Texas Archival Resources Online

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Descriptive Summary

Historical Note

Scope and Contents

Organization

Restrictions

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Description of Series

1. Board of Deacons Minutes

2. Session minutes

3. Joint Board Meeting Minutes

4. Congregational meeting minutes

5. Church Membership

6. Annual Treasurer's reports, Auditor's reports

7. Statistical Reports

8. Women's Organizations

9. "Indexed History"

10. Real Estate & Construction

11. Oral History Transcripts

12. Thomas Talbot Files

13. Maps of foreign missions

14. Probate materials

15. Article 13 materials

16. Church service programs

17. Biographical information

18. Sunday School materials

19. First Presbyterian Church histories

20. Miscellaneous items

21. Scrapbooks

22. First Presbyterian -- Church Newspaper

23. Photographs

Houston Public Library, Houston Metropolitan Research Center

First Presbyterian Church Collection:

An Inventory of its Records at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library



Descriptive Summary

CreatorFirst Presbyterian Church (Houston, Tex.)
Title:First Presbyterian Church Collection
Date Range:1839-1992
IdentificationRG I 8
Extent35 linear feet; 18 record storage cartons, 8 medium-sized flat boxes, 1 oversized document box, 12 unboxed scrapbooks.
LanguageMaterials are in English.
Repository:Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library

Historical Note

First Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest churches in Houston. It was organized on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1839. (Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal Church was formed at about the same time, though there is some dispute as to which church was first.) The church has been located at several locations; currently, it is at 5300 Main Street. Prior to this, it was located in downtown Houston.

Since its founding, First Presbyterian Church has been through its share of hardships as well as prosperous times. Twice, fire has destroyed its buildings. The church has had financial difficulties as well. Throughout its history, First Presbyterian Church has been one of Houston's leading institutions. Its records shed light on various aspects of Houston history, going back almost to the city's founding.

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Scope and Contents

The materials in this collection were collected by HMRC in numerous accessions over a 20-year period. Some of them were obtained after a flood in the church basement, where many of the records had been stored. A number of the records were badly damaged in that incident, and had to be discarded. Those items were photocopied where possible.

Series 1 - 4 consist of minutes of meetings of the church officers and the congregation. These series comprise almost half of the collection. Also contained in this collection are membership and financial records, records dealing with property the church has owned, and architectural and construction records pertaining to the building of the new church facility. The collection contains records of different churchwomen's organizations. Other miscellaneous items are also included, such as oral history transcripts, reminiscences, a selection of office files, scrapbooks, church newspapers, programs to church services, and information regarding important events in the church's history.

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Organization

Organized into 23 series:
  • Series 1. Board of Deacons minutes
  • Series 2. Session Minutes
  • Series 3. Joint Board Meeting Minutes
  • Series 4. Congregational meeting minutes
  • Series 5. Church Membership
  • Series 6. Annual Treasurer's reports, Auditor's reports
  • Series 7. Statistical Reports
  • Series 8. Women's Organizations
  • Series 9. "Indexed History"
  • Series 10. Real Estate & Construction
  • Series 11. Oral History Transcripts
  • Series 12. Thomas Talbot Files
  • Series 13. Maps of foreign missions
  • Series 14. Probate materials
  • Series 15. Article 13 materials
  • Series 16. Church service programs
  • Series 17. Biographical information
  • Series 18. Sunday School materials
  • Series 19. First Presbyterian Church histories
  • Series 20. Miscellaneous items
  • Series 21. Scrapbooks
  • Series 22. First Presbyterian Church Newspaper
  • Series 23. Photographs

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

None.

Use Restrictions

The records may not be used for commercial purposes. No item may by photocopied without prior consent of the First Presbyterian Church. All inquiries respecting the use of any of the records in connection with any publication shall be referred to the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.

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Index Terms

Subjects
Presbyterian Church--Texas--Houston
Organizations
First Presbyterian Church (Houston, Tex.)

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

First Presbyterian Church Collection. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library

Acquisition Information

Placed on deposit at HMRC by the First Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas, in numerous accessions, the first one in July 1980.

