First Presbyterian Church of Sulphur Springs

When this congregation organized in 1852, Texas Presbyterians were split into Old School and New School branches. In 1861 they joined other Southern Presbyterians in forming the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of America, the Handbook of Texas says, and in 1865 most Texas congregations affiliated with the Southern church while the Old and New School breach was healed. The Southern church and the northern United Presbyterian Church did not merge until 1983, a year after this marker went up, to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

What the plaque says

First Presbyterian Church of Sulphur Springs Organized in 1852, this church had eight members with Samuel Davidson as the ruling elder. A sanctuary erected jointly by this congregation and the Cumberland Presbyterians on Connally Street burned in 1873. The membership constructed a frame building at this site in July 1882. The Rev. J. C. Crow became the first resident pastor in 1886, and W. P. McDonald, clerk of the session, kept the first records in 1887. In 1890 Mrs. Lena Johnson began the Ladies Missionary Society. The present sanctuary was built in 1920, and an educational facility was added in 1981. (1982)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Cooper Lake State Park — 15 mi
  Two units on Jim Chapman Lake, a Corps reservoir proposed in the late 1930s, stalled by a lawsuit until 1984 and dedicated in 1991, with a 10.5-mile equestrian trail and wildlife land around it.

More markers nearby

• General W. H. King — steps away
• City National Bank — steps away
• First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs — steps away
• Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church — 0.2 mi