HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF UVALDE
Compiled by Edith Barnett Huddleston
Some years before it became a reality, Presbyterianism was dreamed of and hoped for in Southwest Texas and Uvalde. Settlers were holding fast to their faith as they moved westward. In the eighteen fifties, well known pioneer home missionary and evangelist, Daniel Baker, wrote from Huntsville, Texas, to a young friend:
"… We want men of the right stamp, strong men, who have a true missionary spirit of a Paul, or a Peter… We want men who are not influenced by any private or selfish considerations, but in whose bosom love to Christ is the ruling passion…. No preacher of the right stamp need fear to come to Texas, but weak men… had better not come… of our communion we develop only about one preacher for four counties…" (1)
Thirty years later, as the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railway was being constructed through Southwest Texas, Western Texas Presbytery received a request from the Executive Committee at Baltimore, Maryland, concerning the best place to send a man. On July 14, 1881, Presbytery Home Mission responded:
"On account of the large extent of territory, and the character of settlement, we will not be able to cultivate it by Evangelists going from place to place organizing churches and preaching here and there, but rather, we will select the most important points where large towns or cities will grow, and place men at these points to build up strong self-supporting churches…”
The Presbytery of Western Texas Home Mission recommended Laredo as the first point for sending a man, then gave a second choice:
"The second point which we recommend for occupation is some point on the Pacific extension of the 'Sunset' (G. H. & S. A. Ry.) between Uvalde and Del Rio. Here the work may take on more of the evangelistic character. Uvalde, Brackettville, and Del Rio may form a field and the minister may have to survey the ground before he can decide which he will live at. Del Rio may be of itself of sufficient importance very soon to occupy all of the chief part of our man's time. For the present we mention these two fields and recommend to the Executive Committee to put two men there--one at $1,500.00 (referring to Laredo) and the other $1,200.00 a year into them." (2)
Home Missionary and Evangelist, Reverend John H. Zivley, was assigned to the Uvalde area and had begun preparations for establishing a Presbyterian church there, when he concluded that Southwest Texas was too rough for his family and for his health and requested that he be returned to his "home field" in central Texas. Granting that request on November 18, 1881, Presbytery's Home Mission then assigned a newly ordained, 29 year old bachelor, Reverend James Robinson Bridges, to the Uvalde field and told him to start at once. (3) The young evangelist, unencumbered like Paul, boarded the train for Uvalde. From his base there, he served the people of Bandera, Brackettville, Del Rio, Nueces and Frio Canyons, riding horseback from one community to the other, enjoying the free life among the cowboys in their rough camps and the good people in the tiny settlements.
Years later, In 1924, Dr. Bridges, having moved by then to Charlotte, North Carolina, returned to San Antonio for the Sixty-fourth General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church. While there, he described his early experiences in southwest Texas to a reporter from the San Antonio Evening News. (4)
"The State was young, then, and wild with the recklessness of youth. The gunman ruled; the gambler reigned; saloons stood where churches now decorate the landscape, and many men died daily ''with their boots on," he declared.
The article quoted Dr. J. R. Bridges' description of circumstances surrounding his first glimpse of Texas:
"In 1881, the Presbytery of West Texas overtured the Assembly to send two evangelists to that territory to care for the rapidly growing population, and in response to this request F. P. Ramsay was sent to Laredo and I was sent to Uvalde. Before reaching my field, however, I was informed that the Presbytery had decided to send me to its eastern section to take the place of Rev. J. H. Zivley.”
“When, in the fall of 1881, I reached San Antonio and attended the called meeting of the presbytery, I found the home mission committee at sea as to what to do. Zivley, after a few months experience at Uvalde, had concluded that a frontier town would not do for his family.”
“After the cowboys had "shot up" the town one or two nights, Zivley also concluded that if he remained there he would probably die entirely with his boots on, a variety of death entirely unsuited to a minister. The circumstances were related in his plea for a change of locale.”
“I was accordingly transferred to Uvalde to care for that territory running west to the Rio Grande and northeast into Bandera County, requiring 350 miles of horseback riding each month. As the railway from San Antonio to El Paso at that time was only completed to Sabinal Station, about 60 miles from San Antonio and 22 miles from Uvalde, I had to ride that distance in an old fashioned coach hung on leather straps. It gave a motion like a ship at sea.”
“My first sight of Uvalde was not cheerful," Bridges continued. "The town was filled with men who were engaged in (rail) road work. Apparently they were from the slums of New York, as wild and desperate a set of men as I have ever seen.”
"The hotel where I had to stay was kept by a man who was a congenial spirit with his guests. The stores were frame, streets were stretches of dust in summer and mud in winter, and wherever one went he heard the most terrible oaths. Drunkenness was a common sin, and a too reckless use of the six-shooter seemed to be the most popular amusement especially at night when the cowboys would at times take possession of the town--in their vernacular 'paint it red'.”
“The hotel was of two stories, half finished, so one could easily count the stars through the openings in the roof and hear the whiz of bullets when the game was at its height.”
"On one occasion the correspondent of the San Antonio Express, known as 'Greely No. 2' from his resemblance to Horace Greely, had to share my room, and as the welkin rang with the whiz of bullets he lay there in expectation of death, while I, being hardened to such amusements, slept quietly and soundly.”
"The surrounding country was occupied by sheep and cattlemen, who often came into town filled with whisky, and sometimes fought with the authorities if the latter tried to control them. Then they sometimes fought with each other, so that we soon grew accustomed to murders, taking them as a part of a day's performance.”
"After a while I was able to get a comfortable home on the edge of town with an old couple, who were kind and good, but afflicted with a set of boys that had almost broken their hearts. There was a feud between them and some Mexicans, with the result that three of the boys had been killed by Mexicans, and the other boys had killed several Mexicans. Once by reason of my resemblance to the oldest son, a wealthy sheep man, I was nearly shot by Mexicans lying in ambush, while I was coming back from a trip on horseback to the Rio Grande River. (5)
" With Uvalde as my base, I began to work westward and northward, and in course of time we organized churches at Uvalde, Del Rio, 80 miles west, and at Bandera, 80 miles northeast, and I had a regular appointment at Montell in the Nueces Canyon. Besides these regular preaching places, I preached at times in the Frio Canyon. These appointments were 80 miles from Uvalde, with the exception of one in the Nueces Canyon, which was about 40 miles.”
