Bridgeport in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport
Photographed By James Hulse, June 6, 2022
1. First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport Marker
Inscription.
First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport. . In 1893, the Rock Island Railroad established a line close to Bridgeport on the banks of the West Fork of the Trinity River and soon the town began to grow. In 1895, the family of J.A. Weakley moved from Decatur to Bridgeport and as charter members of other Presbyterian churches in the area, decided to start a Presbyterian church in Bridgeport. After meeting in a school for several years, the twelve charter members officially organized on April 1, 1898. In September of 1898, the Bridgeport town company sold two lots to the church for $1. The first church building, a dignified Carpenter Gothic structure, was completed at the conclusion of 1898. The church would reside in several buildings over the years: the original 1898 structure, a second structure built in 1960, and a rebuild of the second structure after a fire in 1974., Opportunities for women to organize within the church began almost immediately and included the Women's Auxiliary in 1899 and the Women's Missionary Union in 1901 (later called the Presbyterial Auxiliary of Fort Worth Presbytery). Martha Green Weakley, one of the first leaders of both organizations and a charter member of the church, traveled the area delivering speeches on Christian education and methods of organization. Descendants of the charter members, William Montford and Jane Holden Montford of Ireland, have held continuous membership in the church to this date. In the 1960s, the church began to share services and programs with other denominations in Bridgeport, such as youth, community, and educational activities. For more than a century, the church has been a beacon of light in the community.
175 Years of Texas Independence 1836-2011.
In 1893, the Rock Island Railroad established a line close to Bridgeport on the banks of the West Fork of the Trinity River and soon the town began to grow. In 1895, the family of J.A. Weakley moved from Decatur to Bridgeport and as charter members of other Presbyterian churches in the area, decided to start a Presbyterian church in Bridgeport. After meeting in a school for several years, the twelve charter members officially organized on April 1, 1898. In September of 1898, the Bridgeport town company sold two lots to the church for $1. The first church building, a dignified Carpenter Gothic structure, was completed at the conclusion of 1898. The church would reside in several buildings over the years: the original 1898 structure, a second structure built in 1960, and a rebuild of the second structure after a fire in 1974.
Opportunities for women to organize within the church began almost immediately and included the Women's Auxiliary in 1899 and the Women's Missionary Union in 1901 (later called the Presbyterial Auxiliary of Fort Worth Presbytery). Martha Green Weakley, one of the first leaders of both organizations and a charter member of the church, traveled the area delivering speeches on Christian education and methods of organization. Descendants of the charter members, William Montford and Jane Holden Montford of Ireland,
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have held continuous membership in the church to this date. In the 1960s, the church began to share services and programs with other denominations in Bridgeport, such as youth, community, and educational activities. For more than a century, the church has been a beacon of light in the community.
175 Years of Texas Independence 1836-2011
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16811.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 1898.
Location. 33° 13.148′ N, 97° 45.206′ W. Marker is in Bridgeport, Texas, in Wise County. Marker is at the intersection of Newby Avenue and Lawdwin Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Newby Avenue. The marker is located on the left side of the entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1307 Newby Avenue, Bridgeport TX 76426, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. The view of the First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport and Marker from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 527 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.