Church History
About the ChurchCanadians First Presbyterian Church was also Canadians first church. Minutes of the Presbytery of North Texas record the organization of a Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Thomas S. Dearing at Canadian on September 16, 1888, and the election of George Ford as ruling elder.
The Presbytery of North Texas meeting at Albany on October 26, 1888 accepted a request for the new church "to be taken under the care of this presbytery". The five charter members of the new church in Canaian were Mrs. C.H Shaller, Mr. & Mrs. George Ford, a Miss Miller and a Mr. Patterson. The Rev. D.H. Dodson was the first resident minister.
The first church building was built in 1890 at the corner of Sixth and Purcell, where the present church building stands. The original building, a frame structure which was erected at a cost of $l,000 not only served the Presbyterians but served other early-day
congregations as well for several years. The Presbyterian Missions Board contributed $666.00 of the $1,000 required, and the balance was raised by the organizers, from among the business and professional people of the town with contributions from other beginning congregations.
Money was raised by donations to purchase a bell for the church tower. and $200 was borrowed at the old Moody and Ilamburger Traders Bank to purchase the bell. The old bell was removed from the tower of the original frame church when the present First Presbyterian Church was built in 1949, and was hung in the tower of the new church building at the same corner at 6th & Purcell.
n 1998 as the present day church was nearing its 50 year anniversary a committee was formed to consider a church expansion. With great input of time and money a new addition was completed in April 2000, with a renovation of the old church sanctuary and classrooms. We are very proud of our new building and grounds, which should lead the 1st Presbyterian Church of Canadian, Texas into the new millennium, and beyond.
