OF?L~EP? NCJ. .~3f3~fJ
}t;G:~EZCiV;-1L t1F A 'fh:.tlPCtP.o-iRY L.CiCRTSC~PI F'CaR THE
CaL.L titv:LOhJ C_I-il!RC_ti
:'?r; i:tx= tl-te .1~1t1-, da~•, of fieL-r~.~arv i937, i.~pon mo't<iori m:.xde ty
Cornrni.si.nnF:~rr t_E>t;~, s>ecor~ded by Ccmm:i.=_,s,i.r,ner- fle'h].er, the Gnurt
unanimo~_isly approved by a vote of 5-Qi-0, ht-re te~nnerar,y
Inc°.atian fer tF~ta 01.1 t_Jnic;ri Ch~_~rtr.Fr a*-~ i,t'~e vac_ar~t Iot ~:~!a.)ar.er-ri;
+: r.; t:he City.•'Cc~unty F?ecycl.e CE'Ylter"
COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST
PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND FIVE COPIES OF THIS REQUEST AND DOCUMENTS
TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT.
~ ~ ~ .3 5« ~ ~~G~=6
8 ~ i.~ ,
L
~, ~
MADE BY: -,~~~f /''l OFFICE: /~~ ' = / t~ r ~ . t ~ ,
MEETiivG DATE:~~~ T>ME PREFERRED: ~,~ ,
SUBJECT: (PLEASE BE SPECIFIC) !'~`w~ ~j2~~ ~'-~/ "
1, ~j~ .~~/~ { , Q ~}~/ , n
J~~U~jJ"y-'Z~l~'~ ~~rC'~-"~'l??~."%/C ~-'~~~.-G~~J ~[l~4'i4'i~~r
EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON)
ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION:
IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE
v, r
t ~ i`
NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: '~~:7J /' ~/ qq'" ~ ~'~("i7ff' `_rE~~fi
J
Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5,
Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows:
Meeting scheduled for Mondays:
THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY:
THIS REQUEST RECEIVED ON
5:00 P.M. previous Monday.

All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has
been prepazed for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will
b~ appreciated and contribute towards you request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda
Request Rules Adopted by Commissioners' Court.
i7RCrEF2 Nt). c~917
FiCCE4=''fANC:E: OF OLll UNICiN Cf1URCH WHICH tJF-1S
GIVEN TO Ti-1E' f:ERR COUNTY HI'~,TORICgI__ COMP-lISSION
I3Y JIt+I NUGENT
Or) this the ~::3r•d day of October 1995, ~_ipon motion made 6y
Judge llenson, seconded by CommisslOnE?1• HOlf?kamp, the Co~.irt
unanimously approved by a vote of 4-0-0, to ar-~c:ept the Old
Union Church Ri_iilding and have Commissioner Lacl<ey, and
Commissioner Lehman represent the Co~_)rt to find a good
location for said building.
COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST
PLEASE FURNISH UNE l~ttti,iNAL AND FIVE COPIES OF TH[S REvuEST r-ivv I'iOCL1b1ENTS
TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT.
MADE BY Wanda Henderson
MEETING DATE: October 23 1995
Chairman of Kerr
OFFICE. Cozen y HAG o ~ a
Cotnmi s sion
TIME PREFERRED: 10:3 0 a . m.
SUBIECT (PLEASE BE SPECIFIC) Discussion and consideration of available
property for placetnent of the building that once housed the Union Church,
the oldest church in Kerrville.
E~CUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED (PLEASE STATE REASON)
ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION:
IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE:
NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT:
Wanda Henderson
Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5,
Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows:
Meeting scheduled for Mondays:
THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY
THIS REQUEST RECEIVED ON
(u)
All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has
been prepared for the Caurt's forma( consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperatian will
be appreciated and contribute towards you request being addressed at the earliest opportunity See Agenda
Request Rules Adapted by Commissioners' Court.
