First Presbyterian Church of Beeville
Beeville, Bee County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Presbyterians in Beeville began meeting together informally as early as 1885. In 1890-91 the Rev. Henry Ruffner Laird (1842-1925) was sent to officially organize a congregation in Beeville, and this church was begun with twenty-six charter members. A sanctuary was built on the corner of Walton and North St. Mary's streets in 1892, and much surrounding property was acquired by the church in the succeeding years. In 1968 the congregation merged with the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church to form the First Presbyterian Church of Beeville. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Presbyterians in Beeville began meeting informally by 1885, and in 1890–91 the Rev. Henry Ruffner Laird was sent to organize a formal congregation of twenty-six charter members. They raised a sanctuary in 1892 and steadily added to their holdings in the growing South Texas town. In 1968 the congregation joined with Ebenezer Presbyterian Church to become the First Presbyterian Church of Beeville.
Why it matters
The church traces the steady institution-building that turned frontier South Texas settlements into settled communities in the late nineteenth century.
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Related people
- · Rev. Henry Ruffner Laird
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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