"A tough mustang pony was my mode of traveling, and when I started out I was the facsimile of a Methodist circuit rider, being equipped with saddle bags, a canteen for water, a ''slicker'' for rain or ''a norther'', and a coil of rope for staking out the pony at night. Sometimes I shared the ''bed and board'' of a teamster, which generally consisted of a greasy blanket for covering, a sack of corn for a pillow, and black coffee, fat meat and cold bread. At other times I would share the garret with the hired man, not to mention some of the original occupants of the bed.”
"The preaching was often done under difficulties, sometimes in an adobe, but with dirt floor, grass roof and soap boxes for seats. At one point near the Mexican border my night services were held in a hotel dining room, across from a large tent in which there was always going on a game of faro, the dealer's cry combining very delightfully with that of the preacher, and where once a gang of roughs tried to stampede the congregation by firing a pistol inside the room, while drunken men were trying to climb through the windows.”
"If space permitted I could tell of delightful companionship with Josephus Johnson, whose memory is still fragrant in West Texas, one of the truest and sweetest spirits I have ever known. We hunted and fished together and enjoyed the open air of the Nueces Canyon with its clear streams, its pure air and its excellent people. (6)
"I have mainly presented the rough side of that life. Remember that there were Christian homes with Christian training. Refined men and women illustrated the power of the gospel and dispensed a hospitality that I have rarely seen surpassed.”
"Over the space of 40-odd years I look back, and I see the forms and faces of dear friends passing before me. I forget the long rides through the heat and cold, now facing the rain or else the fierce "norther". I only remember the dear friends and their kindness to the young preacher. I even recalled the professional gamblers who were always courteous to the "Sky Pilot'', and were ever willing to aid any charity." (7)
This son of two distinguished Virginia families, riding with stockmen, learned to love southwest Texas' free outdoor life. In later years he enjoyed telling stories of his experiences among the rough cowboys in their camps between Del Rio, Uvalde and Bandera. James Robertson Bridges held a literary degree of A. B. from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, which later conferred on him a Doctor of Divinity. He graduated from Union Theological Seminary. Bridges must have had great talent, for he served as minister for churches in three major cities, was named president of Presbyterian College for women in Charlotte, NC and became executive editor of the Presbyterian Standard. His sparkling and witty style of writing became familiar to Presbyterians all over the United States. (8)
Arriving in Uvalde County, in the fall of 1881, at the same time as Reverend Bridges, were William and Mattie Lynn Jones. The Jones, with their six children, Clarence, Leila, twins Fannie and Ellen, Virginia and Lynn, had traveled by covered wagon from Victoria County, Texas. Traveling with them were Clinton and Anna Stoner and the Stoner's two children, Hope Augusta and Thomas Royal. These two Presbyterian families, heeding reports of the healthful climate of the Edwards plateau and the open grasslands west of San Antonio, had left the lowlands of the coastal plains following a year of drought and disease, seeking new pastures in a healthy environment.
Thursday, November 10, 1881, the Jones and Stoners stopped over in Uvalde on their way to Nueces Canyon. Uvalde's population at that time was about 800. The two families found churches, schools, newspapers, general mercantile stores, a new courthouse, and a volunteer fire department. Mrs. Stoner wrote her mother that two doctors served Uvalde but people living there were so healthy the two physicians worked at other occupations.
"… one keeps sheep & the other, a store for a living."
The Stoners and Jones proceeded immediately to the upper Nueces Canyon with the Jones Family settling on the east side of the Nueces River near Montell. The Clinton Stoner Family lived with the Jones while looking for land to buy. Anna Stoner wrote her mother that a preacher, J. Zibley (Zivley), had been holding services once a month in Montell. She told her mother Zivley was familiar to her, having organized the church at Kemper's Bluff in Victoria County.
Replacing Zivley and using Uvalde as a base, Brother Bridges rode into the canyon and hill country north of Uvalde, keeping the monthly appointments for preaching at Montell,. The young preacher discovered the Jones and Stoners and other Presbyterians and learned of their interest in establishing a Presbyterian Church in the area.
The Jones home was a center of hospitality. William and Mattie were devout Presbyterians but they had an inclusive love for ministers of all denominations and all of them were welcome for meals or an indefinite stay.
Mail was carried to and from the Montell/Uvalde post offices. Anna Stoner wrote:
"we get mail twice a week, Mr. Jones keeps the mail carriers' horses for him and he (Jones) is kind enough to bring our mail from the post office for us… as soon as it comes… He goes in a no- topped buggy and sometimes has a passenger and often freight…"
Since William Jones cared for the mailman's horses, he may later have used that "no-topped buggy" or some other horse drawn conveyance to bring his family and others to church in Uvalde, so long as the Nueces River crossing was low enough to ford.
Still living with the Jones, Anna Stoner wrote her mother on Sunday, December 25, 1881, and described the lively Christmas scene, which featured the excited Jones/Stoner children. She also described preparations the two women made for three days of special holiday meals, culminating in the most important meal at which the
"… youthfull Presbyterian minister from Uvalde will dine here so you see 'the big pot will be put in the little one' then & kept there, untill the Monday following when he will return again to his city or one horse town home…" (9)
During Reverend Bridges' Christmas visit, he, the Jones and the Stoners must have discussed plans, perhaps begun by Reverend Zivley, for the chartering of a church in Uvalde, because in little more than a month that event occurred.