5:00 P.M.previous Tuesday.
iherr (~uuut~ 3;~iistnrifnl l~nmmissinn
~.~~. ;dux zoea
i~erruille. ~'exae 7HHZH-2tlH4
October 23, 1995
Kerr County Judge Bob Denson and Kerr County Commissioners:
On behalf of the Kerr County Historical Commission, we respectfully
request your consideration of the acquisition of the building that housed the
-first church in Kerrville, the old Union Church as it was then (mown. The
current owner, Jim Nugent, has agreed for the Historical Commission to be the
recipient of the building that is presently located on his lot on Francisco
T.emos Street in Kerrville; however, it will become necessary to move the
building to a permanent location.
You have in hand a well-researched history of the church and we have
brought current pictures of the building in its present state. The Historical
Commission is in the process of applying for a Historical Site designation for
the church through the Texas Historical Commission in Austin hoping to create
interest in its existence and perhaps bring forth people interested in its
restoration. In fact, one group has already said that it would help in moving
the building.
With the current Kerrville Main Street Program in progress, there will
be personnel from the Texas Historical Commission coming here periodically
who could assist with this restoration program and we feel that there are
many retirees in this area with available expertise who would be willing to
help as well.
We are here today to request your consideration of the acceptance of this
building that meant so much to the early settlers of Kerrville and also to
discover possible sites on which it might be permanently placed so that
future generations may be benefited.
SinceCr~ely,~ - /
~'`~`~t"!L l.~'Cc Cc: /r,~:CR7c~ C/,/%~~JGII-'fit l`.
Focal
KERB COUI~TY SCRAPBOOK t ~ ~ ~m ~~ ~~'~~_ I
Religion practiced long before there was church building
The great majority of Kerrsvil-
le's pioneers were churchgoers
and put religion in practice in
their homes long before there
was a public place to worship.
Two years before Kerr County
and KensvilJe were created in
1856, the Upper Guadalupe Riv-
er Valley was regularly visited by
intinerant Methodist preachers.
A Methodist mission was orga-
nized in the tiny village in 1856,
under the charge of James M.
Stringfield. The mission didn't
have its own building. Instead, it
vas operated out the old cypress
log cabin that served as the set-
tlement's first school house.
Tn 1858, under O.B. Adams,
the Meihodis! mission listed 49
members; 35 white prospects;
and one "colored" prospect.
The following year, the church
was preacherless and mem-
bership had dropped by two peo-
ple. In 1860, T.M. Rice was the
pastor of the mission. He was re-
lieved by R.H. Mangham in 1862.
There was no other organized
church Sn Kerr County until after
the Civil War.
On Nuv. 4, 1876, according to
the "rYfinutes of Kerr County
Commissioners Court -Book
C,"a petition was presented by a
group of Kerrville -the town's
name had been changed by this
district courtroom be granted
"for use as a place oC worship of
the Almighty God." The court's
order provided that the citizens
would be responsible for
safekeeping of the building and
that they pay the sheriff com-
pensation of $S a day. At that
time, it was specified that "no
distinction shall be made be-
tween associations, sects, claws
or denominations in the com-
munity.
Services in the courthouse
continued to be held for six
months, but for a number of
reasons this system proved un-
satisfactory fo the residents.
During this time, Mrs. Whit-
field Scott, who had come to
Kerr County with her husband,
Capt. Whitfield Scott, a Con-
federate veteran, and her sister
Miss Laura Gill, began to solicit
funds for the building of an all-
denomination Union Church.
'I'ttey later were joined in their
efforts by Mrs. J.M. Starkey, a
Methodist, and bars. Adeline Col-
eman, a member of the Christian
faith.
These ladies went from house
to house on horseback and wrote
letters to newspapers of the day
to stimulate interest in their pro-
ject.
Thrngl!h the-ir perseverance,
the money was collected and the
Union Church was completed in
time for Christmas 1885. The two
lots for the building, at the corner
of Clay and Main streets, were
donated to the cause by Capt.
