First United Presbyterian Church of Athens

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the First United Presbyterian Church of Athens, out in Henderson County. Now, every good story starts somewhere, and this one starts with a man on the move. The Reverend Robert H.

Hodge was born in Tennessee in 1805, and by 1850 he had made his way to Anderson County, Texas. Two years later, he pushed on into Henderson County, and when he got there, he didn't sit still for long. The Reverend Hodge started something called Science Hill Academy, fifteen miles south, and it was the only classical high school in the area at the time.

Think about that. Out here in East Texas, one man setting up the only institution of its kind for miles around. That tells you something about Robert Hodge.

But the academy wasn't his only undertaking. In 1855, he organized what he called The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he did it with nine charter members. Nine.

He chose Athens for its central location in the county, which is a practical kind of thinking you have to respect. When you're building something meant to last, you plant it where the most people can reach it. Now, that little congregation didn't have a building of their own right away.

They had to make do, and make do they did. They met first in the log courthouse on the south side of the square. Then the Masonic Lodge, over at 319 South Palestine, served as a meeting place.

The Baptist Church at 301 South Prairieville was also used for worship. A congregation borrowing space wherever it could find it, holding things together on faith and fellowship. The first structure the congregation actually owned was at 305 East Corsicana.

And then in 1881, a man named John M. McDonald donated the church house. That's the kind of generosity that gets remembered.

The gifts kept coming, and they came from a long way off. The first church bell was given by merchants of New Orleans, Louisiana and St. Louis, Missouri.

Merchants also donated the first organ. You get the feeling that this little church in Henderson County had friends in some far-flung places. Time kept moving, as it does.

In 1907 the congregation united with the northern church, and the name changed to The First Presbyterian Church. The present structure was completed in 1910. Then in 1948 the educational facility was dedicated.

The Pilcher pipe organ, the chimes, and the carillon all came as memorial gifts, each one a token of remembrance from the people who loved the place. And then in 1958, after another merger, the name settled into what it carries today: First United Presbyterian Church. Nine charter members in 1855.

A borrowed courthouse, a borrowed lodge hall, a borrowed Baptist church. A bell rung for the first time thanks to merchants from New Orleans and St. Louis.

That congregation had a long road to walk before they had a home of their own, and every step of it is worth knowing.

What the marker says

The Rev. Robert H. Hodge (1805-1866), a native of Tennessee, immigrated in 1850 to Anderson County, Texas. After two years he came to Henderson County. He began Science Hill Academy (15 mi. S), the only classical high school in the area during that time. The Rev. Hodge organized "The Cumberland Presbyterian Church" in 1855 with nine charter members. He selected Athens for its central location in the county. The fellowship met first in the log courthouse on the south side of the square. The Masonic Lodge, 319 South Palestine, served as a meeting place. The Baptist Church, 301 S. Prairieville, was also used for worship. The first structure owned by the congregation was at 305 E. Corsicana. John M. McDonald in 1881 donated the church house. The first church bell was given by the merchants of New Orleans, Louisiana; and St. Louis, Missouri. Merchants donated the first organ. In 1907 the congregation united with the northern church and the name changed to "The First Presbyterian Church". The present structure was completed in 1910 and in 1948 the educational facility was dedicated. The Pilcher pipe organ and chimes and the carillon were memorial gifts. After another merger in 1958, the name become "First United Presbyterian Church". (1979)