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Artifacts of First Presbyterian Church
WORSHIP
1900 Moeller tracker-action pipe organ.
Organ music has been an important part of First Presbyterian Church from the very beginning. The original instrument at First Church was a harmonium that lasted until about 1857. A five octave melodia was then purchased for $300 from George A. Prince of Buffalo, New York. One picture of the church in 1897 shows an organ with several ranks of pipes, both wood and metal, in the chancel area of the church which could be the melodia organ.
In October of 1899, the purchase of a fine pipe organ was approved by Session at a cost of $2500. As part of the agreement, the old melodia organ was sold for $300 to the organ builder, the Möller Organ Company of Hagerstown, Maryland.
Built for the church's 50th anniversary, Opus 263 was installed sometime early in 1900. The first of two inaugural concerts on the instrument was Friday, March 16th, 1900 by the famed organist Clarence Eddy. A total of $69.52 was raised from the Eddy recital and added to the organ fund, along with other donations and concert offerings. Among the donors of the day were the Brackenridges, L. T. Scarborough, Laura Driskoll and concerts by the Blind Pupils and resident organist David Grove. The First Church Ladies Aid Society gave the largest donation, a $1015 gift, which was quite a sum in 1900!
In worship, the organ was dedicated on Sunday, March 18, 1900, with a music sermon by Pastor Rev. Wright and later published by the Organ Fund Committee at the request of the choir.
"We might add, that this particular organ's antiquity was brought to the fore recently, when in its renovation, many old newspapers that had been used as glue-battens in the original installation were withdrawn from its innards. Those old news sheets headlined the Boer War and carried advertisements about the sale of 'high class' women's shoes, 75 cents per pair, and 'choice' beefsteak, 15 cents per pound!
Hofmann has since noted that another newspaper found in the organ proclaimed “Dewey Takes Manila”.
Additions and revoicing in 1959 & 1978.
(Click here for a complete history)
Excerpts from a compilation by Scott McNulty, SP, CAGO, and an honorary member of FPC HS Society, 2003.
Processional Cross - designed and made by C. D. Weaver.
Harpsichord - given in honor of Jonelle Thornsberry Jordan, a ruling Elder and Sunday School teacher by Bryce Jordan, her husband.
Grand Piano given in honor of Grace Swanson by Bob Swanson and family.
Memorial Windows (left to right).
- Angel – in memory of Evelyn Bell.
- Ruth – in memory of Annie Armour.
- Lilies – in memory of Lucinda Raymond.
- Creation - image identified by Rev. Phil Petty of Edinburgh, Scotland
- Christ Praying – in memory of Thomas H. Andrews
- Ascension – in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Spence
- Behold – in memory of R. H. and Mary Peck
| Parament on the pulpit and the Bible on display in the chancel area, gifts from Greyfriars Parish, our sister church in Lanark, Scotland (not always on display). |  |
| Chancel Chairs from the 1890 building. Needlepoint work by Ruth and Robert Bostwick. |  |
| Candelabras, Cross, and Flower Stand all made by Wide Lacy, whose membership began in 1977. |  |
| Large banner depicting the Cote de Arms of the apostles usually hanging in the rear of the Sanctuary. (not always hanging) |  |
COMMUNION & BAPTISM
Communion Chalice Presented by The Memorial Fund for the 40th Anniversary First Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX (Used at 11am Communion Service)
Communion Flagon Presented to The First Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX by A. W. Cleland, Jr., 1881. (Used at 11am Communion Service)
Baptismal Clay Pitcher and Bowl and Clay Communion elements (not on display) designed and made by Ruth Calhoun.
CAMPUS
 Texas Historical Marker at the foot of the main steps into the Sanctuary. (Note: Texas Historical Marker at 7th & Lavaca marking the original site of FPC) |
Cornerstone of 1890 (7th & Lavaca) church. |
The Memorial Garden The garden highlights a Celtic Cross, in memory of our Presbyterian heritage, in the heart of which is a symbolization of the placard that was placed over Christ’s head on the cross (Jn.19:19). JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS Of particular significance is that this was chiseled from the center of a keystone from the 1890 7th & Lavaca church. |
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The garden benches:
- In honor of Robert & Rosie Bruce, O.L. & Margie Kimbrough, Stella Cornett and Juanita Cornelsen -–the bench facing the fountain.