Charles Schreiner.
For several years thereafter,
all denominations in the com-
munity used the church building.
The Methodists had the building
on the first Sunday of the month;
Presbyterians, the second
Sunday; Baptists the third; and
the Christian Church, the fourth
Sunday.
After 1919, when the other de-
nominatinrrs had erected their
own places of worship, the
C}turch of Christ used the old
building. By 1925, the Christian
faith was the roily one left in the
historic structure.
On Sept. 9, 1925, the property
was deeded to the First Christian
Church. The used the building
for another 30 years.
In 1955, a new First Christian
Church was built in west Kerrvil-
le and the old Union Church
building was sold to private in-
terests. The structure was
moved from its original location
to Lemos Street and for many
years operated as an A~~my-Navy
Surplus store.. Currently the old
church building sits abandoned.
OLD UNION CIiURCH WAS KERRVILLE'S FIRST CHURCH
...Originally located at corner ofl6fain and Clay Streets
Union Church
home to 1st
Presbyterian
congregation
-' Edftor's Note: The following is
one in a series of articles written in
cooperation with the Kea County
Historical Commission cortceming
the people, places and history behind
Kea County historical markers.
By MICHAEL BOWLIN
Times Staff Writer
KERRVILLE -The history of
the First Presbyterian Church in
Kemille can trace its roots back W
the early 1870s when Mrs. Whitfield
Scon and her sister Laura Gill began
w collect money to build the first
church building in the community.
In 1885, the Union Church was
completed and four denominations
began to hold services in the large
white frame building. Presbyterians
met in the church on the second Sun-
day of the month.
three ~ later, rite presbyte- Si ns of Old Times
' runs agonized arts begin w solit:it g
funds ro build their own church. The
12-member-strong congregation atempotarysupptypastor.His"[em-
was assisted in their fund raising ef- porary" stay lasted until 1944.
- fats by the Rev. William B. Bucha- It was also decided that year that a
non, an evangelist of the Austin Pre- new manse would be built eta cost
sbytery of the NoMern Presbyterian not to exceed $7,500 and it was dur-
Church. ing this decade that a church mini-
According to records the un- suy was begun on the local radio
. named goal was reached through a station.
} dpnation from Mrs. A.C.
~a)"SeNreinet`; tlaoghter of Mrsi- The Rev. William M. Lo an was
"callt9l-as'"pasibr tsPtlic"KCiiLiite °'
Eleven yearn oiler its establish- church in January1945anditwashe
~` mrnt, steps were taken to tranfer who is credited with increasing the
coated of the con gation to the size of the congregation to more than
Southern Presbytrna~Chtuch. Asa 500 communicants by the end oC the
rtxtdt, the Kerrville church rearmed decade. By the end of 1950, that
~ ~~ ~y~t ~~ ~ ~ number had increased to 721.
building to the Austin chtuch. The Rev. Logan resigned his Ker-
The Rev. Edgar L. Storey was rville pastorate in 1953 to accept a
called as pasta of the Kemilte position at the University Presbyte-
chun;h and served in that capacity rian Church in Austin. His replace-
until 1902. Through his leadership, ment, the Rev. Richard G. Ryan,
the oongregatian increased 58 peo- took over in Decemcber of that year.
pie, which was a little more than one plans to build a fellowship hall
percentofKetrCouttrypopulationat and to remodel the sanctuary were
~ time, announced by the congregation in
In 1905, the Synod of Texas, Pre- 1958. The Session also used to
sbysriian Church, U.S. estabGshal a purchase the property east oC the
reutat fttttiliry in Kerrville that was youth building for future expansion.
