Our Church History
In 1906 a group of Presbyterians who desired a church of
their own denomination met in the Methodist church to discuss the possibilities
of a united effort. Some belonged to the old school, some to the Southern
Presbyterian Church, some to the Cumberland division of the church, but all
agreed to unite with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and work together. On
February 24, 1907, the Presbytary of Dallas officially chartered them. The 19
charter members were: Miss Sadie Miller, Mr. And Mrs. Jake Jackson, Mr. And
Mrs. Jim Witherspoon., Mrs. John (Winnie) Hale, Mr. And Ms. C. V. Millar, Ms.
Ruth Millar, Mrs. Bert Horn, Mr. And Mrs. A. T. Horton, Mr. Lee, Mrs. E. E.
Hall, Dr. H. V. Copeland, Hix Jackson, Grover Jackson, and F. M. Harris.
Initially the group met in the Methodist church, which permitted them, the use
of their facilities in the afternoons.
One of the field men of the mission board, Mr. McDowell, came
and perfected the organization and made arrangements for Dallas pastors to
preach to them. Among those who gave their services in the early years were:
Dr. William Anderson, Sr., Dr. Curry, and Dr. Sneed. As the church began to
grow, students from Trinity University served in the pulpit until the Rev. Mr.
W. C. Barber was installed as the first regular pastor in December of 1911. In
the same year the congregation moved from the Methodist Church to a building
built by the Grand Prairie Civic Club in order to be able to hold morning
services. The building had a tin roof and a grass floor, which proved to be too
warm for summer services. The church rented the Woodmen of the World Hall
located at the corner of Jefferson and Center, which is the present site of
Wyatt's Cafeteria.
In 1912 under the leadership of Dr. W. C. Barber, the church
built its first sanctuary at the corner of Center and Dallas Streets. The
membership was still small, but with a donation from the Board of Missions and
hard work it was paid for by the fall of 1989.
Soon the congregation felt the need to expand and plans were
begun for a new sanctuary. Property was purchased at the corner of Northwest
Second and Church Streets and a foundation was dug and poured, but due to the
lack of funds the building was never completed. This lack of funds was due to
the fact that the contractor left town with the money. It wasn't until 1929
that the church was able to rid itself of the debt incurred by this project.
During the years of 1946 and 1947 the church went through a major division and
the Presbytary investigated the pastor. In 1947, the pastor was asked to leave
the church and the church came under the rule of the Presbytery. In 1952, Rev.
R. W. Benton guided the church through a major fund raising project in order to
build the sanctuary, as we know it today. The congregation voted to move to the
corner of S.W. Third street and erect a sanctuary and educational building,
with the sanctuary being a tribute to James Edward Witherspoon and William
Wallace Kerr. The present building was dedicated on December 7, 1952. The old
building at the corner of Dallas and Center was sold. In 1971 a new educational
wing was annexed to the sanctuary completing the present facilities. On October
31, 1976, the church rededicated the sanctuary and consecrated numerous gifts
including stained glass windows, brass Latin cross, paneling, and par aments.
The church burned all the notes outstanding on December 6, 1989 as well as
rededicating the sanctuary and acknowledging the gifts of front doors to the
sanctuary, stained glass windows, carpet, pew cushions, landscaping, and the
addition of the Bride's room.