First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth

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Over 125 Years in Fort Worth: Since 1873

The history of First Presbyterian Church parallels the development of the City of Fort Worth and Texas Christian University. Less than a quarter of a century earlier, the land was virgin forest and prairie. Rarely had a white settler entered the area. In 1848, a military outpost of log and mud buildings was established, overlooking the Trinity River. Manned by a handful of soldiers, it was intended to protect the more settled areas to the East and South. After only four years, the camp was abandoned, and the soldiers moved to another line of Indian Posts further west.

A few of the settlers, who came in with the military garrison, remained in the outpost. The frontier village grew slowly and became the County Seat. The Civil War, however, had a devastating effect on the area, dropping the population from nearly 6,000 to only 1,000. In 1870, Fort Worth had no more than 300 residents, and many of these newcomers consisted of Confederate soldiers and their families, who had decided to make a new start rather than return to their homes in the South. When the cattle drives started coming through, the local economic depression ended. Fort Worth was the last stop for cowboys for provisions before their long trek northward. In 1872 it was announced that the railroad would be built to the city, and Fort Worth truly became a boomtown.

In October of that same year, the Presbytery of Central Texas of the Presbyterian Church US (Southern) named a committee to look into the formation of a new church in Fort Worth. Five to ten Presbyterians had been gathering regularly in a room over Knight's Livery Stable at 3rd and Calhoun Streets. They were organized as the First Presbyterian Church on May 25, 1873.

In 1877, the church called its first pastor, the Reverend W.W. Brim, and in that same year built a small frame structure on Jones Street (pictured at left), between 1st and 2nd Streets.

By 1878, Fort Worth had reached a population of approximately 5,000. The city had developed a reputation not only as a western railhead, but also as a town where all-night saloons and dance halls catered to cowboys and adventurers.

In the summer of 1878, a young man by the name of Stevens, a recent graduate of Trinity University with plans to attend seminary, came through Fort Worth on horseback selling magazine subscriptions. He stayed at the Daniel Hotel and learned of the hopes for a new Cumberland Church. He was invited to stay in Fort Worth and preach to the small congregation, and on September 15, 1878, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth was organized. Young Mr. Stevens immediately went out to the membership and raised $1,500 for the first building to be built at 5th and Taylor Streets (pictured at right). When it moved to this location, it became known as Taylor Street Presbyterian Church. After just over a year in Fort Worth, Mr. Stevens resigned and entered seminary.

Before the turn of the century, these two small Presbyterian congregations were seeking to establish other outposts in the city. In 1883, with less than 175 members of its own, First Presbyterian formed the Broadway Presbyterian Church, later to be renamed St. Stephen Presbyterian Church. Another congregation, Westminster Presbyterian Church, was organized in 1902. The Taylor Street Presbyterian Church organized a new congregation, Hemphill Presbyterian Church, on the southside in 1898.

By 1915, First Presbyterian Church (US) and Taylor Street Presbyterian Church (USA) had a combined membership of nearly 1,000. Plans soon got underway for a merger, and on January 30, 1916, the congregations approved the Articles of Federation for a new church, and became the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth. On May 1, 1919, the First Presbyterian Church (Federated) called James K. Thompson as their first pastor. He served for a quarter of a century. During his pastorate, the congregation grew from 1,100 to 1,500 members.

Dr. Robert F. Jones was called as pastor on September 9, 1944, and served until his retirement in 1979. Membership grew more rapidly in this period than at any other time in the congregation's history. A building committee, under the chairmanship of Dr.C.A. Hickman, found a new building site just west of central downtown, and developed plans for a new church facility for this growing congregation. (The Penn Street location under construction is pictured at left.) On December 23, 1956, the congregation worshipped for the first time in the new sanctuary at 1000 Penn Street. First Presbyterian Church remained from 1916 until 1961, when organic union was permitted between churches of the two denominations. First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth then became the largest Union Church in our Presbyterian family.

In 1973, our Centennial Year, the church hosted the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (US). In 1983, a reunion of the Presbyterian Church (US) and the United Presbyterian Church (USA) in Atlanta, formed the Presbyterian Church (USA).

From 1980-1996, Dr. Robert W. Bohl served as Pastor. He placed major emphasis on corporate worship, mission giving and service/evangelism. In 1994-95 he served as Moderator of the General Assembly.

After the resignation of Dr. Robert W. Bohl in 1996, a nominating committee went to work putting together an interim team of ministers to provide leadership until a permanent Pastor and staff of Associate Ministers could be secured. This team was headed by Senior Interim Pastor John Ed Withers and Associate Interim Pastors John T. Conley and Sandra Kern. Their expertise and guidance during 1997 and 1998 enabled the congregation to move forward during this time of transition.

On Sunday, May 10, 1998, the Pastor Nominating Committee presented the Rev. Dana C. Jones, Jr. to the congregation as its recommendation for Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church, and he was so elected by the congregation. During his years of ministry here, Dana led First Presbyterian Church in a period of membership growth and community outreach, resulting in a New Church Development in Aledo and the revitalization of Hemphill Presbyterian Fellowship. He also led the church in a visioning process that led to a master plan and successful Capital Campaign in spring 2005. Dana concluded his ministry here on July 31, 2005 to accept a call in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

As this dedicated fellowship of Christians celebrates over 125 years in Fort Worth, we look back in appreciation of our heritage, look inward in self-examination, look forward with anticipation and renewal - with gratitude for past ministerial leadership and with high expectations for the new millennium.

The First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, under various names, in several locations, all in central areas of the city, and with a heritage in five Presbyterian denominations, has co-existed with the City of Fort Worth for over 125 years. It has made a significant contribution to the community, with its leaders often the leaders in the community - and to the Presbyterian denomination at large - and looks forward to continuing to take its place of ministry and service in the years ahead.

The facility crowns a bluff above the Trinity River, a man-made testimony to God.