First Presbyterian Church
Canyon, Texas
In March,
1891, eleven residents of Randall County met in the courthouse
and organized First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Until 1902 the congregation participated in union services
with other Protestant denominations. In mid-June the "new"
church was dedicated. This 1,400 square foot structure, originally
located on the southeast corner of 5th Avenue and 11th Street,
served a growing congregation until the fall of 1926. Randall
County's growth and the Church's melding into the Presbyterian
Church USA during the First World War helped promote a demand
for a larger facility. A building campaign was begun in 1924
and resulted in the second home for the Canyon Presbyterians
at 1319 5th Ave. in October, 1926.

We
must admire the optimism of these 1920's Calvinists. Agriculture
was suffering severely during the decade; two years after the new
red brick structure opened, Wall Street crashed. The Great Depression
stretched out the payoff of the Church into the Second World War.
Yet the Presbyterians continued to increase in numbers. The post-war
boom was economic and human. A need for expansion of church school
space helped create another building boom. Periodic campaigns waxed
and waned during the '50s and '60s but no concrete action was taken.
Toward the
end of a congregational meeting in December of 1970 a question
was raised about what had happened to the plans for a new church
building. The ensuing dialogue resulted in the formation of one
in a series of committees to explore the possibilities and, finally,
a formal buliding committee to plan and oversee the construction
of a new physical plant. After much prayer and many discussions,
land was acquired, architects employed, details polished and,
in July, 1973, ground was broken for the third home for Canyon
Presbyterians. Construction moved apace and on May 12, 1974, the
initial communion and worship service was conducted in our present
building.
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