The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Rusk was organized on May 2, 1847, by the Rev. J.B. Harris with a charter membership of four. A Sunday school began in 1850 and continued as a Union school until the 1880s, while strong ecumenical relationships with other churches in town led to the Presbyterian church building being used by various denominations. The "Old School" congregation of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. was organized in March 1851 by the Rev. J.M. Becton and the Rev. J.C. Sharp with eight members. A sanctuary was built on Henderson Street in 1854, and a parsonage was added in 1888-89 largely through the efforts of the Ladies Aid Society. The two congregations united to form the First Presbyterian Church on April 6, 1906. This property was then acquired, and both church buildings were moved to the new site, with the "Old School" church used for worship and the Cumberland Church converted to a parsonage. The present sanctuary was built in 1913-14 as the first brick church in Rusk, and a new parsonage was added in 1925. Beginning one year after the city's founding, the Presbyterian Church sought throughout its history to serve the community with outreach programs.