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. 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

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16811.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Religion & Religious Structures • 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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bridgeport Schools (approx. half a mile away); Republic of Texas' Santa Fe Expedition in Wise County (approx.

The front entrance to the First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 6, 2022

2. The front entrance to the First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport and Marker

0.6 miles away); Bridgeport Lodge No. 587, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Baptist Church Bridgeport (approx. 0.7 miles away); Bridgeport Coal Mines (approx. 0.8 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport (approx. 1.1 miles away); Col. William Hudson Hunt (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bridgeport.

The view of the First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 6, 2022

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 1,045 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.