to be wood by Presbyterians Crum Constructan on the new fellowship
throughtwt the aypod during the hall commena~d in 1960 as did the
sttmmx mantttr, In xr it de b albw remodeling oC the sanctuary. While
,;~,.:;"-tlte ramtbera itf*the, ICe{rylUe.Ppa,.- ,. this remodeling. was being done the
sbyterian clt a chance to'avail congregation` met at the Kerrville
themselves to the benefits of the en- Municipal Auditorium.
campmrnt, ro services a other In 1966, a lot on the corner of
• ' °imeetings were tiekl at the church
'^s: daring ~~ ~~• ;; Washington and Jefferson was pur-
The Congregation of the Presby[e- chased by the church resulting in the
rian church in Kerrville had whole blak fronting Jefferson
:. Eb newly 160 le by 1923,17tat Street being under the church's
same yrar thrw~i gerterous gift aC ownership.
A.C. dS ireiner, one of five sons of In 1975,attherxommendationof
• ° the Cap. Charles Schreiner, a new a church expansim committee, the
" sancnrary was erected on the corner education building was remodeled
of Washington and Earl Garrett to include administrative offices.
streets. Several new classrooms were
Thewmmunican[membersofthe erected as was alibrary-audiovisual
Presbyterian church increased by certrer. In addition, a paved parking
more than 60 rcent to 257 people tot was conswcted at the comer of
by the time 1930 rolled around, In Jefferson and Washington streets.
- _ August o[ that year, the Rev. Paul S. The church is under the current
Van Dyke was called to the pulpit as pastorship of the Rcv. Tan Cuaie.
"``,-`.~
n~~~
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN '91
...Union Church was 1st home for congregation
Local . ~Cr~•ruiltr ~;
First church in Kerrville,
built in 1884, still stands
EDITOR'S NOTE -The fol-
bwing is one of a series of arti-
des written in cooperation with
the Kerr County Histortcal Com-
mission about the people and
In a Itttle toss than a
(5219.50) was raised. The
by A. A/ten to/ 5190.
year, suHlc/ent money
church was constructed
daces behind Kerr unty's 45
Texas Historical Markers.
ey 1pICHAEL BOWLIN
Times Staff Writer
KERRVIi.LE =For almost 20
years after after Kerr County was
first settled in 1856, preaching was
done by circuit riders in homes or at
tamp meetings.
One of the most famous of the
saddleback reverends was the
"fighting parson" Andrew Jackson
Potter.
in 1876, an arrangement was
made to hold church services in dte
dd couMause building. This soon
proved unsadsfactay and the meet-
ing place was moveei to the Old Par-
son Hall.
Around 1883, Mts. Whitfield
(Harriet) Scat, a Presbyterian lady
of action, determined that a perma-
rterttchurch needed ao tz built in the
community. She enlisted the help o('
her sister, Laura Gill (later Mrs.
W.G. Garret[), Mrs. J.M. Starkey, a
Methodist and Mrs. Adeline Cole-
man, a member of the Christian
Church.
By horseback and buggy the wo-
men made house to house vista to
residents throughout soliciting do-
natiaas. In addition, Mrs. Scoa sent
letters to friends and relatives
throughout the cotnury asking far
contributions. She even sent a letter,
which,she entitled "An Urgent Call,"
to the readers of the "Presbyterian
Observer," stating the need for a
church in Kemille when any de-
nanination could,worship.
Tn a. Gttk Tess than a year, suffi-
cient money (52I9:SOj was raised.
The church was constructed by A. gat still site there today, abandoned.

Hill Count
Signs of Old Times
Allen for S190. The building,
38-feet by 50-fee4 was conswcted
on two lots (100-feet by 208-feet)
donated to the Union Church Asso-
ciation of Kemille by Capt. Charles
Schreiner. The bts were at the ear-
ner of Clay and Main streets.
The balance of the fundraising ef-
fort, 529.50, was used to purchase
wooden chairs for the new building.
The pulpit Bible for the new church
was donated by a Nick Tengg: a
bookstore owner in San. Antomo.
