First United Presbyterian Church of Athens

The Dallas Morning News reported on May 16, 1905, that the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Athens had held a fiftieth-anniversary service. It was organized in May 1855 by the Rev. Robert Hodge, father of Dr. J. C. Hodge, with nine members, five men and four women. Only one charter member, a Mr. Hinds of near Chandler, was still living, and Mrs. Lucy Neff alone stood when asked who had been there at the start. The church had had eighteen pastors. A 1965 Athens Weekly Review history says the 1910 building cost $30,000 and a women's annex followed in 1921.

What the plaque says

First United Presbyterian Church of Athens The Rev. Robert H. Hodge (1805-1866), a native of Tennessee, immigrated in 1850 to Anderson County, Texas. After two years he came to Henderson County. He began Science Hill Academy (15 mi. S), the only classical high school in the area during that time. The Rev. Hodge organized "The Cumberland Presbyterian Church" in 1855 with nine charter members. He selected Athens for its central location in the county. The fellowship met first in the log courthouse on the south side of the square. The Masonic Lodge, 319 South Palestine, served as a meeting place. The Baptist Church, 301 S. Prairieville, was also used for worship. The first structure owned by the congregation was at 305 E. Corsicana. John M. McDonald in 1881 donated the church house. The first church bell was given by the merchants of New Orleans, Louisiana; and St. Louis, Missouri. Merchants donated the first organ. In 1907 the congregation united with the northern church and the name changed to "The First Presbyterian Church". The present structure was completed in 1910 and in 1948 the educational facility was dedicated. The Pilcher pipe organ and chimes and the carillon were memorial gifts. After another merger in 1958, the name become "First United Presbyterian Church". (1979)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center — 5.2 mi
  A Texas Parks and Wildlife hatchery and visitor center in Athens where visitors can borrow tackle and fish a stocked pond, watch native species in gallery tanks and ride a tram around the hatchery.
• Purtis Creek State Park — 13 mi
  A 1,582-acre park straddling the Henderson and Van Zandt county line, built around a 355-acre lake with no-wake fishing, borrowed tackle, a 4.1-mile hike-and-bike trail and a nature path.

More markers nearby

• Jess Sweeten — 0.2 mi
• Bruce Field — 0.2 mi
• Courts Under the Oaks — 0.2 mi
• Dulcinea Ann Holland Thompson Avriett — 0.4 mi