First Presbyterian Church

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the First Presbyterian Church of Giddings, Lee County, Texas. Now, thirteen is a number that makes some folks nervous. Thirteen seats at a table, thirteen steps on a staircase, thirteen anything and people start lookin' over their shoulders.

But in 1876, thirteen charter members gathered in Giddings and decided that number was just fine. More than fine. It was a beginning.

Under the direction of Rev. H. B.

Burr and Rev. R. H.

Byers, the First Presbyterian Church was founded, and those thirteen souls put down roots that are still holding. Now here's where the story gets interesting. A congregation needs a building, and when the time came to put one up, they didn't go hire some outside contractor from somewhere else.

They looked inward. Frank Morris, the ruling elder of that very church, the man who helped keep the congregation in order, picked up the challenge himself. In 1886, Morris designed and built the edifice with his own hand in the work.

Think about that. The man who helped lead the flock also laid the walls that sheltered it. An annex followed in 1952, giving the old building a little more room to breathe.

And through all of it, that structure Frank Morris built has never gone dark, never closed its doors, never passed the baton to a newer building. It stands today as the oldest church building in Giddings in continuous use. Thirteen members started it.

One ruling elder built it. And it's still standing.

What the marker says

Founded 1876, with thirteen charter members, under the direction of Rev. H. B. Burr and Rev. R. H. Byers. Edifice designed and built in 1886 by the ruling elder, Frank Morris. Annex constructed in 1952. Oldest church building in Giddings in continuous use. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967