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History of Westminster
Presbyterian Church
In 1874, the First Presbyterian Church
of Galveston organized a mission Sunday
School for the "West End" of Galveston, west of 29th Street. Attendance
was light, but the efforts continued and in the Spring of 1889, First Church
appointed a committee to "organize a Sabbath
School and weekly prayer meeting
for the West End of the
city". Mr. H.M. Trueheart donated a
lot on 36th and Broadway, where a "Memorial Chapel" was
constructed in 1892. On October 10, 1895, Brazos Presbytery,
Presbyterian Church U.S.,
organized the Second Presbyterian Church of Galveston with 39 members and
Henry Austin, Jr. was ordained and served as Pastor. The next week,
on October 17, 1895, the congregation voted to change the name to the
Broadway Memorial Presbyterian Church.
The September 8, 1900 storm
caused major confusion in the congregation. The very sketchy
records of that period list six members who could not be found after the
storm and were presumed to have perished. Also, records indicate
"15 communicants unaccounted for." The church building
was blown from its foundation and wrecked. Services were resumed
November 4, 1900.
About 1910, the church again
changed its name, this time to the Ann Trueheart
Memorial Presbyterian Church. Finally, after 33 years of existence,
in 1928, the present name was adopted.
The church functioned at the
36th & Broadway location until 1926, when two lots at 37th & Q1/2
were purchased. The structure that was built at that location is
still being used as a church (Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church). In 1957,
the congregation purchased the Fort
Crockett military
chapel for $556, and the cold storage warehouse, and its 1.4 acres at
51st and Ave. U, for an additional $36,000. The chapel was moved to
the new site, the warehouse was remodeled, and the congregation began to
use its new facilities in 1962.
When Hurricane Carla struck
in 1961, the present Educational
Building was still
under renovation. It had enough open space to allow those who took
refuge within the building to pass the time playing volleyball. The
only working restroom was in the Sanctuary. We understand the trip,
possible if one held tightly to a rope stretched between the two
buildings, was a real thrill!
After Hurricane Alicia in
1983, worship services were held in the parking lot since there was no
electricity in the city. The present furnishing of the sanctuary
was completed in 1983, and the new organ installed in 1987.
On October 7-8, 1995, the
congregation celebrated the church's centennial, hosting a large
celebration for all members past and present. Many former members
returned for the weekend and former pastors James Mosley and Cecil Lang
were in attendance. A "Centennial" logo was designed to
tie together all aspects of the celebration, including the worship
service, special bulletin, the party, the
placement of a time capsule, centennial T-shirts and various other
remembrances of the occasion. A centennial tree was also planted.
For as long as anyone can
remember, and that's quite a long time, this Congregation has reached out
to the community and the world, supporting such projects as the local
blood bank, Ronald McDonald House, Beacon Place, Presbyterian missions
and the Heifer Project International. Since Hurricane Ike in 2008, we serve
as the home of the Children’s
Coalition Day Car. We take satisfaction in being able to return
a portion of what has been given us.
The Reverend Henry Austin,
Jr. heads a list of 30 pastors whom have served this Congregation through
the beginning of the 21st century. While pastoral leadership has
ranged from bland to bold, from enigmatic to energetic, the Congregation
has continued to be a strong center of Christianity in the "West End
of Galveston". May its years continue and its service to
Christ increase!
5127 Ave U, Galveston, TX 77551
(409) 744-6510
wpc5127@sbcglobal.net
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