First Christian Church
Palo Pinto, Palo Pinto County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Oldest church building in Palo Pinto, for congregation believed to have been first of any faith worshipping here. Organized 1857 in home of Dr. Stephen S. Taylor, a lay preacher. Members built church in 1882-1883. Despite 1883 storm damage, building has been in continuous use -- sometimes by other faiths during their early years. Addison and Randolph Clark, founders of Texas Christian University, were early pastors. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Palo Pinto's oldest church building serves a congregation believed to be the first of any faith to worship here, organized in 1857 in the home of lay preacher Dr. Stephen S. Taylor. Members raised the sanctuary in 1882–83, and despite storm damage that same year it has stayed in continuous use — sometimes lending its walls to other faiths in their infancy. Among its early pastors were Addison and Randolph Clark, founders of what became Texas Christian University.
Why it matters
A frontier congregation that nurtured the founders of TCU shows how small-town churches seeded lasting institutions of Texas education.
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Related people
- · Stephen S. Taylor
- · Addison Clark
- · Randolph Clark
Themes & tags
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