Organization of First Protestant Worship in Austin
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The city of Austin, Republic of Texas, was founded in 1839. Among its first settlers were Richard Bullock and James Burke, former elders of Presbyterian churches in the United States. That Autumn, at a time when no protestant church had yet been established in Austin, the Rev. William Youel Allen (1805-85) came from Houston to visit in Bullock's hotel, at this site. On Oct. 13, 1839, in the hotel, he preached and organized a Presbyterian congregation. There were six members, with Bullock and Burke as the ruling elders.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When Austin was founded as the Republic of Texas capital in 1839, no Protestant church yet existed in the raw new town. That autumn the Rev. William Youel Allen rode over from Houston and, on October 13, 1839, preached in Richard Bullock's hotel and organized a Presbyterian congregation of six members. Bullock and James Burke, both former church elders, served as its first ruling elders.
Why it matters
The gathering marks the first organized Protestant worship in what would become the Texas capital, a small beginning for the city's religious life.
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Related people
- · William Youel Allen
- · Richard Bullock
- · James Burke
Themes & tags
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