Union Presbyterian Church, 700 Fisk in Brownwood, is getting an early start celebrating its historic 150th anniversary by making a donation to help preserve local history.

A check for $1,875 was presented to the Brown County Museum of History at its August board meeting. That figure is significant, because 1875 was the year the first of two Presbyterian churches in Brownwood was organized. Those congregations merged to form Union Presbyterian Church in 1967.

The Brown County Museum of History, first housed exclusively in the Old Jail, has been serving the community since 1983, preserving local history and heritage.

“The museum is very grateful for this generous gesture,” said Dion White, board president. “We congratulate Union Presbyterian Church on its 150th anniversary and are honored to have been chosen as the recipient of this celebratory donation.”

“Union Presbyterian is a longtime friend of the Museum,” said Kyndall Howard, museum director. “We proudly use porcelain dinnerware gifted us by the church for our May afternoon tea events. They are wonderful downtown neighbors.”

“Both Presbyterian churches were established in the mid-1870s just as the pioneer town was beginning to establish itself as a major agricultural hub,” said the Rev. Doug House, pastor. “Through multiple generations, members of these congregations have honored God by loving God’s creation, devoting themselves to serving Christ by offering their time and resources to help those in need.”

Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which in 1906 became Austin Avenue Presbyterian Church, was organized on September 18, 1875. First Presbyterian Church was founded on September 10, 1876. While it wasn’t the first Presbyterian church in the city, it was the first of its denomination.

In his book “Something About Brown,” historian Dr. T.R. Havins identified the Cumberland congregation as the first church to organize in Brownwood.

“This donation signals the beginning of an observance that will continue through 2026,” said Dr. Sue Jones, co-moderator of the anniversary committee. “In coming months, additional announcements will highlight the legacies that our congregation and community share.”

Jones is the great-granddaughter of the Rev. Dr. B.T. McClelland, who was the founder and first pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Brownwood. He also was the first president of Daniel Baker College.

“The amount of the gift is modest compared to the size of the museum’s ongoing needs, but we hope any recognition will inspire others to consider what they can do to help,” committee Co-Moderator Gene Deason said. “As the community builds a bright future, it’s also important to appreciate its past.”

Cumberland, which in 1906 became Austin Avenue Presbyterian Church, was located at Irma and Austin Avenue. After the congregations united, the vacant structure was damaged by lightning and condemned by the city.

First Presbyterian’s first worship facility was at Fisk and East Anderson. The move to its current location at 700 Fisk was completed in 1923. As was the case with most pioneer churches, members met at a local school until they could build their own worship centers.

Commemorative activities for the anniversaries of the two founding congregations are still being developed and will be announced during 2025 and 2026, church officials said.

One event currently in the works is the unveiling of a Texas Historical Marker proposed for the corner of Fisk and Depot celebrating the history of Presbyterian churches in Brownwood. The marker was approved in July by the Texas Historical Commission and is awaiting acceptance of wording and manufacture.

[Article by Gene Deason]