First Christian Church of Wills Point
Wills Point, Van Zandt County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Founded in 1882, the congregation first met in the Presbyterian church, and a cotton gin pond north of town was used for baptisms. A church building was erected in 1886, and in 1891 a baptistry was added. The first in town, it was offered for use by other area churches. A parsonage on Pecan Street was bought in the 1920s. A succession of ministers have served here, and this congregation has been instrumental in the training of many student pastors from Texas Christian University. The church has played an active part in many community activities. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1882, this congregation first met in the town's Presbyterian church and baptized its members in a cotton-gin pond north of town before erecting its own building in 1886 and adding the town's first baptistry in 1891—offered freely to other area churches. A parsonage was bought on Pecan Street in the 1920s, and over the years the church became a training ground for many student pastors from Texas Christian University.
Why it matters
The church's long tie to training TCU student ministers shows how small-town congregations quietly shaped the leadership of an entire denomination across Texas.
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Themes & tags
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