After the building was completed,
an agreement was drawn up where
the "Methodist Episcopal Church
shall have the use of the building on
the fast Sabbath of each month and
the ensuing week. The Cumberland
Presbyterian Church shall have the
use of the building on the second
Sabbath and ensuing wcek• the Mis-
sionary Baptist, the third Sabbath
and the Chnstian Church, the fourth
Sabbath:' Others were to use the
building by permission for religous
services.
The first service was held in the
new church on Der. 24, 1885, with
all four denominations taking part.
As each denomination became
more established in the county, they
brdce away from the Union Church
and built sanctuaries of their own to
where finally only the Christian
Church members were the only ones
using the building. It is ungwan
whether they held services every
Sunday or cmtinued with them just
once a month,
In 1901, the church was a 'n
multi-denominational when the
Lutherans began holding services
Utere. They continued using the
building until 1914. From 1918 to
1924, the ChLrch oCChrist met in the
building and they were followed for
a short while by the Jehovah's
Witness.
In 1925, the tttttx denominations
who wem joint owners with the
Christian Church relinquished their
separate interest in the church build-
, ing to the Christian Church. On
Chrisunsa Eve, 1925, the church
was officially dedicated and offi-
cially became know as the First
Christian Church.
With a couple of additions, the
building continued to serve the First
Christian faith unfit the early 1950s.
On Dec. 30,1953, the church trvs-
tees went before the Kerr County
Commissioners Court to clear the
tide to the land on which the church
building set. A seWement insulted in
13 Kemille churches disclaiming
any owtterahip to the property.
On March 14, 1954, s sales con-
tract was drawn up to sell the two
tots to Kemille businessman L.T.
Davis for S25,000. Davis, in rum,
leased the lots to Texaco.
A stipulation in the sale agree-
ment said that the church had six-
months [o remove existing build-
ings. The buildings were eventually
sold and and moved to what was
knovm as "rho Settlement." Later,
the rosin church building was re-
modekdand moved to Water Street
where Gibson's Discount Stole now
stands, where it served as an Atmy
surplus store. It again was moved to
216 Lemos Letups where it again
operated as an Army surplus store. L

~-9-2/

HISTORIES OF OID UNION CHURCH AND WHAT IS NOYP THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
( ~ ,
Mrs. W. H. Storey, Mrs. Irma Nations, Mrs. Cy Young
(We are indebted to Mrs. A.C. Schreiner for information used in this story)
When Mrs. Whitfield Scott came to Kerr county and found it a small pioneez"
village frith no place in which she could worship, she decided that she could
not'bear,to live and rear a fami?,y without the aid of a church. She, with
the assistance of a young friend, Mrs. Gill, started out among their fellow
citizens to collect money to builc},a church.
One of ~4Y moet_pleasant hours was the one spent in the home of Mrs. A. C.
Schreiner Sr., listening to her ,graphic descriptions of how her mother, Mrs.
Scott, built the Union Church. _._
Mrs. Scott and i,nra. will arovn from house to hawse, not only in Kerrville
but throughout the county soliciting funds. It was hard xork. People were
poor, soma did not believe in churches. But through the indanitable per-
severance of the ladies, the money was finally collected. Not only was every
resident of Kerr county asked to give, but mat't' letters were xrittan to
friends far away for aid.
Among the many newspaper clippings concerning the chureh~ in the possession
of Mrs. Schreiner, are several showing how and where this money xas obtained
One is a clipping from the Observer, of the year 1885, and gives an interest.
ing description of religious conditions in Kerrville at that time. Here is
the letter dust ae it was written with the heading ~~An Urgent Call~~
Dear Readers of the Observer:
'~I wish to make a plain statement of facts concerning religious matters in
this country, hoping that this artinle will arrest the attention and awaken
the sympathies and interest of more fortunate pets ms, living in the enjoy..
mart of Christian privileges.
iPe have no place for xorship, excepting an unfinished Episcopalian church
xhoae doors are only open to pastors of their own faith.
