First Presbyterian Church of Houston

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. The 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. (1970) (see other side) Founding members: A.B. Shelby, Marian Shelby, J. Wilson Copes, James Bailey, James Burke, Sarah Woodward, Isabella R. Parker, Edwin Belden, Harris G. Avery, Sophia B. Hodge, Jannet Scott. Pastors: J.W. Miller, 1844-50. L.S. Gibson, 1850-51. A.Fairbairn, 1852-53. J. Twitchell, 1855-56. R.H. Byers, 1857-59. T. Castleton, 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 is a historical marker in Houston, Harris County, dedicated in 1970. It is one of 422 historical markers documented in Harris County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 849 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.7163, -95.3974 near Houston. The nearest cataloged historic site is Autry House (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Rice University, Rice University, and Michael E. DeBakey Library and Museum.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5201010661. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.