Processing Information

Processed by Andrew Hempe, June 1999

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Detailed Description

 

1. Board of Deacons Minutes

The Board of Deacons oversees the operations of the church. It is responsible for managing the church's business affairs, care and maintenance of the church's physical property, preparation of the church's annual budget, advising the elders of the financial condition of the church, receiving and counting the offerings of the congregation, conducting the annual canvass of the church members to secure the budget, and visiting the sick church members and strangers who have visited the church. The Board holds regular monthly meetings as well as special meetings when circumstances warrant them. Deacons serve on committees that oversee various aspects of church operations. This series consists of Diaconate meeting minutes dating from 1886 to 1989.
BoxVolume
11Board of Deacons minutes: 1886-1911, includes letters, other materials
2Board of Deacons minutes: 1912-1923, includes letters, other materials
3Board of Deacons minutes: 1914-1917
4Board of Deacons minutes: 1924-1928 includes financial reports, letters, other materials
5Board of Deacons minutes: 1929-1931
6Board of Deacons minutes: 1932-1934
7Board of Deacons minutes: January 7, 1934-March 13, 1939
8Board of Deacons minutes: April 10, 1939-March 13, 1946
BoxFolder
21Diaconate Minutes, April 10, 1946-December 11, 1946
2Diaconate Minutes, January 15, 1947-December 28, 1947
3Diaconate Minutes, 1948
4Diaconate Minutes, 1949
5Diaconate Minutes, 1950
6Diaconate Minutes, 1951
7Diaconate Minutes, 1952
8Diaconate Minutes, 1953
9Diaconate Minutes, 1954
10Diaconate Minutes, 1955
11Diaconate Minutes, 1956
12Diaconate Minutes, 1957
13Diaconate Minutes, 1958
14Diaconate Minutes, 1959
15Diaconate Minutes, 1960
16Diaconate Minutes, 1961
17Diaconate Minutes, 1962
18Diaconate Minutes, 1963
19Diaconate Minutes, 1964
20Diaconate Minutes, 1965
21Diaconate Minutes, 1966
22Diaconate Minutes, 1967
23Diaconate Minutes, January 1968-May 1968
24Diaconate Minutes, June 1968-December 1968
25Diaconate Minutes, January 1969-May 1969
26Diaconate Minutes, June 1969-December 1969
BoxFolder
31Diaconate Minutes, January 1970-May 1970
2Diaconate Minutes, June 1970-December 1970
3Diaconate Minutes, 1971
4Diaconate Members, Committee assignments, 1972
5Diaconate Minutes, January 1972-May 1972
6Diaconate Minutes, June 1972-December 1972
7Diaconate Minutes, January 1973, and list of board members & committee assignments
8Diaconate Minutes, February 1973
9Diaconate Minutes, March 1973
10Diaconate Minutes, April 1973-December 1973
11Diaconate Minutes, January 1974, and list of board members & bylaws
12Diaconate Minutes, February 1974-June 1974
13Diaconate Minutes, September 1974-December 1974
14Diaconate Minutes, January 1975-May 1975
15Diaconate Minutes, June 1975-December 1975
16Diaconate Minutes, January 1976, plus bylaws, list of board members, and committee assignments
17Diaconate Minutes, February 1976-May 1976
18Diaconate Minutes, June 1976-December 1976
19Diaconate Minutes, January 1977, plus bylaws, list of board members, and committee assignments
20Diaconate Minutes, February 1977-April 1977
21Diaconate Minutes, May 1977-June 1977
22Diaconate Minutes, September 1977-December 1977
23Diaconate Minutes, January 1978, plus list of board members and bylaws
24Diaconate Minutes, February 1978-May 1978
25Diaconate Minutes, June 1978-December 1978
26Diaconate Minutes, January 1979-May 1979
27Diaconate Minutes, June 1979-December 1979
28Diaconate Minutes, January 1980-April 1980
29Diaconate Minutes, May 1980-December 1980
30Diaconate Minutes, 1981
31Diaconate Minutes, 1982
32Diaconate Minutes, January 1983-May 1983
33Diaconate Minutes, June 1983-December 1983
34Diaconate Minutes, 1984
35Diaconate Minutes, 1985
36Diaconate Minutes, 1986
37Diaconate materials, supplementary to minutes, 1986
38Diaconate Minutes, 1987
39Diaconate materials, supplementary to minutes, 1988
40Diaconate Minutes, January 1988-May 1988
41Diaconate Minutes, June 1988-September 1988
42Diaconate Minutes, October 1988-December 1988
43Diaconate Minutes, February 1989-May 1989
44Diaconate Minutes, June 1989-December 1989