On February 12, 1882, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Reverend Bridges and others gathered in Uvalde for the organization of Uvalde's Presbyterian church. Charter members were: J. E. McIntosh, Miss Selia McIntosh, William McIntosh, Mrs. William Benson, Mr. Wilder, Mrs. Charlotte P. Poupe, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, Miss Rarah (Sarah?) Swing, William Jones, Mrs. Mattie Jones. Elected elders from the group were William Jones and J. E. McIntosh. (10) (11)
It is not known where this group met for their charter service. In early years in Uvalde, church gatherings were often held in the "Grove," under a beautiful stand of Live Oak trees on the West Bank of the Leona River, site of present Uvalde Memorial Park. Since this meeting took place in the winter month of February, it more likely was held in the Uvalde County Court House where the Episcopalians had organized the year before, or perhaps the Presbyterians met in the home of one of the charter members.(12)
One important charter member was Mrs. William Benson. Felicia Hamer Yeiser had met and wed Captain William Benson, a young Princeton graduate. Following his service with the Confederacy, Benson had moved from Maryland to Texas. The Bensons and their three children, Kate, Willie, and Anna were living in Rockport, Texas, from where William operated a boat, hauling freight. Felicia became ill and told her husband she had to get away from that "incessant sloshing water (or) she could never get well." So Captain Benson bought two little Mexican mules, Colorado and Prieto, and a brand new Studebaker wagon. Concerned for his invalid wife's comfort while traveling, he sent all the way to St. Louis, Missouri, for a bedspring to go in the wagon. After just a few days traveling and camping out at night Mrs. Benson began improving but remained in bed. One morning, while camped at San Marcos, William went out from camp to hunt squirrels. When he returned he found his wife sitting by the campfire sipping coffee. Rejoicing at her return to health they considered stopping permanently in San Marcos but decided instead to continue west, settling in Uvalde in 1870.
They first built a log cabin, then later a home on the same site, at 218 North Getty. Captain Benson became a land agent, ranched, hauled freight, and in 1880 was census enumerator. Irrigation intrigued him and he became involved in an irrigated farmland project out of the Nueces River, north of town.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Benson taught school in the picket schoolhouse, which was located across from the present Uvalde Presbyterian Church on the corner of Oak and North Getty streets. Benson often carried his Winchester to school. It isn't known whether the gun was for game or for Indians. (13) The last Indian raids in the Uvalde area were in Nueces Canyon in 1879 and in Frio Canyon in 1881.(14) (15)
Felicia may have yearned for her Presbyterian denomination but while waiting, this good woman helped a church already in place. It is recorded that Mrs. Benson loaned her organ to the Episcopalians for their charter meeting in the courthouse February 1881, one year before Presbyterians were organized. (16)
Felicia Benson bore two sons who died in infancy then two others, Harvey and Roy, who lived to maturity in Uvalde. (17) The oldest Benson daughter, Kate, did not join her mother in the organization of the Presbyterian Church. Miss Kate committed to membership in the Episcopal Church but served Presbyterians by playing the organ for their services. Uvalde writer, Florence Fenley quoted these words of Miss Mamie Harris about Kate:
"I remember how lovely Miss Kate Benson could play the organ at the Presbyterian Church. She was a very pretty woman and had the most beautiful auburn hair I ever saw. I used to love to go to the church to hear and see her play. I once slipped off to that church to see a big wedding…. It was the wedding of D. W. Barnhill and Miss Crisp."(18)
Kate Benson never married, but dedicated her life to the children of Uvalde as a teacher and principal and was honored posthumously when Benson Elementary School was named for her. (19)
The other gentleman to be elected elder of the newly organized Presbyterian Church, was J.E. McIntosh. Mr. McIntosh was an educator and taught in various settlements in the area. Miss Selia Macintosh, his daughter and William, his son, were also on the list of charter members. The January 6, 1887 issue of the Uvalde News mentioned that Mr. Willie McIntosh was visiting his father in Frio Canyon.
Miss Mamie Harris remembered how Uvalde looked in 1882, when she was six years old. Miss Harris described how the cow trails ran right across her front yard in the 200 block of South Getty Street. She described how the town's few buildings and houses were scattered amidst the brush and the streets were six and eight inches deep with fine dust where wagons and buggies traveled. In rainy weather, she said, "… there was that awful mud half way up to the hub of the buggy wheels and poor, sweating and straining horses pulling them through that heavy stuff."
Miss Mamie said,
"Kids are sure to see everything going on in town, if they are sent on errands often enough. I was walking up town one day and saw a buckboard coming down the street with two pretty girls sitting in the back with their feet hanging out. Some friends of Miss Sallie McIntosh and Miss Kate Benson were taking them for a ride, but the girls didn't want to go through town with their feet dangling out like that, and told them to stop and let them out. But the friends just kept on going till the girls jumped out. When they did, they lost their footing and they hit that fine dust and fell flat in the middle of it. Oh, my, if they weren't sights!" (21)
Another charter member of Uvalde Presbyterian was Miss Rarah (Sarah?) Swing. There were some Schwings in rural Precinct 4 in the 1880 Census. The father Sam was a sheep raiser and the mother, Josephine, kept house. Maybe Sarah worked or went to school in town. Mr. Wilder, another charter member, is not mentioned in local histories. Mrs. Charlotte P. Poupe (Pope?) could have been a member of the Pope family of the Upper Nueces Canyon. Listed also as present that day are Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, who may have been the family reported as living on the Dry Frio west of Knippa. Mr. Louis H. Knippa said of the Elliotts,
"I remember the Elliots always hunted for gold back in these mountains." (22)
When the charter members were seated that February 12, 1882, Reverend Bridges probably said, "Raise your right hand." Then using words like these, asked, "Do you, in reliance on God for strength, solemnly promise and covenant that you will walk together as an organized church on the principles of faith and order of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and that you will be zealous and faithful in maintaining the purity and peace of the whole church?" The congregation said, "I do." Brother Bridges then said these or similar words, "I now pronounce and declare that you are constituted a church according to the word of God and the faith and order of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." (23)
Later that year in July, Reverend Bridges reported by mail to the Home Mission of Western Presbytery in San Antonio that he had received $17.25 from Uvalde and $55.25 from Nueces Canyon. Reverend Bridges' salary, minus the $72.50 raised in the field was requested. The Home Mission Board voted to continue Reverend Bridges at $1000. (24)
Meeting in Seguin, Texas, in November, the Home Board discussed the Uvalde field. Brother Bridges had written that he had raised $600 by subscription and that he did not have a building for his church. After a full discussion, in view of all Reverend Bridges had reported to the Presbytery about his personal influence in Uvalde, the secretary moved that a recommendation be made to the Board to provide $500 to complete a building at Uvalde. The motion carried. (25)
Mr. Earnest A. Miller, who came to Uvalde about the time the Presbyterian Church was organized, served the church as an elder. He and his wife, Mary Shultz, were born in Germany and brought to America by their parents. Miller had learned the trade of wheelwright and blacksmith as a young boy in Germany. Behind his shop in Uvalde, on the corner of West Main and North High, was a large campground where country people camped. Many times a remuda of thirty or forty head of horses was there to be shod. (26) (27)
Dr. D. H. Crisp is listed in church records as having been a trustee of the Church in 1883. (28) David Hardee Crisp, with an M.D. from Pennsylvania University, moved to Uvalde from Columbus, Colorado County, Texas, seeking a better climate for his wife's health. With money he said he had saved from "Reconstruction," Crisp built a two-story Victorian home at High and Leona streets. His children contributed considerably to the development of Uvalde and Texas. (29)
Augusta Leakey Austin, daughter of a founder of Leakey, Texas, in Frio Canyon, in an interview for the Church historian in 1948/49, reminisced,
"In the school year of 1882-83, I went to school in Uvalde and attended church services in the Presbyterian Church a few times." (30)
At that time, Gussie Leakey was attending Miss Belle Meacham's Private School on Camp Street. In later years, she became a member of and served the Uvalde church as a Sunday school teacher and Women of the Church leader. (31)
The chairman of the Home Mission Board reported that the Baltimore Committee had allowed $200 for Uvalde’s church building. Construction had begun on a sanctuary for Uvalde Presbyterians and during that time the congregation worshipped in the Methodist Church.(32)
In the spring of 1883, in San Antonio, on April 13, Reverend Bridges told the board he hoped to get into the new church building in Uvalde by the middle of May. Brother Bridges suggested to the Home Mission Board that Bandera and places up the Medina River should have their own minister. (33) Evidently the preacher was becoming so busy with the Uvalde building program and local congregation that he had no time left for circuit riding to the distant Medina Canyon.