- In memory of parents and grandparents of the Rev. Dr. Donald Wesley Howard, Jr., by Naomi Holt – the bench west of stairs.
- In honor of Sybil Evans by Bill & Stephanie Whitehurst – the bench east of the stairs.
 Jane Van Auken Memorial Fountain and Ossuary |
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 The sculpture, REJOICE, based on Psalm 33, was created by Nancy Cardozier to honor the loved ones of First Presbyterian Church! Nancy is a member of FPC. |
Bronze Relief Bust of Rev. Wright (To be mounted shortly)
Corinthian pillars capitals, and other stones from the 1890 building.
Labrynth - built and donated by Boy Scout Troop #1
Sculpture “The Prodical Son” by Nancy Cardozier. Given in commemoration of FPC sesquicentennial, in renovation project
HOUSES |
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 Chancel Cross from the Jackson Avenue location. Given by Blessing Box of EWPW. (to be installed) |
Long Table now in foyer 8001 Mesa gift of Mrs C C Comer 1962
Historical Wall Clock from the 1890 building.
1912 WFG Clock presented to First Presbyterian Church by Harris, Marshall, Berkley, and Douglas Bell, children of Mr. and Mrs. William Bell, December 1912.
Wm. F. Gilbert Jewelers’ Regulator 8 Day Clock. Wall mount, six-foot height, a Master’s Time Piece. Used by jewelers to regulate watches, etc. Jewelers’ 12” second sweep hand essential. Twelve-inch hand painted porcelain dial.
Dead-Beat Escapement, a very precise and accurate way to allow the power to ‘escape’ to the hands of the clock. It is also very efficient. Invented by the Englishman, George Graham, in 1715, a Master. It required a Master to make this escapement.
One-meter pendulum, one second, each sweep. In England, called a Royal pendulum. This permits the second hand to rest precisely on each second.
Winding a ‘maintaining power mechanism’, an ingenious solution that doesn’t interrupt power when winding, thereby maintaining accurate time when winding.
Weight driven; which is more accurate than spring driven, providing constant and even power. Weight held by a front-to-rear sprocket winding, thereby moving weight far from the pendulum at full length. This reduces air interruption with pendulum.
Case is solid cherry. Door latch uses winding key. Original cost estimated at $25-30. Valued today at $2,500-3000.
Restoration by Richard Johnson, Wide Lacy, Dale Stahlhut (a neighbor), Bob Swanson, Herman Thun and Bruce Woolcott. Clock facts by Dale Stahlhut.
Chandelier from the 1890 church at 7th and Lavaca. Chandeliers given by Mrs. Karl Wagner in 1952 in memory of Karl Wagner.
“Grace” From a photograph taken by Elva Price’s father, Eric Enstrom, and donated by Elva Price.
Lectern Bibles
The oldest, printed in 1841, in London, is in the Welsh language. The title page and current translations are reproduced inside. The page containing 2 Tim. iii 16,17 is reproduced on the rear cover. Source unknown. .
First Pulpit Bible purchased by church
The memorial Bible, was printed in 1884, by the N.Y. American Bible Society, and given by Mrs. M.A. Taylor in 1890. Used in services of the then new Church at 7th & Lavaca, Austin. This Bible has been restored and placed in an archival sleeve.
The latest Bible was printed in 1937 by the American Bible Society and appears to be the Bible used as the 1890 Bible developed signs of wear, at 7th & Lavaca, and later at Jackson Avenue. It is of adequate and good quality. Presented in honor of Abraham Harrison Swanson
A new Bible was given to the church by our sister church in Lanark, Scotland and is kept in the altar area in the Sanctuary. This Lectern Bible was presented to FPC by Greyfriars church in Lanark, Scotland, our sister church, in June 1996. It originally was used in St. Kentigems church.
It was gifted to St. Kentigems Church, Lanark, Scotland, by the Sunday School in June 1972,occasioned by the church’s redecoration.
St. Kentigems is located just up the way from Greyfriars and was united/joined with Greyfriars.
It has now been renovated inside with offices, while maintaining the historic exterior.