The court house and public school buildings are not allowed to be used far
~ ahurch or Sabbath school purposes.
A petition was circulated last year through the eounty~ begging the
privilege of holding Sabbath school in the court house, Having been
largely signed and presented to the county ccsmnisaionera~ our request was
granted for six months. 'That time has now expired, and tvo are not inclined
to repeat the c er'._^_c:tt~ but prefer to submit to the pawera that bo,
Christiana era few in numbor~ most of thorn poor unorganized and dis-
oouraged~
Society suffers in consequences and our dear Kerrville boys are growing ap
to be mockers and scoffers of our pure religion and desecrators of the holy
Sabbath day. So we moat build a ohurch~ Have takes preliminary steps.
Have raised sufficient furYia to buy ell building materiels. Trustees have
been elected, a building committee appointed a lot secured, and all of
this has bean accomplished by the efforts of a few ladies of Chia place.
'He are pledged to raise the balanco and work is to begin at once but
Where the remaining four hundred dollars is to be aecured~ we do not knar{~
Times are han3, but few people are able to contribute to asprthing but the
maintenance of their own families, arri alas, so few are wil73ng to give of
their ample means to the cause of Christianity. I appeal to the readers of
this paper for help.
Nat Prom far off China, Japers, Africa nor Ir+dia, but from your own Trfeatexn
Texas comes this cry for help. I beseech you as Christians, whom A"e shall
one day meet before the judgement bar of God to help ua raise the standard
of Jesus Christ in our toxn. Will not the pastoraot prosperous churches
ley this matter before their congregation, will not lndiriduala respond and
eend us, dust what they can spare?
One dear lady friend and faithful co~rorkor wrote to her old hone church 1n
Parts, Texas, and they responded heartily in the neat sum of $17,3.00.
This was a Baptist congregation. 1Pi11 not some of our Cumberland Pre~by-
teriaa churches do likewise? It is to be a IInion church, the Cumber]an<1
Presbyterians to have one Sunday end ensuing week.
host of our early friends arxi associates are numbered among the readers of
the Observer, with them and from thorn, we learned the sweet old story of
Jesus Christ.
Address Mrs. ~:.:.cott, ::c.vlllo, T~xas'+
Through many such efforts of the 7.adies, the money was obtained and the
church built.
Another clipping reads; ++Bids for the erection of the Union Church were
opened in the presence of the trustees of the ohurch. The following are the
bidder and the amount bid; Geo. ilk. Lewis, $225; J. H. Horn, $274y A. A17sn
& Co., X190; A. F. Jones, ~1y98.50.~~
The church was built by A. Allen & Co. and was finished about Christmas, 1885.
Here is another clippings
'+Church statement - We hors present to our readers a statement of the monies
received arzi disbursed by the 2adiea aid and others in building our Union
church. A great deal of labor has been expended in reaching the statement
belox. The manner in which the sums were received from so marry different
sources, the numerous subscription lists and vouchers made it no easy task.
For this result, we are indebted to Mrs. W. Scott. This lady has taken a
great deal of interest in this church from its inception and throughout the
entire transaction has been one of its foremost promoters."~
It is interesting to note that the statement shorred a cash balance on hand of
$29.50. This sum was spent for chairs for the church. Tho ground and two
building lots were given by Captain Charles Schreiner.
Among the names appearing on the subscription lists of Mrs. Scott and Mrs.
0111 are many that are familiar to us today, such as Mrs. D. B. Laurance,
A. C. Schreiner, o. n, nabs, n. L. Barnett, and the late Captain~Charlss
Schreiner, Another list gives, Scott, Bil.mer & Co., F. M. Moore, R. H. Burney
and many others. The largest donation listed is that for ,150.00.
