First Presbyterian Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'm gonna give it to you straight. Way down in Hidalgo County, in the Rio Grande Valley, a congregation was about to put down roots that would hold for generations. It starts in 1920, when area Presbyterians built a manse, a pastor's home, under the supervision of the Reverend Horace N.

Cunningham. And since they had the building, they went ahead and held services there too. Practical people, these Presbyterians.

Then came January 1921, and seven charter members gathered together and organized First Presbyterian Church. Seven. You don't need a crowd to start something that lasts.

They completed a proper church building in 1923, and that building served them well, right up until 1951, when the congregation had grown enough to need something bigger. The replacement they built was designed by a noted area architect who also happened to be one of their own, a church member by the name of William C. Baxter.

Now that's a detail worth savoring. The man designing your sanctuary worships in it too. All the while, this congregation kept its eyes turned outward.

Members worked with the needy, running outreach activities for low-income residents along the U.S.-Mexico border. They also supported the organization of the Spanish-speaking San Pablo Presbyterian Church, extending the mission beyond their own four walls. Today, First Presbyterian Church of Weslaco is still at it, still serving as a spiritual leader in the community.

Seven charter members in January of 1921, and the work they started is still going. That's not a building. That's a foundation.

What the marker says

In 1920, area Presbyterians built a manse under the supervision of the Rev. Horace N. Cunningham; services were held in the building. In January 1921, seven charter members organized First Presbyterian Church. They completed a church building in 1923; it was replaced in 1951 by a larger church, designed by noted area architect and church member, William C. Baxter. Members have long worked with the needy, including outreach activities for low-income residents on the U. S. - Mexico border. The congregation also supported organization of the Spanish-speaking San Pablo Presbyterian Church. Today, First Presbyterian Church of Weslaco continues to serve as a spiritual leader in the community. (2010)