Does First Presbyterian Church of Dallas look familiar? It may remind you of old Greek temples. This historic congregation stands at 1835 Young Street in Dallas. Welcome to the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas. It is a Dallas Landmark.
Founded in 1856, it is the first U.S. Southern Presbyterian Church in Dallas. Many other Presbyterian churches in the area stemmed from this mother church.
Let’s step back to February 3, 1856. Reverend Robert Hamilton Byers started the church. He supplied ministers for Presbyterian churches in Rusk and Henderson counties. The church began with just eleven members. They lacked a formal place to worship. So they met in homes, a blacksmith shop, a lumber yard, the courthouse, and even a printing shop.
In 1873, the congregation built its first building at Elm and Ervay streets. Later, in 1882, they built their second home at Harwood and Main streets. It was the first brick church in Dallas. By 1897, this building had been enlarged. It was extensively remodeled into a new Victorian eclectic structure.
The present sanctuary opened on March 2, 1913. The Alex Watson Construction Company built it. C. D. Hill & Company, a Dallas architecture firm, designed the Greek Revival edifice. Notice the Corinthian columns at the entrance. These monolithic columns were the first in Dallas. Each column came from Indiana on a separate flatcar.
The exterior walls hold the original pictorial windows of art glass. The Kansas City Stained Glass Works Company prepared these in 1912. The interior has a modified Akron Plan. This plan promotes easy movement between worship and Sunday School. It features a semicircular amphitheater with curved seating. Classrooms are right next to the Sanctuary.
Since its early days, First Presbyterian Church has provided social services. The church started a home for orphaned children. Today, a state historical marker stands in Itasca, Texas. It traces the Presbyterian Children’s Home and Service Agency’s roots back to this church.
Did you know that Children’s Medical Center began here? In 1921, it started as a clinic in the basement of First Presbyterian Church. It was the first free clinic in the Southwest.
In 1975, the congregation began its Stewpot ministry. It serves the homeless and disadvantaged. The Stewpot offers meals and social services. These services include medical and dental clinics. They also provide drug rehab and psychiatric help.
First Presbyterian Church of Dallas has been a foundation in the downtown faith community. The church continues to transform the city. It serves as ministers of reconciliation, peace, and justice. They follow the way of Jesus. Their hope is that healing is generous. Everyone is welcome. The church is not the finish line. It is a starting place to discover the light and love of God.