History

As one of the eight oldest Presbyterian congregations in Texas, FPC Henderson had its beginnings during the Republic of Texas.  In 1845, Reverend John M. Becton, an “Old School” Presbyterian preacher, frontier missionary, and teacher, established a church on North Main St., in the same block where the Rusk County Courthouse now stands.

In the turbulent times, around the Civil War, American Presbyterians had split the denomination into three branches: The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (northern sentiments), The Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (southern sentiments), and The Cumberland Presbyterian Church on the frontier.  In 1859, the Cumberland Presbyterians organized a church at the corner of West Main and Van Buren St. 

In 1906, this church joined with The Presbyterian Church USA, and became Central Presbyterian Church. By 1948, both First Presbyterian and Central Presbyterian churches had moved from their original locations and occupied sites at North Marshall and at South High.

In 1964, following the trend to merge the national branches of the church, First Presbyterian and Central Presbyterian united at the current South High St. location.  This union combined the wisdom and experience of the three Presbyterian branches into the First Presbyterian Church of Henderson.  The national union of Presbyterians took place in 1983 as The Presbyterian Church (USA). If you want to know more about Presbyterian history, click Here.