A Little History
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7 (NIV)
The genesis of Central Presbyterian Church was hammered together on the endless prairie of North Central Texas in 1853 when the Reverend B. Malloy climbed out of his buggy on the outskirts of an agricultural community known as Waxahachie, and organized the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with twelve charter members.
For the next sixteen years, his congregation gathered to worship in a school house, then in the Methodist Church, moving at last into its own frame sanctuary at the Northeast corner of Main and Elm Streets. There was little lumber on the prairie, and boards had to be hauled by ox cart from East Texas. The Baptists shared in the cost of the building, but later sold their one-third interest to the Presbyterians.
The church had many pastors to fill the pulpit until 1892 (See table below). On February 2, 1892, the Session considered the possibility of exchanging the lot on Main Street for the present lot at the corner of College and Oldham Avenue. By March 5, 1892, the lots had been exchanged and $2,000 had been raised to pay for the removal of the church building and for a parsonage. The first meeting in the church’s new location was held on July 23, 1892.
By 1893, plans were under way to try to move Trinity University from Tehaucana to Waxahachie. In 1901, that move came to fruition. Students overflowed the sanctuary. By October, 1903, the church members realized that their building was inadequate to accommodate the increase in Sunday School and church attendance. On October 14, 1903, plans were adopted for the new building and construction was to begin quickly. During the building period, the congregation held its services in the auditorium of City Hall. The new church building was dedicated on April 1, 1905, with a cost of $18,446.10. The pipe organ was purchased by the Young Ladies Auxiliary at a cost of $1,500.
In 1905, the union of two national Presbyterian denominations–the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, was consummated under the name of the latter, the original Presbyterian church in America. This union necessitated a change in the name of the local church and, henceforth, it was known as the Central Presbyterian Church of Waxahachie, Texas.
In 1918-19, the members of Central Presbyterian church had again outgrown our building and to keep pace with the progress of Waxahachie and Trinity University, a new structure was begun. The building constructed in 1905 was razed and another built on the same lot. This building was constructed of oriental brick trimmed in white stone, with a seating capacity of approximately one thousand. The cost of the building and furnishings was $112,522, of which Mr. P. A. Chapman gave about $70,000. Mr. and Mrs. Homer Chapman gave the pipe organ, which is an Austin Opus 809.The congregation raised the staggering sum of $112,500 and constructed the grand, beautiful brick church that stands today.
The building was first used on Easter of 1919 with the Reverend G. H. Hogan, D.D. serving as minister. The service of dedication was held May 9, 1920. The dedication sermon was given by Dr. James E. Clarke, of Nashville, Tennessee, editor of The Presbyterian Advance. Then a pipe organ recital was given in the afternoon by John Bert Graham, Sr. A sacred Cantata was presented in the evening.
The church property was incorporated June 12, 1929, with Mr. J. T. Andrews, Mr. R. S. Middleton, and Mr. N. M. Jones serving as Trustees. In the 1920’s, we reached our height of membership with 751 on the role in 1928. The church was filled with students and faculty of Trinity University, many of whom assisted in our Sunday School classrooms and teaching positions. We continued our mission relationship with Trinity until its move to San Antonio, Texas, in 1942. Unfortunately, the church suffered a great loss in the removal of Trinity University.
By 1948, many improvements were made to the church building, both inside and outside. The primary improvement was the Patrick Memorial Chapel, which was formerly the Philathea class room. The chapel, complete with altar, chancel rail, lectern, and pews was a gift of Miss Emma Patrick in memory of her mother and father, Captain and Mrs. M. T. Patrick. Captain Patrick was the chairman of the building committee that constructed the first church on this site. Through the years, many more improvements have been made to the church. It is a beautiful structure with magnificent stained glass windows for all to enjoy.
September, 1960 brought the United Presbyterian Homes (Presbyterian Children’s Services) to Waxahachie. This was a great community to enter into service to young people again. Our relationship has continued to grow. In 1990, CPC entered into a joint mission with Presbyterian Children's Services with the Bridge House, a place where soon-to-be graduates could prepare to transition to living independently. This function later moved from the church property to the Presbyterian Children's Home and Services(PCHAS) campus. Our walls echo with young voices of today as our church reaps the reward with our relationship with PCHAS.
