A Brief History of the Presbyterian Church
of La Grange, Texas
The La Grange Presbyterian Church was organized on October 30, 1848 by Dr. David Baker, a missionary, and was probably the second church in the village. Members met in the county courthouse until 1853. The first five members were Dr. Barclay Townsend and his wife, Mrs. Leah H. Townsend, Jane R. Townsend, Catherine E. Bell and Hannah Rankin. Dr. Baker recorded that the first Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered to the members on Sunday, September 23, 1849. Also, on that historic day, the first infant was baptized. He was William W. Williams, son of Dr. L. L. Williams and Mrs. Caroline Williams.
In March 1853, the Rev. R. F. Bunting became the first pastor of the La Grange Church and the Presbyterians, Methodist and Baptists shared a church house at 135 East Travis, where the Lauterstein Professional Building is now located. The land had been donated by the G. W. Sinks family and both the land and church house became the property of the Presbyterian Church in 1885 after having purchased the Methodist interest when the Methodist built their own church and the Baptists’ interest was purchased for $200.
It is believed that the original church as the oldest Presbyterian Church in Texas and was built of pine lumber cut at the sawmill of Mr. Rabb from his property. Mr. Rabb had been given several leagues of land by the Republic of Mexico for the colonists who needed lumber. The Fayette County Record printed on September 27, 1930 “it seems to have been splendid lumber that Mr. Rabb furnished the church house, for the building shows few signs of decay after three-quarters of a century of use.” Sixty-five years later this same church building was still a house of worship. In 1953, a new church building was built for the Presbyterian Church and the original building was given to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and moved to a new location on East Guadalupe St. It was torn down some time around 2000 after several years of neglect.
In the early years of the La Grange Presbyterian Church, there were 35 black members who joined with the families for whom they worked. They are listed in the church roles as servants of their employers (in most cases these members were slaves.) After the Civil War, these 35 members asked to be dismissed to the Methodist Church. The Presbyterian Church had in their possession two slave benches which were part of this early church history. They had been located in the balcony of the original church. These benches were sold to 2 church members, one of which was donated to the Fayette Library and Archives and can be seen in the Archives part of their building.
From the Civil War until 1900, the church was almost dormant but in 1900, Thomas Hickling became the pastor, and with only 12 members, the church revived. After 1915 when Matthew Arnold, an Elder, because the minister, the church began to grow.
Mrs. Lad Vanek donated her estate to the church in 1935 and the first manse was constructed at 258 East Crockett Street. The manse was torn down in 1972 and the congregation built the present modern brick structure. It was on a part of this property, on the corner of Crockett and Franklin, that the present Gothic type church was built.
Just before World War II, the boys in Mr. W. S. Robson’s Sunday School class decided that the new sanctuary and educational building was needed. They took up an offering that morning and their $4.85 was the beginning of a building fund. The Rev. Percy Owen, minister from 1952-55, was instrumental in challenging the congregation in this great undertaking. The building committee consisted of J. E. Morgan, Stuart Penick and L. W. Stolz, all now deceased. Work was begun by builder Arthur Pohl on March 23, 1953 and the congregation took possession one year later. The sanctuary with it’s beautiful stained glass windows inspires worship.
During the ministry of Troy Jarvis (1956-64_ the La Grange church became a part of a parish with Elgin, Giddings and Dime Box. Associate pastor, Walter Buehrle served these four churches with Mr. Jarvis. This parish was later dissolved.
The Rev. Frank McElroy served the church longer than any other pastor (1965-83). During his tenure, the congregation reached 200 communing members; the new manse was built; the the first woman elder, Mrs Leon Schmidt, was elected and ordained; the first woman trustee was elected and an active ministerial association was established.
The church welcomed another minister, the Rev. Newton Cox, Jr., who served during the ten year span from 1983-1993. During his tenure, the congregation voted in 1985 to purchase the Holloway property adjoining the church grounds to the south. Currently serving as the site for the Columbarium/Prayer Garden which was built in 2017 and a place for the annual church picnic and various children’s and youth activities, being held for future expansion.
The Session of the church, composed of six elders who are elected by the congregation, plus the pastor, are the governing body of the Presbyterian church. Each elder has a specific responsibility such as Worship, Christian Education, Finance, Building and Grounds, Missions and Congregational Care. The Trustees are responsible for the church property. Worship services are held each Sunday morning at 10:30 am with a Fellowship time prior to the service. A pot luck lunch is held every second Sunday of each month.
Throughout the years, the La Grange Presbyterian Church has played a vital role in the Christian and civic life of the community. Their concern for their neighbors has been demonstrated by their participation in Meals on Wheels, the Good Shepard Fund, Care Inn, Church Women United, Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, Austin State School, AMEN, Second Chance, and Hospice. The church hosts part of the Episcopal preschool program, and a Community Bible Study as well as our Women’s Bible Study.
