Add an Article Add an Event Edit

Jacksboro Parish

P.O.Box 716
940-567-3735

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) of Jacksboro, Texas was organized September 24, 1876, by the Rev. John Brown.

In June of 1877, a lot was given by Mrs. Lydia Barr as a site for a house of worship. A mortgage dated June 19, 1877, was given to the Presbyterian Board of Church Erection from which funds were obtained to erect a church building of native limestone. Church Street was named for this building. Two additions were made to the church in 1877, but in 1878 16 memberships were received.

About 1908, the church building became unsafe for use, and by 1910 it became necessary to abandon the building. The pulpit, reed organ, pulpit chairs, and some of the pews were saved and are still treasured reminders of the early church.

After the church was abandoned, services were held at the Opera House for a time.

In June 1911, there was much discussion of a new church building and the Session minutes of October 25, 1911, state: " A proposition from the Brethren of the Christian Church extending to us a very cordial invitation to use their church building for 12 months was discussed and accepted

MEMORIAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH

On Sunday morning, November 20, 1881, a small group of citizens of Jacksboro assembled at the Masonic Hall, and organized the Christian Church. It is believed that two lay preachers, D.B. Mizell and Tom Warden, were instrumental in the establishment of this congregation.

The first building was erected on Decatur Street, two blocks from the town square in 1883. Services were held on Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6, 1883.

The church grew through the next two years, and the growth was indeed a series of shocks. Most of the unrest centered over the use of the organ. On November 25, 1879 a great tremor was felt; and when the dust settled, the "non-progressives" were "put out from among us." On the other hand, the results were such the "progressives" were without a building...possessing only an organ.

So, again, the Christian Church sought a house of worship. They began meeting in what was then, the new Court House. The church invited evangelists and traveling preachers to share with them. Some ministered to the congregation for extended periods

Photos