First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall
Rockwall, Rockwall County, Texas
Marker Inscription
On November 7, 1854, a small group of Presbyterians led by the Rev. John U. Vance gathered together to organize the Rockwall Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Beginning with twenty-three charter members, the congregation met in schools and other church facilities for the first thirty-three years. In 1887 a building committee was formed under the leadership of the Rev. S.M. Templeton, and property at the present corner of Munson and Fannin streets was purchased. A small frame sanctuary was built in 1888, only to be destroyed by a windstorm three months after its completion. It was soon rebuilt, however, and served the congregation until another church building was constructed on the town square in 1928. That structure was replayed by a new sanctuary at this site in 1980. Throughout its history, this church has served the community by offering its facilities for outreach programs such as well baby clinics, elementary school tutoring, summer library reading programs, and a food and clothing pantry for the needy. Following the reunion of the Presbyterian denomination in 1983, the name of this congregation was changed to First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall. (1989)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
On a November day in 1854, twenty-three settlers led by the Rev. John U. Vance organized a Cumberland Presbyterian congregation on the North Texas frontier. Worshipping in schools for its first decades, the church raised a frame sanctuary in 1888 only to lose it to a windstorm months later; rebuilt and moved more than once since, it has long opened its doors to baby clinics, tutoring, reading programs, and a pantry for the needy.
Why it matters
The congregation traces the growth of a frontier settlement into a community anchored by faith and neighborly service.
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Related people
- · Rev. John U. Vance
- · Rev. S. M. Templeton
Themes & tags
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