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2. Session minutes

Ruling elders in the Presbyterian Church are lay persons elected to govern the congregation. The Presbyterian Church recognizes three offices in the church, that of deacon, ruling elder and teaching elder. A teaching elder is a minister. Each office requires ordination.
BoxVolume
41Session Minutes, March 31, 1839-March 16, 1850
2Session Minutes, February 22, 1850-October 29, 1864
3Session Minutes and Church Register, March 31, 1839-May 6, 1877
4Session Minutes and Church Register, April 8, 1877-April 21, 1892
5Session Minutes, June 12, 1892-August 2, 1892
6Session Minutes, May 22, 1892-April 12, 1897
7Session Minutes, April 18, 1897-April 15, 1907
8Session Minutes, February 11, 1907-April 20, 1913
9Session Minutes, April 1, 1913-March 31, 1917
10Session Minutes, April 1, 1917-March 31, 1922
11Session Minutes, April 1, 1921-March 31, 1927
BoxVolume
51Session Minutes, April 4, 1927-April 15, 1932
2Session Minutes, March 1, 1933-March 31, 1937; includes Congregational meeting minutes and baptism records
3Summary of Session meeting, 1931-1956
1Session Minutes, April 4, 1937-December 26, 1937
2Session Minutes, January 3, 1938-December 25, 1938
3Session Minutes, January 8, 1939-July 28, 1939
4Session Minutes, July 2, 1939-March 31, 1940
5Session Minutes, April 4, 1940-March 30, 1941
6Session Minutes, April 6, 1941-March 29, 1942
7Session Minutes, April 5, 1942-March 28, 1943
8Session Minutes, April 4, 1943-December 19, 1943
9Session Minutes, January 10, 1944-July 23, 1944
10Session Minutes, July 30, 1944-April 11, 1945
11Session Minutes, April 15, 1945-December 30, 1945
12Session Minutes, January 6, 1946-May 26, 1946
13Session Minutes, June 2, 1946-March 30, 1947
14Session Minutes, April 6, 1947-December 28, 1947
15Session Minutes, January 4, 1948-July 25, 1948
16Session Minutes, August 1, 1948-April 10, 1949
17Session Minutes, April 13, 1949-December 25, 1949
18Session Minutes, January 1, 1950-May 28, 1950
19Session Minutes, June 4, 1950-December 31, 1950
BoxFolder
61Session Minutes, January 7, 1951-May 13, 1951
2Session Minutes, May 20, 1951-December 30, 1951
3Session Minutes, January 6, 1952-August 17, 1952
4Session Minutes, August 24, 1952-March 29, 1952
5Session Minutes, April 5, 1953-December 27, 1953
6Session Minutes, January 3, 1954-May 30, 1954
7Session Minutes, June 6, 1954-December 26, 1954
8Session Minutes, January 2, 1955-May 29, 1955
9Session Minutes, June 5, 1955-December 25, 1955
10Session Minutes, January 1, 1956-May 27, 1956
11Session Minutes, June 3, 1956-December 30, 1956
12Session Minutes, January 6, 1957-June 12, 1957
13Session Minutes, June 16, 1957-December 29, 1957
14Session Minutes, January 5, 1958-February 23, 1958
15Session Minutes, March 2, 1958-August 10, 1958
16Session Minutes, August 17, 1958-December 28, 1958
17Session Minutes, January 4, 1959-May 31, 1959
18Session Minutes, June 7, 1959-December 27, 1959
19Session Minutes, January 3, 1960-May 29, 1960
20Session Minutes, June 5, 1960-December 25, 1960
21Session Minutes, January 1, 1961-July 9, 1961
22Session Minutes, July 16, 1961-December 31, 1961
23Session Minutes, January 7, 1962-June 24, 1962
24Session Minutes, July 1, 1962-December 30, 1962
25Session Minutes, January 6, 1963-May 12, 1963
26Session Minutes, May 19, 1963-December 29, 1963
27Session Minutes, January 5, 1964-May 31, 1964
28Session Minutes, June 7, 1964-December 27, 1964
BoxFolder
71Session Minutes, January 3, 1965-June 27, 1965
2Session Minutes, July 4, 1965-December 26, 1965
3Session Minutes, January 2, 1966-June 26, 1966
4Session Minutes, July 3, 1966-December 25, 1966
5Session Minutes, January 1, 1967-June 25, 1967
6Session Minutes, July 2, 1967-December 31, 1967
7 Session Minutes, January 7, 1968-May 26, 1968
8Session Minutes, June 2, 1968-December 29, 1968
9Session Minutes, January 5, 1969-June 11, 1969
10Session Minutes, June 15, 1969-December 28, 1969
11Session Minutes, January 4, 1970-June 28, 1970
12Session Minutes, July 5, 1970-December 27, 1970
13Session Minutes, January 3, 1971-June 2, 1971
14Session Minutes, June 6, 1971-December 26, 1971
15Session Minutes, January 2, 1972-July 30, 1972
16Session Minutes, August 6, 1972-October 11, 1972
17Session Minutes, October 15, 1972-January 7, 1973
18Session Minutes, January 7, 1973-July 1, 1973
19Session Minutes, July 8, 1973-December 30, 1973
20Session Minutes, January 6, 1974-July 7, 1974
21Session Minutes, July 14, 1974-December 29, 1974
22Session Minutes, 1975
23Session Minutes, January 4, 1976-May 30, 1976
24Session Minutes, June 2, 1976-December 12, 1976
25Session Minutes, January 2, 1977-June 26, 1977
26Session Minutes, July 3, 1977-December 25, 1977
27Session Minutes, January 1, 1978-June 25, 1978
28Session Minutes, July 2, 1978-December 31, 1978
29Session Minutes, January 3, 1979-July 13, 1979
30Session Minutes, July 15, 1979-December 30, 1979
31Session Minutes, January 6, 1980-June 29, 1980
32Session Minutes, July 6, 1980-November 11, 1980