The small Presbyterian Church being built in Uvalde in 1883 had a high peaked roof and featured a steeple and bell. (34) The bell had been cast by Henry McShane and Company of Baltimore, Maryland and was inscribed with the words:
"Let Him That Heareth, Cometh".
Constructed on Lot 108 on the south side of West Nopal Street, the church property had been purchased for $75 from T. B. Revel. Trustees of the Presbyterian Church given responsibility for the transaction were Wm. M. Jones, E. A. Miller and L. C. Wilder.(35)
On June 10, 1883, the new building was dedicated to the Glory of God. The church bell pealed and church folk gathered thereafter for worship, weddings, funerals, study and Christian fellowship. (36)
Illustrating the hardships and handicaps of members of small rural churches during expansion into unsettled West Texas was this report to the West Texas Presbytery Home Mission Board meeting in Seguin on February 7, 1884:
"Brother Hensley met him at Waelder, but fence cutters having recently attempted to hang young McMillan, a worthy young man of our church, the place and Church were in a state of ferment and little could be done." (37)
Beginning in 1884, and continuing some nine years until 1893, First Baptist Church of Uvalde met in the Presbyterian building. These words from a First Baptist Church history, published in the Uvalde Leader News, Uvalde County Centennial Edition, 1956,
"The Church has always felt indebted to the Presbyterians for this courtesy. During this period, many changes were being made. The country was not yet stabilized." (38)
In late 1883, Reverend J. R. Bridges was called to Baltimore, Maryland, where he took charge of a Mission Chapel of the Associate Reformed or Independent Presbyterian Church, which served the industrial and low economic sector of Baltimore, Maryland. (39)
Following Brother Bridges' move, the Uvalde pulpit in 1884 was listed as "Vacant" but certain preachers were mentioned in the minutes of Home Missions of Western Texas as having been in Uvalde. (40)
The February 7, 1884, Seguin, Texes, entry said Mr. Moseley collected $4.15 at Uvalde, paid the money to the treasurer and reported that his expenses to Uvalde were $9.70 which the treasurer ordered paid. This entry evidently refers to a supply service minister sent to Uvalde. In another instance, the Home Mission Committee discussed the work of Brother Leps at length and finally ordered that Reverend Leps visit Uvalde and Laredo for a fortnight each until Presbytery met again in April. (41)
Listed in Uvalde church records as preachers following Bridges are: Reverends J. R. Jacobs, J. H. Leps, and R. K Moseley. Though not recorded as such, these men must have been supply service ministers, rather than full time pastors in Uvalde. (42)
The records and minutes of Western Texes Presbytery indicate pastors assigned to Uvalde as follows:
One of Presbytery's supply service preachers to Uvalde was G. L. Wolfe whose name appeared in Uvalde's newspaper during the time he served here. The Uvalde News in 1886 listed services in its church directory as follows:
Presbyterian Church
Sunday school 9:30 A. M.
Business Meeting 8 p.m. Monday after 2nd Sunday,
W. H. Beaumont, Sunday School Superintendent;
G.S. Little, Secretary.
Preaching 11 o'clock AM and 8:15 PM First and Third Sabbaths;
Del Rio, Second Sabbaths;
Fourth, Sabinal;
Reverend G. L. Wolfe, Pastor.
In that same June 24, 1886, issue of the Uvalde News, under a " Purely Personal" heading, was: "Reverend G. L. Wolfe will preach at Sabinal next Sunday morning." (44)
Continuing Presbytery's listing of pastors to Uvalde:
A list of preachers in Uvalde's unpublished church history shows H. R. Laird serving before W. L. Kennedy.
About the turn of the century, the exact year is uncertain, a violent windstorm blew the little church building off its foundation, scattering and destroying all records of church activities. Some of the lumber from the church was collected and sold to a Rocksprings Road rancher who used the lumber to build a barn. The only thing saved from the old building was its bell. Mrs. Daniel Holmes remembered the storm occurred during a time before she moved to Uvalde, while she and her husband were visiting. She recalled that her husband and his relative, Hal Mangum, a local rancher, gave generous contributions to form the nucleus of a fund to build a new church. (47)
From 1905 til 1907, while funds were being collected for the new church and construction going on, the Presbyterians met half a block away, in First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), on the northeast corner of Nopal and High streets. (48)
Western Presbytery's list of Uvalde preachers continues chronologically:
Church historians made an attempt in later years to gather missing historical data by interviewing old timers and recording their memories of church events and people. The historians compiled lists of preachers and officers who served during the beginning years of Uvalde's Presbyterian Church.
