First Presbyterian Church of Taft

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Way out in San Patricio County, in the little city of Taft, there's a congregation with roots that go back to tent meetings, shared pews, and a pasture company that kept showin up at just the right moment. Let me walk you through it.

In the early twentieth century, area Presbyterians weren't worshipin in anything fancy. They were gatherin in a tent alongside other denominations, with various pastors cyclin through for morning and evening services. No permanent home, no deed to anything.

Just a canvas roof and a shared faith. Then in 1909, the Coleman-Fulton Pasture Co. built a school and assembly hall, and the local Presbyterians and Methodists worked out an arrangement where they took turns holdin services there. Two denominations, one building, no complaints recorded.

By 1918 they were meetin in the school building itself, and two years later, in 1920, something clicked into place. The first Presbyterian church of Taft was officially organized, with twenty-eight charter members signin on. The Reverend C.S.

Long became the church's first minister. And that same year, the Taft Presbyterian and Methodist congregations did somethin you don't see every day. They built a sanctuary together, right here on this site, on land provided once again by the Coleman-Fulton Pasture Co.

That company had a way of bein present at the pivotal moments. The partnership held for a while, but the Presbyterians were quietly consolidatin their position. In 1922, the congregation purchased a house from Rockport, moved it all the way to Taft, and placed it on a lot right next to the sanctuary to serve as the Presbyterian manse.

The following year, they purchased the interest in the sanctuary that had belonged to the Methodists. And in 1924, the Presbyterian membership from Gregory transferred over to the Taft congregation. One piece at a time, the church was becoming its own thing.

Over the next several decades, members added facilities to the property and formed organizations along the way, a women's auxiliary, men's groups, youth groups. The congregation threw itself into regional efforts during World War II. They sponsored other area churches.

They supported a Presbyterian girls' school and ran Vacation Bible School for children not just from their own flock, but from the Rising Star Baptist Church as well. And then there's this detail that I think says somethin about the character of this congregation. Every Christmas from 1957 to 1991, the members put on a live nativity scene.

Thirty-four years of that tradition, right here in Taft. When they finally brought it to a close, they didn't just pack the costumes in a box. They donated them, along with the equipment, to the First Baptist Church.

Passed the tradition along rather than lettin it disappear. Now, the marker is honest about the later years. Membership declined in the late twentieth century, along with the city's own population.

But the congregation, the one that started in a tent and built a church with their Methodist neighbors on land from a pasture company, that congregation continues to serve its community. Twenty-eight charter members and a tent. That's where it began.

What the marker says

In the early 20th century, area Presbyterians met with other denominations in a tent, with various pastors holding morning and evening services. In 1909, the Coleman-Fulton Pasture Co. built a school and assembly hall, where local Presbyterians and Methodists took turns holding services. In 1918, they began meeting in the school building. Two years later, in 1920, the first Presbyterian church of Taft was officially organized with 28 charter members. The Rev. C.S. Long became the church's first minister. That same year, the Taft Presbyterian and Methodist congregations built a sanctuary together on this site, which was provided by the Coleman-Fulton Pasture Co. In 1922, the congregation purchased and moved a house from Rockport to serve as the Presbyterian manse and placed it on a lot adjacent to the sanctuary. The following year, the church purchased the interest of the sanctuary owned by the Methodists, and in 1924, the membership of Presbyterians from Gregory transferred to the Taft congregation. During the next several decades, members added facilities to their church property and also formed various organizations, including a women's auxiliary and men's and youth groups. The church supported regional efforts during World War II and sponsored other area churches, a Presbyterian girls' school and Vacation Bible School for children from their own congregation, as well as from the Rising Star Baptist Church. Church members also held a live nativity scene each Christmas, from 1957 to 1991, later donating the costumes and equipment to the First Baptist Church. Although the membership, along with the city population, declined in the late 20th century, the congregation continues to serve its community. (2004)