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3. Joint Board Meeting Minutes

The Deacons and Elders periodically hold meetings together. The records for many of the meetings held prior to 1946 can be found with the Board of Deacons' minutes.
BoxFolder
81Minutes to Joint Board meeting held March 12, 1931 to discuss resignation of Dr. Jacobs. Includes Dr. Jacob's resignation and other related materials.
2Joint Board meeting minutes, 1946
3Joint Board meeting minutes, 1947
4Joint Board meeting minutes, 1948
5Joint Board meeting minutes, 1949
6Joint Board meeting minutes, 1950
7Joint Board meeting minutes, 1951
8Joint Board meeting minutes, 1952
9Joint Board meeting minutes, 1953
10Joint Board meeting minutes, 1954
11Joint Board meeting minutes, 1955
12Joint Board meeting minutes, 1956
13Joint Board meeting minutes, 1957
14Joint Board meeting minutes, 1958
15Joint Board meeting minutes, 1959
16Joint Board meeting minutes, 1960
17Joint Board meeting minutes, 1961
18Joint Board meeting minutes, 1962
19Joint Board meeting minutes, 1963
20Joint Board meeting minutes, 1964
21Joint Board meeting minutes, 1965
22Joint Board meeting minutes, 1966

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4. Congregational meeting minutes

BoxVolume
8VolumeCongregational meeting minutes, January 14, 1850-April 21, 1870
Extent (microfilm roll 7, item 3)
VolumeCongregational meeting minutes, November 6, 1871-May 20, 1871
23Congregational meeting minutes, 1905
24Congregational meeting minutes, 1906
25Congregational meeting minutes, 1907-1913
26Congregational meeting minutes, 1914-1920
27Congregational meeting minutes, 1921-1938
28Congregational meeting minutes, 1944
29Congregational meeting minutes, 1945
30Congregational meeting minutes, 1946
31Congregational meeting minutes, 1947
32Congregational meeting minutes, 1948
33Congregational meeting minutes, 1949
34Congregational meeting minutes, 1950
35Congregational meeting minutes, 1951
36Congregational meeting minutes, 1952
37Congregational meeting minutes, 1954-1955
38Congregational meeting minutes, 1956-1957
39Congregational meeting minutes, 1958
40Congregational meeting minutes, 1959
41Congregational meeting minutes, 1960
42Congregational meeting minutes, 1961
43Congregational meeting minutes, 1962
44Congregational meeting minutes, 1963-1964
45Congregational meeting minutes, 1965-1969

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5. Church Membership

This series contains church membership information. It includes registers which cover a span of years, in which names were entered alphabetically, and membership lists and directories, which give a picture of the membership at a particular point in time. Also included in this series are lists of members who have died or been dismissed to other churches, as well as lists of baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
Church Registers, directories, membership lists
BoxFolder
9VolumeChurch Register [1839-1891?]
VolumeChurch Register [1890's-1903?]
1Church Directories, 1884, 1885, 1887, 1889, 1891, 1893
2Church Register, ca. 1903-1940's
3Church Register, opened 1903;
includes baptism record
4Membership list, 1950
5Membership list, A-J, 1960
6Membership list, K-Z, 1960
7Membership list, A-G, 1970
8Membership list, H-N, 1970
9Membership list, O-Z, 1970
10Family Directory, 1980
11Membership list, A-L, 1983
12Membership list, M-Z, 1983
13Membership list, A-K, 1990
14Membership list, L-Z, 1990
Other membership information
BoxFolder
915Deaths, dismissals, retired, 1934-1954
16Joining by confession, 1932-1961
17Joining by letter, 1932-1950
18Joining by letter, 1951-1961
BoxFolder
101Joining by reaffirmation, 1932-1961
2Joining by baptism, 1932-1961
3Retired roll, dismissals, deaths, 1948-1953
4Baptisms, 1932-1961
5Weddings, 1932-1961
6Funerals, 1932-1961