In 1907, a new Church building was built at the same location as that one destroyed by wind. Installed or ordained as elders that year were G. A. Norman, A. C. Murray, Dr. A. L. Dickey, C. T. Girard and Daniel Holmes. Deacons registered for 1907 are C. W. Bashaw, Dr. Lee McIntosh, and Harry J. Dalton.
In 1908, Reverend P. H. Burney served as supply service minister in the new structure. Harry Dalton was installed/ordained as an elder on June 14, 1908 and became clerk of the session.
Appointed as Trustees to of Uvalde's Presbyterian Church on October 3, 1909, were: J. A. Mangum, J. T. Dalton and Dale Evans. (50)
Reverend Thomas Alexander Hardin became pastor of Uvalde Presbyterian Church in February 1909. Hardin, like many others, came to the Uvalde area for reasons of health. The Hardin family doctor in Springhill, Tennessee, knew that people found the Uvalde climate healthful so he sent his ailing patient, Reverend Hardin, westward to cure tuberculosis. The minister was told to go north of Uvalde to the hills, not south to the flat land. Hardin came in 1905, and first boarded with Judge and Mrs. W. D. Love.
Later, after his wife and six children joined him, Hardin lived in a tent near Montell on the William Jones place for about a year. Then the family moved to a tent on the Baylor place. The tent the Hardins lived in was like others being used in the Nueces Canyon, having wooden floors, wooden walls about two feet high and canvas walls and roof above the wooden base.
The year T. A. Hardin started his 25 year association with First Presbyterian Church he moved his family to Uvalde to a house at 1237 High Street. A two-room box house with a shed and kitchen at the rear and space out back for a milk cow and a buggy horse. They later added two more bedrooms. (51)
The arrival of Reverend T. A. Hardin ended an era of unpredictability and uncertainty and created one of stability. Hardin won the affection and respect of the entire county. Hardin's youngest son, Clement Wade Hardin, said of his father,
"Our father had the best understanding of the Bible of anyone I've ever known. He was a student. When we lived on High Street, he built himself a study, a little house back away from the main house where he wouldn't be disturbed. All week he studied and worked on his two sermons for Sunday; he studied all the time."
Hardin lived his religion. His son recalled that they went to church twice on Sundays and once on Wednesdays. Every night after supper Papa Hardin would read scripture then all would kneel and have prayer. Because he believed all were God's children, the Reverend associated with everybody, from reprobates to the leaders of the community. He was sensitive to the opinions of others. A town character, described as "harmless and mindless," once walked up to the preacher and said, "If I had on a long-tailed coat like that I could preach just as good as you can and better, too." The following Monday morning the Reverend Hardin took his frock-tailed coat out to his wife's wash pot fire and burned it.
In the early years of Hardin's pastorate, his salary was $60 then $80. Even later the sum never exceeded $125. Mrs. Hardin sold milk and butter to supplement their income. Guests were welcome in the Hardin home. When goat ranchers from Nueces Canyon made their trips to Uvalde to sell mohair and buy supplies twice each year, they frequently stayed with the Hardins. A small ledger, now in possession of grandson Thomas Ashby Hardin shows as many as 80 members in the early Presbyterian Church congregation. It also shows that the Uvalde church donated $190 to the D'Hanis Presbyterian Church where Reverend Hardin also served. (52)
It was during the twenty-five year pastorate of Reverend Hardin that the small congregation began to evangelize and outgrow the Nopal Street location.
In 1910 Harry J. Dalton was Sunday School superintendent and J. F. Hill assistant superintendent. Elders of 1910 and 1912 were W. H. McIntosh, J. F. Hill (clerk), E. B. Seale, and Donald Campbell. On May 8, 1912, the congregation voted to buy the lot owned by W. R. Hooper on the northeast corner of North Getty and East Oak streets. Membership in 1913 numbered forty and the pastor's salary $515. C. J. Cate and H. B. Patterson became elders. (53)
On April 2, 1914, J. A. Mangum, Trustee for the Uvalde Congregation of the Presbyterian Church purchased town lot #373 for the consideration of $1000.00 paid.(54) Membership in 1914 numbered 47 and W. N. Hancock was ordained as an elder. On May 17, 1914, E. B. Seale, C. J. Cate and H. B. Patterson were appointed Trustees of the Church. On July 5, 1914, elders C. J. Cate, Donald Campbell, and W. N. Hancock were appointed to a committee to arrange for moving the Church building to the new site at 300 North Getty. This was done within the year and the Nopal Street property sold.
Mrs. W. N. Hancock remembered in a letter for the Church history, that her husband did repair work on the building and built rooms on the front at the time of the move.(55) On April 6, 1915, the committee reported all work completed and rendered a statement, which was read and adopted by the Session, and the Committee was thankfully discharged. Mr. Hancock was commended highly and thanked personally for his sacrificial efforts. (56)
Though there was a belfry on the second church structure the old bell was never hung. After the building was moved from Nopal to North Getty the bell was stored beneath the building. On September 15, 1919, at a Session meeting moderated by Reverend Hardin the bell was discussed, and it was suggested that it be donated to a church in Tennessee since it had never hung in the belfry. No action was taken on the suggestion, so the bell remained hidden beneath the church. After the addition of rooms creating a modern two-story façade on the front of the building, both bell and belfry were soon forgotten. (57)
Augusta Leakey Austin recalled that when she returned to Uvalde in 1921, she met several times with the ladies of the church. Meeting in their various homes, Mrs. Austin thought they called this church-related group "The Ladies Aid." Later the "Auxiliary" was organized. (58)
Membership in the church had grown to 68 by 1927 so the next congregational step was purchase of the adjoining property and erection of an educational building.
Reverend Hardin's health deteriorated and he was compelled to retire in 1933. On September 27, that same year, Reverend T. A. Hardin was made Pastor Emeritus and remained so until his death in 1946. Presbytery of Western Texas met in Uvalde's First Presbyterian Church in September 1936. After Hardin retired, various supply service preachers served Uvalde the next three years until John P. Minter became pastor in July 1935. Minter and his wife, Libby, had hoped to go to China as missionaries and after a year in Uvalde the opportunity came for them to serve in China. In March 1937, they said goodby to their congregation of 100 members to begin their missionary adventure.
