Central Presbyterian Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Back in 1869, eighteen charter members gathered in Waco and established what they called the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Waco. Eighteen people.

You might think that's a modest start for a congregation that would go on to anchor itself in this community for generations, and you'd be right to think it. But modest starts have a way of growing into something you can point to with pride. The Reverend William Dillard stepped in as that first pastor, and the work began.

Then came the Reverend D. C. Kinnard, and under his leadership the congregation did something that turned heads.

In 1873 they put up a two-story brick sanctuary. Now that alone would be something, but here's the part worth savoring: that building also housed the public school in Waco. One structure, two purposes, one determined congregation.

Come 1903, a frame sanctuary went up right here at this site. And then, three years later, in 1906, the church took a new name. Central Presbyterian Church.

A name with some weight to it, some permanence. They weren't done building, either. In 1921 and 1922, they raised a brick sanctuary with elaborate stained glass windows, right at this site.

Stained glass windows described as elaborate, and I believe it. That's a congregation saying something about itself without saying a word. Central Presbyterian Church has gone on serving the community with a variety of programs ever since, and in 2004 the congregation moved to its present site.

Eighteen charter members in 1869 to a brick sanctuary with elaborate stained glass windows. That's the story the marker tells, and it's a good one.

What the marker says

This church was established as Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Waco by 18 charter members in 1869. The Rev. William Dillard served as first pastor. Led by the Rev. D. C. Kinnard, the congregation built a 2-story brick sanctuary in 1873 which also housed the public school in Waco. A frame sanctuary was built here in 1903, and in 1906 the church was renamed Central Presbyterian Church. The congregation built a brick sanctuary with elaborate stained glass windows at this site in 1921-22. Central Presbyterian Chruch serves the community with a variety of programs. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995 The Congregation moved to the present site in 2004. (Supplemental Plate 2004)