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6. Annual Treasurer's reports, Auditor's reports

BoxFolder
107Annual Treasurer's Report, 1907
8Annual Treasurer's Reports, 1909-1911
9Church Finances, 1913
10Annual Financial Statement, 1916
11Annual Treasurer's Reports, 1918-1920
12Annual Treasurer's Reports, 1921
13Financial Statement, Annual Report, 1923
14Financial Statement, Annual Report, 1924
15Annual Auditor's Report, 1925
16Annual Auditor's Report, 1926
17Annual Auditor's Report, 1927
18Annual Auditor's Report, 1928
19Annual Auditor's Report, 1929
20Annual Auditor's Report, January 1, 1930 - March 31, 1931
21Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1931-March 31, 1932
22Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1932-March 31, 1933
23Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1933-March 31, 1934
24Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1934-March 31, 1935
25Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1935-March 31, 1936
26Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1936-March 31, 1937
27Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1937-March 31, 1938
28Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1938-March 31, 1939
29Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1939-March 31, 1940
30Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1940-March 31, 1941
31Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1941-March 31, 1942
32Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1942-March 31, 1943
33Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1943-March 31, 1944
34Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1944-March 31, 1945
35Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1945-March 31, 1946
36Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1947-March 31, 1948
37Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1948-March 31, 1949
38Annual Auditor's Report, April 1, 1949-March 31, 1950
39Annual Accountant's Report, 1953
40Annual Accountant's Report, 1954
41Annual Accountant's Report, 1955
42Annual Accountant's Report, 1956
43Annual Accountant's Report, 1958
44Annual Accountant's Report, 1972

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7. Statistical Reports

BoxFolder
1045Statistical Report, 1946
46Statistical Report, 1947
47Statistical Report, 1948
48Statistical Report, 1949
49Statistical Report, 1950
50Statistical Report, 1951
51Statistical Report, 1953
52Statistical Report, 1954
53Statistical Report, 1955
54Statistical Report, 1956
55Statistical Report materials, 1957
56Statistical Report materials, 1958-1959
57Statistical Report materials, 1960
58Statistical Report materials, 1961
59Statistical Report materials, 1962
60Statistical Report materials, 1963
61Statistical Report materials, 1964
62Statistical Report materials, 1965
63Statistical Report materials, 1966
64Statistical Report materials, 1967
65Statistical Report materials, 1969

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8. Women's Organizations

BoxFolder
111Women's Auxiliary, 1932-1934
2Women's Auxiliary, 1931-1932
3Women's Auxiliary, 1932-1933
4Women's Auxiliary, 1933-1934
5Women's Auxiliary, 1934-1935
6Women's Auxiliary, 1935-1936
7Women's Auxiliary, 1936-1937
8Women's Auxiliary, 1937-1938
9Women's Auxiliary, 1938-1939
10Women's Auxiliary, 1939-1940
11Women's Auxiliary, 1940-1941
12Women's Auxiliary, 1941-1942
13Women's Auxiliary, 1942-1943
14Women's Auxiliary, 1943-1944
15Women's Auxiliary, 1945-1946
16Women's Auxiliary, 1946-1947
17Women's Auxiliary, 1947-1948
18Women's Auxiliary, 1948-1949
19Women of the Church, 1949-1950
20Women of the Church, 1950-1951
21Women of the Church, 1951-1952
22Women of the Church, 1952-1953
23Women of the Church, 1953
24Women of the Church, 1954
25Women of the Church, 1955
26Women of the Church, 1956
27Women of the Church, 1957
28Women of the Church, 1958
29Women of the Church, 1959
30Women of the Church, January-September, 1960
31Women of the Church, October 1960-September 1961
32Women of the Church, October 1961-September 1962
33Women of the Church, October 1962-September 1963
34Women of the Church, October 1963-September 1964
35Women of the Church, October 1964-January 1966
36Women of the Church, January 1966-January 1967
37Minutes of 29th annual meeting of Woman's Auxiliary of Synod of Texas, Presbyterian Church, U.S, 1933
38Minutes of 47th annual meeting, Women of the Church, Presbytery of Brazos, Synod of Texas, 1949
39"Brief Histories of the Ladies Association, The Young Ladies Association, The Westminster Guild"

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9. "Indexed History"