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Pictures of first Two FPC lady Elders Miss Fanny Andrews & Mrs. Laten (Christy Kniffen) Stanberry |
Pictures of Rev. Wright and Evelyn Bell Wright. Rev. Wright. Pastor from 1870 to 1908 during the dark days of the Civil War and honored by the vets of the north and south. Evelyn Bell Wright, daughter of James H. Bell & is the namesake of the EWPW. |
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| Pew #72 from the 1890 church, and in the Windows in the archive center are recent vases given by Pat Novak containing four colors of plants. The colors represent the church Liturgical Calendar. Also above the windows are two Sconces from the 7th and Lavaca church. |  |
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1st Communion set given by Fanny Spence, sister of John Spence maker of the Walnut Communion Table, and her Bible! |
7th and Lavaca Centennial Commemorative Plate.
Black Walnut Communion Table, handmade in 1854 by John S. Spence, who was received into membership at the 1st Session meeting in 1850. Candelabras given by Doris Sherman in memory of her husband, Arthur Burke Sherman. |
Pulpit The pulpit was presented together with the Communion Table now used in the foyer. It was used at 7th and Lavaca for 51 years, and at Jackson Avenue for 18 years. It bears signs of use! Note the hand wear-stains at the corners of the speaker’s side, and water stains from flower vases on the center front. It has a very interesting working feature. The literature platform raises and lowers with a wooden handle located in the rear of the case to accommodate the height of the speaker. We have installed casters in the base to permit its being moved, so it can be used on occasion in the Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, or elsewhere. This pulpit from 7th and Lavaca was a favorite of Jane Van Auken and probably Catherine Collins because of its adjustable height. |
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Small Chandelier hanging above table in the Library. Larger version in stairwells of Rissman hall.
Hand Carved Book Cases given by Mr. & Mrs. Harris Bell in 1953, inherited from his family.
Time Capsule located on the top library shelf to the right of the Pulpit as a part of the sesquicentennial celebration of 2000 to be opened for our second Century of Outreach celebration in 2050.
Praying Hands left of the time capsule. Desk piece of Pastor James Mahon.
Communion Table Presented by Mr. & Mrs. William G. Bell and Mrs. William H. Bell to First Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas. September, 1909. |
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 Window depicting “Christ with the Lambs”. |
Window depicting “Sermon on the Mount”.
 Christ and Children Window in memory of Lettie Gilfillan |
Gavel & Block made from a red cedar log of the schoolhouse in which Brazos Presbytery was organized in 1840.
Picture of Walnut Communion Table and other artifacts displayed on the first centennial, 1950.
Lamp from the 7th and Lavaca Chandeliers.
Scout Hut Contract
Brazos wood from school building of the early Presbytery.
Second Communion Set given by Anna M. Cochron.
DEACONS BENCH
STEWARDSHIP CONTRIBUTION BOX
James Guyton recalls that when he arrived at FPC (then at its former home on Jackson Avenue) in 1964, he noticed a small, finely-crafted wooden box located in the church’s entry foyer. The box served as a receptacle for building fund contributions. In 1978, as the church staff boxed up its belongings for FPC’s move to its present home on Mesa, James noticed the box in a stack of items to be discarded and took it home. As we began organizing the church’s many artifacts in 1996, Jare Smith recalled the box and wondered what became of it. James remembered the box, and ultimately found it among stored items at his home. Today the box is on display in the Archive center and is occasionally used as a receptacle for contributions to the Society. Thanks for the memories of James and Jare!
The "Contributions Stewardship Box" was first used for our yearly pledges. The pledges were placed in the locked box and were not opened but returned to the pledgee at the end of the year. As I remember, there was always enough to meet the year's expenses. I think this occurred during the latter years of Bill Caldwell's ministry, but I'm not CERTAIN. A comment from Gwen Scott.
Field stone tiles from tower area at 7th & Lavaca.
MEMORIALS (to be added)
REGOGNITIONS (to be added)
OTHER ARTIFACTS
SESSION MINUTES AND ROLLS starting from 1850.
FILES OF LETTERS, NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, PICTURES, SCRAP BOOKS
PREVIOUS DIRECTORIES, NEWSLETTERS, ETC.
EARLY TIN BOX STORAGE BOXES
CALENDAR OR MAY 1950
EVENT FILE
INVENTORIES
OTHER