DUANE
Duane's take
Here's the story as the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. On May 12, 1867, seven people sat down together in Corpus Christi and decided to build something that would last. Under the leadership of the Reverend William Mitchell, they formally organized the First Presbyterian Church — seven charter members, that's all, just seven souls with an idea bigger than themselves.
They got to work on a sanctuary right away. And then Corpus Christi had other plans. A yellow fever epidemic swept through the city, and construction ground to a halt.
That building didn't get finished until May of 1868 — a whole year behind where they'd hoped to be. But it got finished. That's the thing about this congregation.
Things got finished. By the turn of the century, they'd outgrown what they had. So they went looking for help, and they found it in Henrietta King, who provided financial assistance for a new brick sanctuary on Broadway.
That building went up in 1901 and 1902, and it served them well — right up until 1930, when they completed this one. This sanctuary, the one the marker stands beside, was built with a major donation from the Rachel Doddridge Estate. And they didn't just throw up four walls and call it a day.
Gothic revival architecture, brick-clad, with an offset tower, stone detailing, and art glass windows. The kind of building that makes you stop and look before you even walk inside. But here's what I want you to sit with — the building is only part of the story.
When hurricanes and devastating storms tore through Corpus Christi, these folks opened the doors and housed the victims. And over the years, this one congregation helped establish eight new Presbyterian congregations in the city. Eight.
Started from seven charter members, and planted eight more churches around them. More than a century of Corpus Christi history, and the First Presbyterian Church is still at it — religious, educational, outreach programs, the whole of it. Seven people with an idea.
Turns out that's enough to start something that doesn't stop.
What the marker says
Formally organized on May 12, 1867, under the leadership of the Rev. William Mitchell, this congregation began with seven charter members. Construction of a sanctuary was begun immediately, but it was not completed until May 1868 due to a yellow fever epidemic in the city. By the turn of the century the congregation needed a larger building. With financial assistance from Henrietta King, a new brick sanctuary was built on broadway in 1901-02. It served the congregation until 1930, when this sanctuary was completed. Built with a major donation from the Rachel Doddridge Estate, it is a fine example of the gothic revival style of architecture. The brick-clad building features an offset tower, stone detailing, and art glass windows. As the congregation continued to grow, community outreach programs were organized. Church facilities were offered to house victims of hurricanes and devastating storms, and this church helped establish eight new presbyterian congregations in the city. A part of Corpus Christi history for over a century, the First Presbyterian Church continues to serve the community with a variety of religious, educational, and outreach programs.