In 1997, Central Presbyterian Church initiated “Bethlehem Revisited”. The event is a full representation of life in Bethlehem when Christ was born. It includes replications of homes, shops and other facilities authentic to the time period. Costumed characters act out the roles of merchants, clergy, soldiers and other inhabitants. Camels, donkeys, goats and other animals are part of the event. "Bethlehem" takes place on the church grounds.
Today it is a community project with several churches, businesses, organizations and individuals contributing. Bethlehem Revisited has become one of the major tourist events during the Christmas season and is a wonderful way to remind us that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.
Our congregation has historically offered many enriching groups in which to participate:
- Music: the Chancel and Children’s Choirs, The Jubilate Ringers (adult handbell/chime Choir) which scheduled its first musical presentation for the 140 Year Celebration in 1993. Since that time, two new groups of handbell ringers have been formed: The Jubilance Ringers, a youth handbell/chime choir, and the Joyful Ringers, a beginner youth group.
- Bible Study/Fellowship: Presbyterian Women, Over “40”, Men’s Council, Laura Sue Plummer and Morning Circles for women, Men's Breakfast Council
- Youth: Former youth groups such as Teens for Christ, Westminster Fellowship, and our current youth group, Same Difference Youth Group.
Please explore the web site to see how we are reaching out today, growing as disciples of Jesus Christ, and praising God who has made this all possible!
Ministers and Years Served
Ministers |
Years Served |
Reverend D. G. Molloy |
1853 - 1861 |
Reverend W. G. L. Quaite |
1864 - 1868 |
Reverend N. Givens |
1868 - 1873 |
Reverend Thomas B. Criddle |
1873 - 1878 |
Reverend Rushing |
1880 or 1881 |
Reverend D. R. Grafton |
1882 - 1884 |
Reverend L. C. Taylor |
1885 - 1888 |
Reverend R. W. Lewis D.D. |
1888 -1890 |
Reverend W. H. Berry |
April-November, 1891 |
Reverend G. W. Glenn |
1892 - February 1 |
Reverend G. W. Glover |
1892 - 1893 |
Reverend H. T. Smith |
July 1893 - September 1893 |
Reverend W. C. Wheat |
1893 - 1895 |
Reverend D. B. Cockrell D.D. |
Supply until 1898 |
Reverend J. C. Smith |
1898 - 1906 |
Reverend G. H. Hogan D.D. |
1906 - 1936 |
Reverend Herman G. McCoy |
1936 - 1940 |
Reverend F. Homer Tegler D.D. |
February 1941 - February 1944 and September 1946-December 1947 |
Reverend Earl C. Morgan D.D. |
1944 - 1946 |
Reverend Donald Y. Swain |
July 1948 - October 1959 |
Reverend Joe David Ruffin |
March 1960 – May 1962 |
Reverend Everett B. King, D.D. |
Supply May 1962 – Aug. 1962 |
Reverend Claud M. Cluney |
August 1962 – August 1968 |
Reverend Everett B. King, D.D. |
Supply Sept. 1968 – Feb. 1969 |
Reverend John H. McCord |
February 1969 – June 30, 1985 |
Reverend David V. Pittenger |
Interim Sept. 1985 – Sept. 1986 |
Reverend William S. Caldwell |
Interim Nov. 1986 – May 1988 |
Reverend Dr. Richard Hollingsworth |
June 1988 – Sept. 1993 |
Reverend Dick Braun |
Interim January 1994-December 1994 |
| Reverend Dr. Jack Willers | Supply April 1995-September 1995 |
Reverend Victor Dindot |
October 1995 - April 2006 |
Reverend Kathy Forschner |
Interim September 2006 – 2008 |
Reverend Anna K. Whitehead |
September 2008 - October 2011 |
| Reverend Jan Dittmar | Interim November 2011-present |