A church agreement was drawn up, a part of which reads as follone:
+'The Methodist Episcopal church, South, shall have the use of the building
on the first Sabbath of each month and the ensuing week. The Cumberland
Presbyterian church shall have the use of the building on the aecorYl
Sabbath and ensuing week; The Missionary Baptist, the third Sabbath
-2-
5
and tho Christian church the fourth Sabbath and ensuing week. ~+hors vrere
to use the building by permission for religious service~.~
~~ This building has never been dedicated as a church because it vras to be usod
for educational. ^r-^o9~s or ~+hor purposos of general interest to the
community, not antagonistic to Christianity, nor for private profit.
One trustee vras chosen by each of the five churches mentioned and two by
those subscribing to the general fund.
As oath denpmination grew aryl prospered it built a church of its own. Final]v
__.ly the Christian church of the original fivo remained in the building.
In 1925, the churches interested agreed to deed the old Union church to the
Christian church. This deed was recorded September 9, 1925• At that time
the building was badly in need of repair, as no one wanted to spend time and
money on Union property. Since becoming the-First Christian Church, a
parsonage has been built, a porch, two Sunday School rooms and baptistry
added. The building was roofed and painted and the pews and a piano purchas-
ed.
From a half-time ministry, ae have advanced to full time, have £ive 5-~!;L-~r.h
school classes and a Christian Endeavor society functicnin~.
The old Bible still in the church was given in 188$ by Nick Teng, who is still
in the book business in San Antonio.
To show that back in 1885 the women worked for the church, 3ust as they do
notiv, there is a delightful write up of an experience party given by the
::`yt.:rian ladies to raise money.
From 1916 until 1920, the vrork of the Christian Church was abandoned. In
1920, urs. Matt?.^ "?~'ti9.£° ^r?th the aid of three other women started a Bible
School and held Communion Services. From 1920 until 1922 these four cromen,
Mrs. N,attio i+Cidkiff, Mrs. P. Tomlinson, Ialrs: J. M. Sutton and Mrs. i7. B,
°ialker with unfaltering faith kept alive the work o£ the church. Tihen Dr.
17x11 came into the church in December 1922, thew; four women •.vere greatly
encouraged and felt that their vrork had not been in vain. Dr. ~'iall came i:.t-
their band and at once became the leader of the work here.
In the fall of 1923, Mrs. J. S. P~cCleery came into the church and greatly
aided the work of the Sunday School. In 1923, Brother Horne of Lockhart
held a meeting which gave a bit of encouragement to the members here. The
follocring year, Brother Horne returned and held another meeting. He encourag-
ed the mombers in securing a pastor. In this same year, the church called
Brother P. E. Hawkins, who served from 1924 to 1926.
It was through the efforts of Rev. Hawkins and Dr. 4ra11 that the Union Church
and property were deeded to the Christian Church. In the next year, 1925,
Rev. Havrkins called upon the mombers o£ the cF.urch to build a parsonage. It
was through the generous donation of Mr. and Mrs. H. 0. Young, who gave
X1:000, that the building of the parsonage was made possible. Others con-
tributed generously.
The first Christian Endeavor among the young people was organized by DSrs,
}l. B. Storey in 1925• Zt was ales in 1925 that the Missionary Society .-r<a
organized. Prior to +,r,i~ +h ere had been an active Ladies Aid but not a
Missionary Society. _3_

v. Hugh. B. Y+arner served as pastor from May 1926 to May 3, 1931. He was
with the work 5 years. During this period the baptistry was added to the
{ church. 1J4 will have to give credit to Mrs. McQuary of Yfealaco for the
initial donation of $15.00 for tho work. Dr. t7a11 about this tirao gave the
pews for the church. Anew floor and a vestibule were added and other im-
provements were made.
In 1925 the Church was dedicated.
Through the influenco of Brother Flarner, the Missionary Society and the Aid
wore combined into a Council of all the members of the Church.
From May 1931 until September 1931, the Church was without a pastor. The
work did not grow slack because the members rallied to the Sunday School
and other services of the Church. In September 1931, the State Board of
Missions placed Brother A. K. Scott in the field here. The Board paid one
half his salary because the church at thi~tiime was unable to support a
pastor. Two meetings rvero held vrhile Brother Scott was here.