Only three months later, the Uvalde church called Dr. W. P. Dickey, a beloved leader of Presbyterianism in Texas, to be their pastor. When Uvalde gave up their young to World War II, Dr. Dickey was a source of strength and comfort to those who went to war and to those left at home.
This list was saved from a church bulletin dated June 13, 1943:
"They have quietly gone to war: T. W. Swofford, in civil service; C. P. Spangler, in army; Charles Spangler, marines; Thomas Shurley, army; Victor Fusselman, training; Harold Brundrette, air service; Jean Carrell, overseas; Joe F. Carrell, overseas; Lynn H. Spurgeon, marines; Sam Spurgeon, marines; Wm. P. Kellogg, marines; Eugene Oliphant, marines; Johnnie Mays, marines, died in service; Raymond Mays, marines; Thomas Nelson, Chilton Stoner, Navy; Robert Ramsey, in service; Anna Lee Ramsey, war work in Virginia; June Ramsey, war work in Virginia; Charlotte Ramsey, war work in Virginia."
In 1942, the auxiliary asked for 20 pounds of sugar per month from the Ration Board.
Under Dr. W. P. Dickey's leadership, consolidation and organization came to Uvalde's church. A manse was planned and for the first time there would be a complete plant for Uvalde's First Presbyterian Church: a sanctuary, educational building, and a home for the pastor. Membership continued to grow steadily, having reached 127, when on July 2, 1944, before the manse was built and just before World War II ended, Dr. Dickey resigned.
Following Dr. Dickey's resignation, plans and specifications of the proposed manse were discussed at a meeting on November 24, 1944, and the congregation voted to accept the bid from Uvalde Lumber Company. Indebtedness on the structure was paid in full less than a year later, on September 30, 1945.
Reverend D. A. McRight became pastor in the spring of 1945 and served the Uvalde church until July 1947. (59) On March 5, 1947, 50 men and friends of the Presbyterian Church gathered to organize a "Men's Club" for Christian fellowship. Serving as officers were: President, Jack Mitchell; Vice President, Robert D. Owens; and Secretary-treasurer, Frank Merritt. The men held regularly scheduled meetings with invited speakers. Dolph Briscoe Jr., who later became Governor of Texas, spoke to the men several times. In October 1951, the group became known as "Men of the Church" and continued the tradition of Wild Game dinners, Father/Son banquets and Chuck Wagon suppers. At the time of this writing, the Men of the Church continue to meet monthly for early morning study breakfasts and for a once-a-year fish-fry at Dr. C. H. "Dusty" Huddleston's Leona River Place. (60)
Reverend H. A. Woestemeyer was installed as pastor on February 1, 1948, inheriting a Membership of 155.
The congregation voted in 1948 to buy property at 408 North Getty Street for $10,000. W. T. Shurley, Joe Brown and John Smylie were elected Trustees to handle that purchase. (61)
In September 1948, the woman's organization was changed from "The Women's Auxiliary" to "Women of the Church." No matter what they were called, throughout the history of Uvalde's First Presbyterian Church, the woman have faithfully nurtured the church family. They have prayed, studied, shared Christian literature and taught, conducted Bible schools, visited the sick and lonely, made offerings to Home and Foreign Missions and Ministerial relief. Women have placed flowers in the church and prepared the communion table; sent money for encampments and new churches; supplied the needs of orphanages; presented Easter and Christmas pageants; cooked for family night, barbecue, soup, ice cream and other suppers as well as luncheons and picnics; held showers for brides and new mothers; held receptions for new and retiring ministers; gave birthday, Valentine, and Christmas parties; prepared meals for sick and/or grieving families; wrote reports, letters and histories; planned and organized meetings; went to training meetings; attended upper level governing Presbyterian committees as delegates; recognized and reported the leadership of women; collected clothing, sent napkins and gifts and made quilts for Texas/Mexico Presbyterian schools; sent pecans to African missionaries and made and sent caps to the Belgian Congo; saved coupons for silver flatware for the annex; held fund raising events and gave freely for pianos, organs and chimes, gas stoves and hot water heaters, dishes, tables and tablecloths, drapes, carpet and parlor furniture, typewriters, repairs to the church and saved for a new manse. They help beautify the church grounds. The women rolled bandages and sewed dresses for White Cross, sewed for cancer patients and gave linen to the Red Cross. They entertained cadets from Garner Field and sent cards to boys in the armed service and sent clothing to overseas relief. The women collected food and clothing and sewed for local needy families. They equipped the nursery, bought toys and paid an attendant to be with the babies each Sunday. Women of the Church, unrecognized heroines and pillars of this church. All this is recorded in detail in notebooks titled Women of the Church History. These can be found in the church office. (62)
Improvements were made in both the manse and church the last three months of 1948. On March 30, 1949, a budget totaling $7160 was adopted and membership totaled 135. Reverend Woestermeyer requested Presbytery for dissolution of pastoral relations between himself and the Uvalde church. The congregation concurred and the dissolution became effective June 31, 1950.
The congregation voted on November 22, 1950, to sell the property at 408 North Getty at not less than $10,000.00 which was the purchase price. The Board of Trustees for this transaction consisted of Joe F. Brown, Chairman, David Speir, and John A. Smylie.
In January 1951, the congregation voted to issue a call to Reverend Frank B. Walker, Jr., to be their pastor. 63 Walker proved to be a strong leader. He was a family man, caring deeply about his own and his church family. Peace, love, and understanding came to the congregation with the Walker family. (64)
In 1951 there was evidence of a need for a new church building but Walker declared he would not mention such a project until the front pews were full. (65) Over a year later in the spring and summer of 1952 the Session and congregation held long and full discussions about enlarging the sanctuary, Sunday school facilities and buildings. Reverend Walker led the church to adopt a master plan for full facilities.
