Collegeport in Matagorda County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport
The town of Collegeport, on Tres Palacios Bay in Matagorda County, was planned by the Burton D. Hurd Land Company as a promotional scheme for selling the lands of J.E. and A.B. Pierce. The company provided land for a townsite and the creation of the Gulf Coast University of Industrial Arts.
In November of 1909 community leaders joined together at the University's Chapel to discuss the creation of Collegeport Federated Church. Representing fourteen denominations, the congregations early mission was to unify the community and support a common church for all citizens. Murray A. Travis was called as the first pastor of the church.
Pastor Travis had moved to Collegeport in 1909 from Canada to join his brother William H. Travis, and help with the development of university programs as dean. In addition to his university duties, Pastor Travis also ran the Collegeport Chronicle, one of the area's first newspapers.
In 1910 the congregation began work on their first sanctuary building at an estimated cost of $2,000. The five-room building was opened for services on November 27, 1910. Among the charter members who signed the first register were persons of Baptist, Methodist, Union, Universal, and Presbyterian backgrounds.
For many years the church doubled as a schoolhouse and community center. In 1922 the congregation unanimously passed a resolution to join the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., and became the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport. The congregation continued to use the 1910 sanctuary until 1955 when new facilities were built using materials and furnishings from the original church.
Erected 1999 by Texad Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12062.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1909.
Location. 28° 43.466′ N, 96° 10.719′ W. Marker is in Collegeport, Texas, in Matagorda County. Marker is at the intersection of Williams Drive and Central Street (Farm to Market Road 1095), on the right when traveling south on Williams Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Williams Drive, Collegeport TX 77428, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Collegeport (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pilkington Slough Ranch (approx. 1˝ miles away); Palacios Preparatory School (approx. 2.4 miles away); Lions Pier (approx. 2.4 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Palacios (approx. 2˝ miles away); First Baptist Church of Palacios (approx. 2˝ miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Palacios (approx. 2.6 miles away); Texas Baptist Encampment Grounds (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Collegeport.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.