Rev. J. C. Horton was called to tho Church on January 19311. The first six
months 28 members were added to the church roll. This made things look
brighter for the work.
Brother Horton, with the assistance of some of the workers, organized a
Christian Endeavor, consisting of three groups.
This gives you a brief outline of some of the work done here. All through
the years, the church has given to missions. During the ministery of
Hawkins and Warner the Church began to give in a systematic way to missions.
According to the early agreement our church had the fourth Sunday in each
.,,onth. We are glad to know that the history of the Christian Church dates
back as far as the histories of other religious bodies.
From 1885 until 1907, we know very little that is definite. We do know that
the early Christians shared in the hardships with the religious people of
Kerr County.
We do not have the names of the early leaders and ministers during the
period (1885-1907). Mrs. Adeline Coleman and her daughter, Mrs. J. R.
Trussell and Mr. & 1~4rs. Greer Surber were among the faithful members. Mrs.
J. R. Trussell, one of the old charter members now lives in Kingsville, Texas
From 1907 to 191li, Brother Fred Carter, was the Pastor and during that time
• the late J. M. Sutton was superintendent of the Sunday School.
From 1911a to December of 1915, the Chureh was without a Pastor, and the
Sunday School was discontinued.
From December 1915 to August 1916, J. C. Bell of San Antonio preached one
Sunday a month. The membership was only 17 at that time.
Today (1956) the work goes forward with a greater zeal than ever before. We
look to the future with Faith and Hope.
-lam

r` ~ No.117, a so oc, y . ~ t a:•
Inal Su eeGltY o+. KerrvAle, an° sai~
Ong lion C°mpa~Y ay
1 43 acres °ut of ?he J G.NaY f adduon to pacifw Transpo~ ert~ Rec.
8ein9 of the SchrQ1ne gouthem 138 of the Reat Prop
half of block 57 of Ken fT°m wit
ae
I H theast one• to bounty
y ! ~ { { 1 ~ 1 P being the same 131973 and of record in ~°cu{ariy described as follows to on of lh ~•
f }~ 2 Y' Y' V'r`L deed dated July and be;n9 more pad' k 57 at the intersecti „ ae~
T ~ h e r'~~ y 0 of Kett CounN.'fexas, ttor the Amer of said bloc hom which the South o~
` O South streets
G at a 11T iron pin ~ e Nortr'^'E5t ime of W e~ 579.27 feet
~ N ~ ~ gEGINNiNi'ne of Schreiner and t1r 1596.57 teat and 1t2" icon pin
dY' (~I(10.11C Northeast p 117 bears South ~, 201.17 feetto a ',
of said Sur`1eY N ' hreiner stteetN•44-`'''l `
THENGE `M~ the Northeast lane of Sc in Set for the North
airs VacK a 117' iron P
for the~lestcomerDt ~S~,E,311.2teetto r
kNo.57 N. of ~ct=arland Street iron Prn ~
Ty.iEp1CE across said gtx outhwest line 54'E. ~ tit LQ a 117'
corner of this tract In ~ arfand street S44- streek
THENCE the `'j°uthwest line of Mo~~west line of Hays
with d in the No ~~ 311.2 feet to 7t1e BtaCe of
`'` for the East comer of th;s tra SVeet S?4•
Y ,~h said Nort>r~~' lane of Nays less.
'(HENCE ntarnln91.43 acres mote o
ge9mning, co
P~ic~ A~LAND S~
~.-
B~~CtC ~
~ 1.~3 ~ ~~s ~'
~ ~f ~ori ~ r
~' ~° f / l ~
I~//~
__---
SCy~~-T NCR S~
Order No. 23848
Approval of a Temporary
Location for the
Old Union Church
February 10, 1997
Vol. V pg 50