As plans were being made, the preacher explored the church property and decided to see what was beneath the old building. This led to discovery of the magnificent bell and inspired a slogan for the building program. That slogan was, "The Old Bell Shall Ring Again!" (66)
That fall, in the midst of a statewide drought that was having a disastrous economic effect on Uvalde, the Church courageously undertook a fund raising campaign. Members of that committee were:
C. V. Lowe, Chairman; Homer Cooper, Secretary; Chester Blevins, Roy Carpenter, Seth Davenport, Earl Franks, E. Jay Harpole, Archie Jones, Joe Edwards, Louis Manz, Dr. Jack Key, Jack Mitchell, V. C. Myrick, W. T. Shurley, Emmet B Nichols, S. C. Porter, Lee Wiebush, Wilton Spangler, David Speir, M. C. Jaegli, John A. Smylie, Mrs. T. C. Stoner, Joe F. Brown, Frank Speir, T. J. Gass, Mrs. Cup Anderson, Mrs. Archie L. Jones, Mrs. Joe F. Brown, and Mrs. J. O. Palmer.
Miraculously, gifts and pledges from this fund drive totaled $105, 329.60.
On June 10, 1953, 70 years after dedication of the first building on Nopal Street, the Church broke ground for its new building. Returning to participate in the celebration were Dr. W. P. Dickey and Reverend John P. Minter. Also present for this historic event were Reverend G. Wendell Crofoot, Executive Secretary of Western Texas Presbytery and Col. J. Stuart Pearce.
On August 23, 1955, work was complete and the congregation moved into the new Fellowship Hall which served as a place of worship until a new sanctuary could be built.
By fall of 1955, the old wooden church had been torn down, the site leveled and grass planted. The property at 408 North Getty was sold that year.
Reverend Frank Walker accepted a call to the Brownsville Presbyterian Church where, after they got to know him dubbed him "The Little Fisherman." Walker resigned as Uvalde pastor on January 16, 1956. (67)
On February 2, 1956, the congregation granted the title of Elder Emeritus to John A. Smylie.
In the spring, Reverend Joseph R. Cooper assumed his duties as pastor. The congregation adopted a budget of $26,988.12 for 1957.
A contract was awarded to Chester Blevins to build the next unit of the Church. Work was begun on January 30, 1957, and completed June 5.
Following two years of service Reverend J. R. Cooper left in April, 1958 for a pastorate in Lancaster, Texas.
The pulpit committee recommended William I. Boand, Jr., to fill the vacancy. The call was issued and Reverend Boand accepted the invitation as of January 1, 1959. (68)
Third and final phase of the building program was begun on September 8, when the contract for the sanctuary was awarded to Carlisle and Carlisle Contractors at a total cost for construction and furnishings of $55,000. The building committee consisted of Chairman Watson Frazar, Tom Wilson, E. K. Melton, Bob Berry, Bill Brice, Mrs. Acree Carlisle, Jr., and Mrs. C. V. Lowe. (69) A service of Thanksgiving was held on May 17, 1964, on the occasion of the completion of the sanctuary.
The church bell was placed in the courtyard in front of the entrance to the foyer and hung low enough to be rung by hand. The bell's pedestal is a handsome bench on which are inscribed these words:
THIS GREAT BELL ~
SOLE WITNESS TO ALL HISTORY 0F THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF UVALDE TEXAS _ is a heritage from the twelve founders of this congregation February 12, 1882 _ and their first church building June 10, 1883
THIS BELL _ survived when the church was destroyed by wind in 1901 and witnessed a second church built in the year 1907
THIS BELL _ moved with the church to its present site after the 1912 remodeling ~ and tolled the dedication of our first foundation building in the pastorate of Rev. T.A. Hardin,
THIS BELL _ saw first construction of this church master-plan in 1955 under pastorate of Rev. Frank P. Walker, and an addition during the pastorate of Rev.J. R. Cooper in the year 1957.
THIS BELL _ has today sounded completion of the sanctuary, May 17, 1964 In the pastorate of Rev. Wm L. Boand.
"EXCEPT THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE, THEY LABOR IN VAIN THAT BUILD IT" Ps 127
In January of 1965, after six years of service in Uvalde, Reverend William I. Boand accepted a call to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, and left the Uvalde church. During that year the Church awarded Chester Blevins a contract to build a brick, 3 bedroom, 2 bath manse located on Skylane Drive North. The old manse, at the rear of the church property was sold and removed from the lot and the new home was completed in November of 1965.
Reverend Emmet Adair was pastor from September 1, 1965 until January 1970. Mrs. Bill "Alice" Gorman assumed the duty of choir director under Adair and served in that capacity for just under 25 years.
From October 1970, Reverend J. A. Strickland pastored the Uvalde Presbyterian Church for twelve stable, quiet years until January 1, 1982, when the Stricklands moved to Marble Falls, Texas.
February 14, 1982, First Presbyterian Church of Uvalde celebrated the 100th Anniversary of its chartering with a reenactment of that event in 1882. Researched, written and narrated by Edie Huddleston, the reenactment was held in the courtyard of the church with costumed church members portraying the 1882 charter members and ministers.
Cast :
· Reverend John H. Zivley Seth Davenport
· Reverend James R. Bridges Ray Dabney
· Mrs. William (Felicia) Benson June Brice
· Miss Kate Benson Tane Neutze
· William M. Jones Dennis Larsen
· Mrs. William M. (Mattie) Jones Holly H. Smith
· J.E. McIntosh Jack Heyen
· Miss Selia (Sally) McIntosh Jennifer Beasley
· William McIntosh Mike Tuckness
· Miss Sarah Swing Becca Beasley
· Mr. Wilder Chuck Valentine
· Mrs. Charlotte Pope Susan Stone
· Mr. Elliot Steve Dishman
· Mrs. Elliot Cheryl Tuckness
Concluding the pageant, the old bell, hanging in the Church courtyard, pealed throughout downtown Uvalde. (70) On the same day as the centennial celebration, Reverend Frank Walker burned the note that had funded the building of the church sanctuary. The note, which was for $55,000 at 5 1/2%, interest had been paid in full on January 15, 1982.71 Reverend Walker, who had come from his home in Taylor, Texas, for the celebration, spoke in regular service that day. His subject, "From History to Hope." (72)
Reverend Jack C. Hunnicutt began his pastorate in Uvalde on April 1, 1982. From a lengthy service in Junction, Texas, Hunnicutt brought with him the designation, Rural Minister of Texas in 1974 by the Texas A & M University Extention Service and Progressive Farmer magazine.
