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'Serving Christ by inviting, teaching,
and discipling those within, to serve those
without'
History
of the Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church
The family of James Franklin and Emily Austin Perry
moved from Potosi, Missouri, reaching the
San Felipe de Austin in the Mexican province of Texas on August, 14, 1831. The
family's first permanent residence in Texas was at Oak
Grove on Pleasant Bayou in current Brazoria County. Emily
and her younger children resided at San Felipe while James looked after the
construction of a home and other improvements at Oak Grove. Due in
part to the influence of Emily's brother, Stephen F. Austin, the family
decided to move from Oak Grove to Peach Point, a move that was made around
Christmas of 1832. After the move to Peach Point, a one room log
cabin was constructed, but not dedicated, where the family, slaves and
visitors worshipped. This service was supplied for some time by any
Protestant minister that came through this part of the country, most of the
time, by the itinerant Methodist minister.
On June 7, 1877, a small
building was erected on a site given by Mrs. Sarah B. Perry near her home
at Peach Point. This site was located at the cemetery that had been
formed on August 4, 1833, when Emily's
daughter, by her first marriage, past away from cholera. (More about the
historic cemetery later.) This was the first dedicated church and the real
beginning of this church organization. The modest building filled the needs
of the church people of that community from 1877 to 1909,- 32 years. In July 1909, a terrible Gulf hurricane
passed through this section of the coast and practically demolished the
building. The membership had increased as the community had
grown. All were community minded and desirous of a place to worship,
so all the people began immediately to make
plans to rebuild the Church. Many ways were devised to raise the necessary
funds. Two carpenters W.B. and Charlie Hanson supervised the job and the
other men in the community helped with the labor, while funds for materials
were provided by the women. Mrs. Katie Perry, was
untiring in her effort to promote ways and means to get these funds
together. She was unceasing in her deep interest until the church was
completed, furnished, and dedicated free of debt.
In 1946, a decision was made by the officers of the Gulf
Prairie Presbyterian Church to launch a new building program. The
old building was sold and would be moved to the Darazno
Plantation, after the new church was completed. The new building, which
replaced the old one, was placed in the same location. Mrs. Lucy Bryan
Harvey gave the church and much of the furnishings. It was in memory of
S.E. Bryan and his wife, S.I. Stratton. Many other gifts were given in
remembrance of family and loved ones, but are to numerous to mention
here. The sanctuary given by Mrs. Lucy B. Harvey was dedicated March 22, 1950. With only
a few additions, including a new chime system, and stained
windows, the building remains as when built.
The first unit of the educational building was built with funds raised
towards a Sanctuary, after Mrs. Harvey gave the Sanctuary,
those funds were used to erect the first building, consisting of a kitchen,
three class rooms, and an assembly room. This building was ready for
occupancy at the time the Sanctuary was dedicated. Later, an extension was
built on the west and provided five class rooms, and gave ample room for a
regular nursery. The second addition built on the east consisted of
two class rooms and a new kitchen, a new and enlarged nursery and an auditorium that will seat
approximately two hundred people. This addition was made possible from
donations, volunteer labor and a bond sale. Mrs. Harvey generously gave
funds for the needed furniture.
For
many years in the Gulf Prairie community, Mrs. Katie Perry kept some kind
of Women's Society alive for the purpose of Sunday School and whatever
needs arose in the community. It was called the "Ladies Aid"
and "Women's Missionary Society". After she moved to Freeport to live with
her son, others tried to keep the group going, among them, Mrs.
Perry's daughter Mrs. Joel Bryan, especially after Mrs.
Perry's death in 1936. The Women's Auxiliary was reorganized April 1, 1946. Mrs. Lucy
Cammack McGuire was elected president. Later
the name was changed to "The Women of the Church."
A Young People's Missionary Society was held from 1910, until most of
the people left the community in the early 20's. No regular services were
held in the church during the 20's and 30's. In 1941, after Dow Chemical
Co. came to the area, this community grew rapidly. Again the church
was reactivated with Mrs. Sarah Perry Cammack
arranging for several different Protestant ministers to hold services until
about 1944. Then Rev. David Currie, of the Freeport Presbyterian Church, began
holding services until May 26, 1946, when Rev. D.A. McNeil began his work
as temporary supply pastor. From 1946 to 1949, supply pastors were sent
from seminary in Austin, Texas, to help keep the church program
organized and the people from losing interest in the church.
Since
the 1950's, we have had several regular ministers to serve
our congregation. The Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church is a small
community church with a proud, rich history. Many of the present day
members have been members for life and are descendents of the church's
founder, Mrs. Emily Austin Bryan Perry. The church is as active now as
it has ever been.
Special note: This information comes from the
book
Peach Point Plantation - the First 150 Years
By Marie Beth Jones
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