Central Presbyterian Church

Established during the Republic of Texas period, this congregation was organized as the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church on November 4, 1844, by the Rev. Samuel J. Corley, a circuit-riding minister. Its first church building was erected in 1847, and under the leadership of the Rev. C. J. Bradley a new sanctuary was built in 1859 near downtown Paris. During the pastorate of Dr. Charles Manton from 1880 to 1908, the congregation erected another new sanctuary in 1891 and experienced tremendous growth, and flags throughout the community were flown at half-mast on the day of his funeral in recognition of his many civic contributions. The congregation officially changed its name to Central Presbyterian Church in 1912. After the 1891 sanctuary was destroyed in the devastating 1916 Paris fire, it was replaced in 1917 during the tenure of the Rev. L. C. Kirkes with a Gothic revival style sanctuary designed by Thomas Broad of the firm of Curtis, Broad, & Lightfoot and featuring extensive stained glass by the Ford Brothers Glass Company in Minneapolis. Over the years, educational facilities were added, and the congregation, noted for its education and music programs, has remained a leading civic institution providing spiritual guidance to the community.

Paris, Texas · United States