First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville
Huntsville, Walker County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Organized by the Presbytery of the Brazos in June 1848, the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville began with one elder and ten members. Early worship services were held in the county courthouse, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the chapel of Austin College. Property at the corner of Thirteenth Street and Avenue K was purchased in 1855, and the congregation's first sanctuary was erected that year under the leadership of The Rev. Daniel Baker. It continued to serve the congregation until a larger structure was built in 1898-1899. The growth of this church has paralleled the growth and development of Huntsville. Many of the city's civic leaders have been active in the congregation, which has also ministered to area college students through the years. Land at this site was purchased in 1955, and a sanctuary was completed the following year. An educational wing was soon added to fill the needs of the growing Sunday School, and a new sanctuary was built in 1974-75. Throughout its history, the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville has maintained an active outreach program to its community.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Organized in 1848 with a single elder and ten members, this congregation first worshiped in the county courthouse and the chapel of Austin College before building its own sanctuary in 1855 under the Rev. Daniel Baker. Its growth mirrored Huntsville's own, drawing in many of the town's civic leaders and long ministering to area college students. Successive sanctuaries in 1898, 1956, and 1974-75 mark its endurance.
Why it matters
One of the oldest congregations in the region, it shows how frontier churches and colleges grew up together to anchor a young Texas community.
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Related people
- · Rev. Daniel Baker
Themes & tags
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