Choir director and organist, husband and wife, Wayne and Sandra Coleman, died within two weeks of one another in 1992. The two Presbyterians had musically served the community and church since 1980.
Property adjoining the church to the north was purchased in 1993, insuring room for physical expansion. (73)
While shepherding the Uvalde church, Reverend Hunnicutt completed the requirements and received his Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary. Dr. Hunnicutt and his wife Alice served twelve years in Uvalde until Jack reached mandatory retirement age, moving from Uvalde in July 1994 to Cleburne, Texas. (74)
In 1997 Doctor Jack C. Hunnicutt was named Pastor Emeritus of Uvalde Presbyterian Church. (75)
Accepting the Uvalde church's call, Reverend Kenneth W. Waddell came to Uvalde in August 1995, bringing with him his ordained minister wife, Bridget and their two children. Not seeking a call, Bridget Waddell believed that her ministry at this time of life was to tend her home and raise her children. She agreed to serve the church as choir director. (76)
Uvalde Presbyterian Church has never, from 1881 till 1997, failed to look to the future. Knowing that children and young people are that future, attention has always been given to that age group. From 1882 to 1923, the ratio of Sunday school students uniting with the Church was one new church member for every fifteen scholars of all ages on the Sunday school membership roll. Historically numbers of children in Sunday school have fluctuated, averaging about 50, sometimes fewer, sometimes more, never huge numbers. (77)
1941 is the earliest account this author found concerning a Vacation Bible School sponsored by the Church. Mrs. J. O. (Ruby) Palmer was Chairman. Recent Summer Vacation Bible Schools have been held in cooperation with St. Philips Episcopal Church.78 In the early 1970s, Uvalde neighbors "across the street" Presbyterian and Episcopal senior high Sunday School classes joined forces, resulting in a very strong program for three years, taking students to appropriate theater performances in San Antonio and on weekend outings to John Knox and Mo Ranch. (79)
From 1949 on, organized youth fellowship programs have been available for the children. The Uvalde church sends young ones to various church camps each summer and selected senior high members have functioned in leadership capacity at regional levels. At the conclusion of every school year the Church recognizes graduating seniors with a special ceremony and gifts. In the 1980s and early 1990s, this service was held during the annual church picnic on Elmo and Marge Jones' Open V Ranch on the upper Nueces River. In recent decades there has been a yearly "youth led" Sunday morning worship service. From 1995, the youth have held an early Easter morning worship service in the courtyard, releasing balloons in celebration of the resurrection of Christ. The service concludes with children decorating a cross with flowers. (80)
In 1997, First Presbyterian Church, under the leadership of Reverend Ken Waddell, took another step forward in Christ's cause. The congregation agreed to a renovation and expansion program, utilizing its property to the north. Leading the project were Renovations Team members: Trustee Representative: Bill Brice; Elders: Barbara Abbott, Diana Baker, Shelley Chaney, Teresa Coble, Steve Dishman, Linda Hammond, John Hodges, Bill Mitchell, Stephen Rambie, Ken Rutherford , Suzie Stone and Ed Taylor.
At this time, 1998, while preparing and submitting this history to the Texas State Historical Commission for revue, the First Presbyterian Church of Uvalde is back in its beautifully renovated sanctuary. While the renovation was underway, church members worshipped in Uvalde's elegantly restored Grand Opera House. The music there, led by the choir and accompanied on the piano by organist, Dr. Mark Black, resounded magnificently in the acoustically superior 1891 building. The congregation was made even more aware of those pioneering men and women of the 19th century who established First Presbyterian Church in Uvalde, helping bring Christian civilization to unsettled western Texas.
Reverend Art Strickland, speaking for First Presbyterian Church, in Uvalde County's 1975 history, A Proud Heritage, said, "Uvalde has changed but the Church's work continues as in 1881, to make God known." May it ever be so. 81
NOTES
PRINTED WORKS:
· Fenley, Florence. Oldtimers, Frontier Days in Uvalde Section of South West Texas, Uvalde,Texas: Hornby Press, 1939.
· ___________ Oldtimers of Southwest Texas, Uvalde, Texas: Hornby Press, 1957.
· Henderson, McLaurin Margaret. Tragedy at the McLaurin Ranch. Austin, Texas: Morgan Printiing, 1994.
· Meyers, Lois E. Letters by Lamplight, A Woman's View of Everyday Life in South Texas, 1873 - 1883. Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 1991.
· Stovall, Allan A. Nueces Headwater Country, A Regional History, San Antonio, Texas: Naylor Company, 1959.
· Uvalde County, A Proud Heritage, a History of Uvalde County, Texas, Uvalde, Texas: El Progeso Club, 1975. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number 75 - 36691, 1975.
· "St Philips Episcopal" by Rosemarie Carr, p 231.
· "Captain William Benson" by Mary Felice Carper, pp 309 - 310.
· "Earnest A. Miller" by Mary Lucille Carper, pp 399 - 400.
· "David Hardee Crisp" by Anderson Boone Crisp, pp 333 - 334.
· "First Presbyterian" by Reverend J. Arthur Strickland, p 238.
· UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPTS AND LETTERS:
· Crabtree, Blanche, Letters 1996/1997, re Griner/Mexican Feud. Huddleston Collection, Uvalde, Texas.
· Crawford, Overton Harris, "Our Family, a Record of the Jones, Wellington, Stoner and Other Related Families". 106 W. Covington, Austin, Texas. Copy in First Presbyterian Church office, Uvalde, Texas.
· First Presbyterian Church Manuscripts and Documents: Collected papers and minutes, "Women of the Church", "Men of the Church". Office of the church, Uvalde, Texas.
· Hardin, Jewell, "Hulett W. Griner", 1816 -1889". Huddleston Collection, Uvalde, Texas.
MAGAZINES:
· Hunter, J. Marvin ed, "Fighting Days in Uvalde", an interview reprinted from San Antonio Evening News, Frontier Times pp 14, 15, 16, 17, Vol 1 No 10. Bandera, Texas. July, 1924.
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