Central Presbyterian Church
Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Central Presbyterian Church Central Presbyterian Church began as a Cumberland Presbyterian church in 1853, with twelve charter members led by the Rev. Daniel G. Molloy. The congregation met in a building on land donated by William Irwin until 1862, when it began sharing space in the Methodist church building with other local churches. The Presbyterian church built its own sanctuary in 1869-70 and moved it to this site in 1892. During the 1890s, the congregation helped bring Trinity University to Waxahachie, which greatly increased membership. Although the university later moved to San Antonio, the church continued to grow in programs, service and outreach, including a close relationship with the Presbyterian Children's Service. (2003)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1853 as a Cumberland Presbyterian church with just twelve members, this Waxahachie congregation met in donated and shared spaces before building its own sanctuary at the close of the 1860s. In the 1890s its members helped bring Trinity University to town, a partnership that swelled the church's ranks. Though the university eventually decamped to San Antonio, the congregation kept growing through its programs and community service.
Why it matters
The church's role in founding a university shows how frontier-era Texas congregations became engines of education and civic life in their towns.
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Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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