Around 1980, church staff members searched the minutes of the church officer meetings and the Congregational meetings from about 1910-1950, and organized the material topically. Photocopies of pages of meeting minutes dealing with similar topics were placed together. Some of this information is duplicated elsewhere in the collection; however, the topical organization as it exists here is unique. For this reason, these materials were kept with the rest of the collection.
BoxFolder
121Session Records, April 1913-April 1927
2Session Records, October 1927-March 1940
3Membership Information, April 1913-April 1917
4Membership Information, April 1917-March 1921
5Membership Information, April 1921-March 1927
6Membership Information, April 1927-April 1932
7Membership Information, April 1932-March 1940
8Baptisms, April 1913-January 1940
9Dismissals, April 1913-March 1940
10City Missions, April 1913-March 1921
11City Missions, April 1921-January 1940
12Sunday School Information, April 1913-March 1939
13Foreign Missions, April 1913-January 1935
14Deaths, April 1913-March 1940
15Boy Scouts, 1915-1930
16Finances, October 1913-February 1940
17Real Estate Information, December 1917-February 1940
18Library, April 1913-April 1939
19Presbytery, 1924
BoxFolder
131Young People, May 1914-October 1934
2Music, 1922-1937
3Other topics, April 1913-March 1940
4Finances, 1909-1912
5Finances, 1913-1926
6Finances, 1927-1937
7Finances, 1938-1943
8Finances, 1944-1949
9Church Property, 1909-1929
10Church Property, 1930-1937
11Church Property, 1938-1943
12Church Property, 1944-1951
13Reception Committee, Usher Committee, 1914-1949
14Music, 1910-1946
15Mission Churches, 1910-1949
16Institutions, 1910-1949
17Missions - Home, Foreign, 1914-1947
18Ladies Association, 1926-1942

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10. Real Estate & Construction

First Presbyterian Church has owned a fair amount of property since its inception. Included are sites of their own church, the manses, and sites of various missions throughout the city. This series consists of property abstracts, building specifications, and other material related to First Presbyterian Church's real estate holdings.
BoxFolder
141General specifications
2Plumbing specifications
3Electrical specifications
4Air conditioning specifications
5Architectural & construction contracts
6Materials regarding construction of new church, 1941-1942
7Advice on design of new church
8Construction of new church
9Charles L. King correspondence regarding Building Fund campaign
10Building Fund campaign brochures
11Hermann Hospital Estate deed
12Abstracts of Title, Turner Addition
13Abstract of Title, Turner Addition, Blocks 74, 75, 78, 79
14Partial Abstract of Title, Hermann Estate
15Hermann Hospital Estate, other materials
16Hermann Hospital Estate, 1961 materials
17Tuberculosis Hospital
18Colby Court: Correspondence regarding property
19Ormond Place: Deed & Title policy
20Ormond Place deed
21Ormond Place: Abstracts of Title
22Ormond Place: Abstracts of Title
23Glenwood Cemetery
24Homesite 31, LaPorte: Deed
25Option to purchase property at Main & McKinney
26Woodcrest Presbyterian Church (West End Church) Deeds
27Central Park Church
28Sale of property at McKinney & Travis to Houston Public Library, 1901
29Sale of property at McKinney & Travis to First Presbyterian Church, 1924-1926
30Interactions with Rice Institute regarding property at McKinney Av. & Travis St.
31Minutes of Board of Directors meetings of Jesse H. Jones & Co., and Austin & Rusk Realty Co. regarding property at McKinney & Travis, 1929
32Quit-Claim of Austin & Rusk Realty Co. on property at McKinney & Travis, 1929
33First Presbyterian Church vs. John Austin, et al
34Sale of property at McKinney & Travis, 1937
35Sale of property at McKinney & Travis, 1939
36Plat showing location of property owned by First Presbyterian Church, May 19, 1932
37Luke Moore League property
38Mexican Presbyterian Church, 1923-1925
39Mexican Presbyterian Church, 1926-1927
40Mexican Presbyterian Church, 1933-1940
41Abstract of Title, Lot 7, Block 290, Baker Addition: #1410
42Abstracts of Title, Block 290, Lot 7, Baker Addition: #12100, #12709
43Abstracts of Title, Block 290, Lot 7, Baker Addition: #64371, #64513
44Abstracts of Title, Block 443, Lot 13, Baker Addition
45Bellfort Avenue property materials

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11. Oral History Transcripts

