| Marker Text |
This congregation traces its history to the early years of Austin and the missionary activities of the Rev. Daniel Baker. After a visit to Austin in 1848, Daniel Baker recommended the organization of a Presbyterian congregation in the city. His son William M. Baker, newly ordained to the Presbyterian ministry, arrived here in May 1850 and organized the First Presbyterian Church. Among the five charter members was master builder Abner Cook, who later built the Texas Governor's Mansion. The first sanctuary, built in downtown Austin on land donated by Cook, was completed in 1851. It was replaced by a stone structure in 1890. The congregation continued to worship at the downtown site until 1960, when they relocated to Jackson Street in north central Austin. The church moved to new facilities at this site in 1978. Historic stained glass windows and the original cornerstone from the 1890 stone sanctuary were incorporated into the design of the new building. The First Presbyterian Church of Austin continues to serve its members and the community with a variety of worship educational and outreach programs. (1990) |
