First Presbyterian Church of Crockett

Rev. S. F. Tenney's own history says the church's first building was used during the Civil War as barracks for Confederate soldiers and was nearly sold for debt before being saved in 1870. It was still standing in 1904 as one of the Mary Allen Seminary buildings. When Tenney took charge in January 1871 the roll held forty-five members; over the next thirty-three years 397 more were added. Sixteen other Presbyterian churches were organized in the county, mainly through this one, and fifteen remained. Concord grew from Tenney's preaching at the house of elder S. M. Thompson.

What the plaque says

First Presbyterian Church of Crockett This church was established in 1854 by an act of the East Texas Presbytery. The Rev. W.C. Dunlap was organizer of the congregation and served as its pastor for two years. Members met in a Baptist church until the completion of their first building on N. Fourth Street. In 1886 a new building was constructed at this location. It burned on Christmas Day, 1926, and was replaced by the present structure. The church is also known as Tenney Memorial in honor of The Rev. S.F. Tenney who served as pastor for 54 years, 1971-1925. (1980)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Caddo Mounds State Historic Site — 26 mi
  Three earthen mounds of an ancestral Caddo village and ceremonial center on the old El Camino Real, settled about A.D. 800 and still sacred to Caddo people, with a grass house and visitor center.

More markers nearby

• First Methodist Church — steps away
• Site of R. E. McConnell Property — steps away
• First Christian Church of Crockett — 0.2 mi
• Andrew Edwards Gossett — 0.2 mi