These oral histories, most of which were conducted in the fall of 1987, were used by Judy King in her book Except the Lord Build: The Sesquicentennial History of First Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas, 1839-1989.
BoxFolder
151Mrs. James Lester Jones interview, May 1988
2Charlotte Darby Interview, September 10, 1987
3Durrell M. Carothers Interview, August 26, 1987
4Don Berry Interview, August 6, 1987
5Julia Dabney Interview, September 26, 1987
6David Hannah, Jr. Interview, December 7, 1987
7Emmamae Horn Interview, August 31, 1987
8Sarah Elizabeth Boyers Tracy Interview, September 21, 1987
9Suzanne Haden Interview, August 25, 1987
10Ann King Interview, October 7, 1987
11Mildred Rouse Interview, October 28, 1987
12Eugene Benton "Pappy" Jones Interview, September 1, 1987
13Matthew Lynn Interview, July 21, 1987
14Warren S. Bellows Interview, October 6, 1987
15Mr. & Mrs. S. Oden Interview, November 10, 1987
16Scott Red Interview, September 5, 1987
17Scott Red Interview, October 10, 1987
18Harriett Marie Joekel Interview, August 13, 1987
19Bill Berleth Interview, August, 28, 1987
20Fred Hodson Interview, October 31, 1987
21Junius F. Estill, Jr. Interview, September 28, 1987
22Bob Parish Interview, December 12, 1987
23Robert Moffat Interview, September 28, 1987
24Margaret Young Interview, December 19, 1987
25Allen & Ethel Carruth Interview, September 29, 1987
26Mary Jean McFadyen Reminiscences
27Mary Ruth McMorris Interview
28Katherine Gregg Belton Interview, September 24, 1987
29Dr. Jack Lancaster Interview, October 9, 1987
30Alberta Williams Interview, September 11, 1987
31J. T. Mackay Interview, Autumn 1987
32Mrs. Frances Green McCown, August 18, 1987
33Martha Backlund Interview, July 13, 1987
34Charles W. Pabor Reminiscences, July 1979
35Charles Pabor Interview, October 24, 1987
36Marion Alexander, David Red, & Ellen Red Interview, September 7, 1987
37Clara Gribble Interview, November 28 & December 9, 1987
38Virginia Lawhon Interview, September 21, 1987
39Bob Strange Interview, October 23, 1987
40M. Douglas Harper Reminiscences of Charles King, February 1983
41Gustena Schuler Interview, August 4, 1987
42Helen Lancaster Interview, August 18, 1987
43Jack Lancaster comments regarding research questions
44Miss Boyles Interview, 1970
45Ruth Pilkenton Red Reminiscences
46Estelle Sheppard Interview, October 9, 1987
47Oral History Interview Agreements

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12. Thomas Talbot Files

Thomas Talbot was Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church from 1962 to 1978. This series consists of a sample of his office files. Primarily correspondence, it gives a picture of the various activities that pastors at First Presbyterian Church are involved in.
BoxFolder
1548Thomas Talbot correspondence, January-March 1968
49Thomas Talbot correspondence, April-July, 1968
50Thomas Talbot correspondence, August-October, 1968
51Thomas Talbot correspondence, November-December, 1968
52Thomas Talbot correspondence, 1969
53Thomas Talbot correspondence, 1970
54Thomas Talbot correspondence, 1971
55Interoffice correspondence, January-April 1970
56Interoffice correspondence, May-August, 1970
57Interoffice correspondence, September 1970-January 1971
58Session: Witness Committee, 1967-1970
59Session: Commitment Committee, 1967-1970
60Presbytery Information
61Session: Service Committee, 1969
62Session: Committee on Research & Planning
63Session: Subcommittee on Reception & Assimilation of New Members, 1967
64Session: Communicant Classes Committee
65Visitation Prospects
66Session committee reports, 1972
67Leadership Committee, 1970-1971

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13. Maps of foreign missions

BoxFolder
161Map: Foreign Mission Fields of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.
2Map: Our Six Foreign Fields
3Map: China Missions
4Map: Mexico Missions
5Map: Brazilian Missions
6Map: Korea Mission
7Map: Congo Mission

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14. Probate materials

Oliver Ewing estate
BoxFolder
168Oliver Ewing will
9Correspondence: April-August 1957
10Correspondence: September-December 1957
11Correspondence, financial records: January-February 1959
12Correspondence: March-October, 1959
13Correspondence, financial records: 1960
14Correspondence. financial records: 1961
Thornwell Fay, Jr. estate
BoxFolder
1615Thornwell Fay, Jr. will

