Westminster Presbyterian Church

The congregation's roots run through the Cumberland Presbyterians. A Nacogdoches tourism page on the church's 125th anniversary says Richard Overton Watkins became the first Protestant minister ordained on Texas soil in 1840, and that the Cumberland Presbyterian Synod of Texas was established in Nacogdoches in 1843. It says the church joined the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 1907, when the Cumberland body merged with it. The page credits architect Shirley Simons with the 1930 building at 903 North Street, on the former homestead of Juan Antonio Padilla, and calls the church a designated Texas Historic Landmark.

What the plaque says

Westminster Presbyterian Church Presbyterians have long played an important role in Nacogdoches; the earliest Presbyterian influence here dates to the 1830s, with several churches organizing later in the century. In 1893, Rev. B. A. Hodges and twelve founding members established Main Street Presbyterian Church under the Cumberland denomination's Presbytery of Texas. Around 1900, the church constructed a wood frame building on Main Street designed by noted Nacogdoches architect D. A. W. Rulfs. After outgrowing the structure, the church completed a sanctuary and manse in 1930 at the corner of North and Powers streets and became known as Westminster Presbyterian Church. The congregation added Westminster Fellowship Hall in 1965 and an educational building in 1998. Westminster Presbyterian Church has a rich history of helping those in need. During World War I the church led Nacogdoches County's War Savings Stamps campaign, and in the 1920s worked with local Boy Scouts and with students at Stephen F. Austin State teacher's College (now Stephen F. Austin State University). The congregation helped found the Head Start program in Nacogdoches. Other ministries of included a Senior Citizen Nutrition Center, Telephone Reassurance Program, Samaritan Counseling Center, Habitat for Humanity and Love Inc. congregation has also stressed music ministry, both in worship and in the community. Today, more than 100 years after its founding, Westminster Presbyterian Church continues to play a vital role as a spiritual and community leader in Nacogdoches. (2009)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Site of the Home of Juan Antonio Padilla — steps away
• Site of the Mission Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe — steps away
• Site of the Home of Charles S. Taylor — 0.2 mi
• Nacogdoches University — 0.3 mi