Houston Museum District in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Presbyterian Church of Houston

Photographed By Jim Evans, November 9, 2012

1. First Presbyterian Church of Houston Marker

Photographed at its original location.

Inscription. Organized March 31 (Easter Sunday), 1839, in Senate Chamber, Capitol of Republic of Texas, Main at Texas, by the Rev. Wm. Youel Allen, missionary from the United States, and eleven members. James Burke was elected ruling elder. Services of worship and a Sunday School (begun on May 13, 1838) continued in Capitol while church building was being erected on site (NW corner, Main and Capitol) given by the Allen family which had founded Houston.

This church was the first house of worship completed in Houston. Dedicated on Feb. 13, 1842, it was used for meeting of other denominations and groups. Here the House of Representatives met in summer of 1842, and President Sam Houston addressed a joint session of Congress. Thus the congregation repaid the Republic's hospitality of 1838-1839.

Original church burned 1862; a brick structure was built in 1867, and served until the erection of a large stone edifice, Main at McKinney, 1894. Fire destroyed part of that building in 1932. The present church was occupied in 1948 and dedicated Sept. 12, 1954. Through the years, this church body has furnished many outstanding leaders to the businesses and professions of state and nation.

Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 10661.)

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1839.

Location. 29° 43.624′ N, 95° 23.334′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in the Houston Museum District. Marker is on South Main Street north of Binz Street, on the right when traveling south. The parking lot this marker was once located in no longer exists. The marker has been relocated across the road into the churchyard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5300 South Main Street, Houston TX 77004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Paul's United Methodist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); W. L. and Susan Clayton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Holland Lodge No. 1 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Maurice Joseph Sullivan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clayton House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Garden Club of Houston (approx. 0.2 miles away); Southend Water Pumping Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); General Sam Houston (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

More about this marker. The parking lot were this marker was originally located in no longer exists. The marker has been relocated across the road into the churchyard.

First Presbyterian Church of Houston Marker Front image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 2, 2018

2. First Presbyterian Church of Houston Marker Front

Photographed after the marker was refinished and moved to its new location.

First Presbyterian Church of Houston Marker Rear image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 2, 2018

3. First Presbyterian Church of Houston Marker Rear

Founding Members: A. B. Shelby • Marian Shelby • J. Wilson Copes • James Bailey • James Burke • Sarah Woodward • Isabella R. Parker • Edwin Belden • Harris G. Avery • Jannett Scott.

Pastors: J. W. Miller, 1844-50 • L. S. Gibson, 1850-51 • A. Fairbairn, 1852-53 • J. Titchell, 1855-56 • R. H. Byers, 1857-59 • T. Castelton, 1860-64 • J. R. Hutchinson, 1864-67 • W. C. Summerville, 1869-70 • S. Frahe, 1870-71 • J. J. Read, 1871-76 • J. H. McNeely, 1877, 79 • E. D. Junkin, 1880, 91 • W. George, 1891, 92 • J. A. LeFevre, 1892-93, W. H. Leavell, 1893-1905 • W. S. Jacobs, 1906-31 • Charles L. King, 1932-61 • John W. Lancaster, 1961-

First Presbyterian Church of Houston image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jim Evans, November 9, 2012

4. First Presbyterian Church of Houston

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 723 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on November 27, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 4. submitted on November 27, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.