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FPC Historical Preservation Society (FPCHPS)

Brief History of First Presbyterian Church

The General Assembly and Presbytery of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sent mission worker, Daniel Baker, to Texas. After a visit to Austin in 1848, Daniel Baker recommended the organization of a Presbyterian congregation in the city. Eventually his son, William H. Baker, newly ordained to the Presbyterian ministry, was inspired to follow his father's travels to Austin and on on May 26, 1850, William organized the First Presbyterian Church.

The Austin church initially met in the first state capitol building. Abner Cook, a charter member of the church and master builder who later built the Texas Governor's mansion, donated land at 7th and Lavaca for the church. The first sanctuary, a frame church, was completed in 1851.

In addition to architect Abner Cook, a prominent figure in the early life of this congregation was Texas Supreme Court Judge James H. Bell. In 1860, he joined First Church with his wife Catherine and their six children. That was the same year he wrote a Texas high court opinion that everyone, slave or free, was equal before the law. His opinion preceded the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America by eight years.

Pastor E.B. Wright served the congregation for 41 years beginning in 1872. He married Evelyn Hunter Bell, the daughter of Judge James and Catherine Bell. The Northerner made friends with traditional enemies following the Civil War. Confederate veterans even honored the former Union soldier.

The frame church was replaced by a stone structure in 1890. The congregation continued to worship at the downtown site until 1960 when they relocated to Jackson Street in north central Austin. It was during this time that church leaders conceived the idea of constructing a retirement residence on a portion of the property. This led to the establishment of Westminster Manor.

After a demographics study, it was determined that the congregation would be best served by relocating to the Northwest part of town where suburban growth was booming. In 1971, Pastor Jim Mahon led the discussion with the Presbyterian Development Board to acquire 4 acres on Mesa Drive for a new building site. The congregation sold the Jackson Avenue property and used the proceeds to build a new church on our donated property.

The church moved to new facilities at the current site on Mesa Drive in 1978. Historic stained glass windows and the original cornerstone from the 1890 stone sanctuary were incorporated into the design of the new building.

The First Presbyterian Church of Austin continues to serve its members and the community with a variety of worship, educational and outreach programs.

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