14, 1936 the mortgage on the building was burned and the building was formally dedicated.

 Sources: The History of Grayson County Texas by Grayson County Frontier Village, 1979, pg771
The Whitewright Sun, Thursday, November 19, 1953, pg. 1,8


 First Presbyterian Church History ~ Whitewright

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