First Presbyterian Church of Taylor

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the First Presbyterian Church of Taylor. Now settle in, because this congregation's story stretches back further than most folks realize, and it takes a few good turns along the way. The history of this church can be traced all the way to 1876, when a Presbyterian congregation right here in Taylor was closely associated with the Presbyterian church over in Georgetown.

The same man led both congregations, the Reverend John McMurray, which tells you something about how thin the pastoral ranks were stretched across Williamson County in those days. The earliest written recognition of the Taylor church turns up in 1878 denominational records, and that same year, March of 1878, trustees for the church purchased this very property. By Thanksgiving of that year, they had a frame sanctuary completed.

Thanksgiving. You want to talk about cutting it close and still having something to be grateful for. And right across the street, the Reverend McMurray was running a school, tending to the education of the community just as he was tending to its spirit.

Then in 1889, the congregation called the Reverend James P. Lyle as the church's first full-time pastor. About a year after that, a home was built right here on the church property to house the pastor's family.

Built with care, no doubt. And then 1900 came along, and a fire destroyed it. Just like that.

The marker doesn't linger on it, and neither should we, except to say the congregation did. Now, by 1895, denominational records had begun referring to this body as the First Presbyterian Church of Taylor, and that name came about following the establishment of a Cumberland Presbyterian church the previous year. Two congregations, same town, similar roots.

And around 1910, they merged, and they kept the name: First Presbyterian Church of Taylor. With two congregations now becoming one, the need for a larger facility arose pretty quick. So in 1912 and 1913, they built a new brick sanctuary.

From a frame building finished by Thanksgiving of 1878 to a brick sanctuary rising in 1912 and 1913, that is a congregation that kept showing up, kept building, and kept the name.

What the marker says

The history of this church can be traced to 1876, when a Presbyterian congregation here was closely associated with the Presbyterian church in Georgetown. The Rev. John McMurray led both congregations, and the earliest written recognition of the Taylor church appears in 1878 denominational records. Trustees for the church purchased this property in March 1878, and a frame sanctuary was completed by Thanksgiving of that year. A school operated by the Rev. Mr. McMurray was located across the street. The Rev. James P. Lyle was called as the church's first full-time pastor in 1889. About a year later a home was built on the church property to house the pastor's family, but it was destroyed in a 1900 fire. Denominational records began to refer to this congregation as First Presbyterian Church of Taylor in 1895, following the establishment of a Cumberland Presbyterian church the previous year. The two congregations were merged about 1910 and retained the First Presbyterian Church name. The need for a larger facility soon arose, and a new brick sanctuary was built in 1912-1913.