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15. Article 13 materials

Upon the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the northern and southern branches of the Presbyterian Church in the United States split into separate denominations. They existed as such for over 120 years, until they reunited in 1984. The northern denomination had been known as the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., and the southern denomination as the Presbyterian Church in the United States; the reunited denomination was known as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). As part of the unification agreement, an "escape clause", known as Article 13 of the agreement, allowed churches that had formerly been in the southern denomination to leave the union within 7 years if a majority of the members of their congregations voted to do so. In 1990, a group of First Presbyterian Church members wished to exercise article 13. These members preferred to ally First Presbyterian Church with one of two small Presbyterian denominations: The Evangelical Presbyterian Church or the Presbyterian Church of America.
BoxFolder
1616Photocopy of article 13
17 April-June 1990
18"Concerned Members' Position on Article 13"
19Correspondence, August 1990
20PCUSA & Article 13: The facts are on file
21Evangelical Presbyterian Church
22Correspondence, September-October 1990
23Correspondence, November 1990-March 1991
24Undated correspondence
25Proposed resolutions
26Concerned Members of First Presbyterian Church newsletters
27Loyal Presbyterians newsletter
28Newspaper clippings
29Other Article 13 items

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16. Church service programs

BoxFolder
1630 1890-1899
31 1901-1903
32 1906
33 1916-1922
34 1923-1931
35 1934-1939
36 1940-1950
37 1954-1961
38 1973-1984
39 1992

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17. Biographical information

This series contains biographical material and reminiscences of various people involved with First Presbyterian Church throughout its history.
BoxFolder
1640E. D. Junkin biographical material
41W. Y. Allen reminiscences
42William Hayne Leavell reminiscences
43Alexander Adolf Szabo reminiscences
44J. C. Kidd reminiscences

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18. Sunday School materials

BoxFolder
1645Sunday School Constitution, 1849
46Shorter Catechisms
47Church School materials, 1870's
48Sunday School materials, 1880's
49Sunday School materials, 1890's
50Sunday School materials, 1900's
51Sunday School materials, undated
52Vacation Church School materials, 1940's
53Communicants class, ca. 1945
54Sunday School material, ca. 1947
55Parent Cooperation - Sunday School, 1940's
56Adult Education, ca. 1940's
57Religious education conferences, 1939-1940
58"Workers' Conference" materials - for Sunday school teachers

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19. First Presbyterian Church histories

BoxFolder
1659"History of the Erection of the Church"
601894 History
61Centennial Celebration materials, 1939
62A Brief History of First Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas, 1839-1939
63Except the Lord Build: The Sesquicentennial History of First Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas 1839 - 1939, by Judy King
64"A Brief History of the Second Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas"

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20. Miscellaneous items

BoxFolder
1665Comity dispute with Central Presbyterian Church
66Article from Christian Observer, April 10, 1901, regarding church dedication services on March 31, 1901
67Copy of church charter, ca. 1880
68Usher's Manual, 1963
69Sketches of former First Presbyterian Church buildings
70Men of the Church material, 1943-1946
71Community Church Session minutes, February 1921-January 1926
72Miscellaneous news clippings

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21. Scrapbooks

Women of the Church scrapbooks
Box
17 1957-1958
Box
18 1959
Box
19 1960
Box
20 October 1960-September 1964
Box
21 1964-1967
Box
22 1967
1977-1978
Box
231886 - 1944: Photocopy of scrapbook
1947 - 1951: Photocopy of scrapbook
1952 - 1956: Photocopy of scrapbook
Chapel Bible Class scrapbooks
Box
24Chapel Bible Class #1: 1940-1961
Chapel Bible Class #2 - Collection of Dr. Charles L. King's sermons: 1969
Chapel Bible Class #3: ca. 1970-1974
Chapel Bible Class #4: 1975-1977
Chapel Bible Class #5: 1962, 1970, 1973-1975, 1976-1978
Box
25Chapel Bible Class #6: 1981-1982
Chapel Bible Class #7: 1958, 1975-1978
Chapel Bible Class #8: 1980
Chapel Bible Class #9: 1960-1970, 1978-1979
Chapel Bible Class #10: 1964, 1974-1980
Chapel Bible Class #11: 1976-1977
Chapel Bible Class #12: 1969-1974
Box
26Chapel Bible Class #13: ca. 1959-1970
Chapel Bible Class #14: Easter scrapbook ca. 1970

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22. First Presbyterian -- Church Newspaper

Bound copies, loose on shelf
1969-1970
1971
1972
1973
1974-1975
1976
1977
1979
1980-1982
1983-1984
1985-1986
1987-1988

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23. Photographs

Box
27Photographs - This box contains all photographs not kept in scrapbooks: RG I 8.105-158, 174-259

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