First Presbyterian Church
Fannin and 3rd Sts., Van Horn, TXConstructed in 1902 on land donated by the Texas and Pacific Railroad, the First Presbyterian Church of Van Horn, Texas was the first permanent, Protestant religious structure in Culberson County, Culberson County was originally organized out of the one-time larger El Paso County to the west. The organization papers of Culberson County and the selection of Van Horn as the County Seat were filed and approved in Austin, Texas on January 5, 1912. Named in honor of David B. Culberson, Colonel in the Texas Infantry and the Confederate Army, Culberson County is the third largest county in Texas, Van Horn, like so many West Texas cities, came into existence in the 1880s in direct response to railroad development. The Texas and Pacific Railroad dictated the settlement patterns of Culberson County as it and other railroads did in every West Texas County.
The First Presbyterian Church of Van Horn was organized in 1901 by Dr. Finch and the present structure was completed by 1902, William Fairly served as the second pastor of the church after Dr. Finch, Succeeding ministers have included: Rev. Miller, Rev. Bidwell, Rev. Mc Murray, Rev. Galloway, Rev. Elder, and finally Rev. John Byrd.
The small annex to the rear of the church building originally served as temporary quarters for the resident minister until the present manse on an adjoining lot was built in 1913.
Traditionally, the First Presbyterian Church has served the community of Van Horn as a center for religious and social activities throughout this century. Functioning originally as an interdenominational church, the present structure housed several other denominations before the construction of their own houses of worship.
The scene of prominent Van Horn weddings, funerals, and seasonal social functions, the First Presbyterian Church of Van Horn served as a church until its recent desanctification and transfer of ownership to the Culberson County Historical Survey Committee.
Local members of the Historical Survey Committee look forward to the physical restoration of the First Presbyterian Church of Van Horn and to the "restoration of the structure to its place of prominence in the community as a scene of town meetings, lectures, community presentations, and museum displays on the history of Van Horn and greater Culberson County.
Local significance of the building:
The First Presbyterian Church of Van Horn was organized in 1901 by Dr. Finch and the present structure was completed by 1902, William Fairly served as the second pastor of the church after Dr. Finch, Succeeding ministers have included: Rev. Miller, Rev. Bidwell, Rev. Mc Murray, Rev. Galloway, Rev. Elder, and finally Rev. John Byrd.
The small annex to the rear of the church building originally served as temporary quarters for the resident minister until the present manse on an adjoining lot was built in 1913.
Traditionally, the First Presbyterian Church has served the community of Van Horn as a center for religious and social activities throughout this century. Functioning originally as an interdenominational church, the present structure housed several other denominations before the construction of their own houses of worship.
The scene of prominent Van Horn weddings, funerals, and seasonal social functions, the First Presbyterian Church of Van Horn served as a church until its recent desanctification and transfer of ownership to the Culberson County Historical Survey Committee.
Local members of the Historical Survey Committee look forward to the physical restoration of the First Presbyterian Church of Van Horn and to the "restoration of the structure to its place of prominence in the community as a scene of town meetings, lectures, community presentations, and museum displays on the history of Van Horn and greater Culberson County.
Architecture; Religion
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
About Culberson County
Culberson County Timeline
Culberson County, Texas, located in the southwestern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American groups, such as the Apache and Comanche tribes, who roamed the vast expanses of land. These tribes hunted the abundant wildlife and adapted to the harsh desert environment.
The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century brought significant changes to the region. The Spanish established missions and presidios in the area, seeking to convert the Native Americans to Christianity and establish control over the land. However, conflicts between the Spanish settlers and the indigenous peoples were common, and the region remained relatively unpopulated.
In the mid-19th century, the region that is now Culberson County became part of the United States after the Texas Revolution. The county itself was established in 1911, named after David B. Culberson, a prominent Texan lawyer and politician. At this time, the area was primarily used for ranching, with cattle grazing on the grasslands.
The discovery of oil in the early 20th century led to a boom in Culberson County's economy. The establishment of oil fields and drilling operations brought an influx of workers and boosted the local population. However, the oil industry faced ups and downs, with periods of prosperity followed by decline.
Today, Culberson County continues to be primarily rural, with a small population. The county's economy is based on agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism. The vast and rugged landscape of Culberson County attracts outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who come to explore the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and experience its stunning desert beauty.
The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century brought significant changes to the region. The Spanish established missions and presidios in the area, seeking to convert the Native Americans to Christianity and establish control over the land. However, conflicts between the Spanish settlers and the indigenous peoples were common, and the region remained relatively unpopulated.
In the mid-19th century, the region that is now Culberson County became part of the United States after the Texas Revolution. The county itself was established in 1911, named after David B. Culberson, a prominent Texan lawyer and politician. At this time, the area was primarily used for ranching, with cattle grazing on the grasslands.
The discovery of oil in the early 20th century led to a boom in Culberson County's economy. The establishment of oil fields and drilling operations brought an influx of workers and boosted the local population. However, the oil industry faced ups and downs, with periods of prosperity followed by decline.
Today, Culberson County continues to be primarily rural, with a small population. The county's economy is based on agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism. The vast and rugged landscape of Culberson County attracts outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who come to explore the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and experience its stunning desert beauty.
Culberson County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Culberson County, Texas.
- 1911 - Culberson County is established.
- 1927 - The town of Van Horn is incorporated.
- 1942 - Construction of the Van Horn Army Airfield begins.
- 1969 - Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin visit Van Horn during a nationwide tour.
- 2006 - Jeff Bezos purchases land in Culberson County for his private aerospace company, Blue Origin.