History

The Church
It was in 1846 that the men of the Cumberland Presbyterian congregation in Austin built a small log church at 7th and Lavaca. They had no regular pastor, but relied on lay leadership.

In 1853 the missionary Reverend A.D. Crisman formally organized the church, and served as its first Pastor. Sometime before 1890 a frame building replaced the log church.
The beautiful rock building built in 1892 at the same location was especially admired for its exquisite stained glass windows and fine organ.

In 1902, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was enjoying uprecedented prosperity. However, during the next four years it was to be shaken to its foundation by a movement to unite with the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. which had been confined principally to the North and West since the Civil War.

The beloved church at 7th and Lavaca became the property of the Presbyterian U.S.A. denomination. The church building was later sold to the Baptist Church. Elder R. M. Castleman was instrumental in raising funds and guaranteeing a major portion in order for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to purchase back the building.

With plans underway for a larger building at 6800 Woodrow, the old rock church was sold in 1955. Before it was destroyed, some of the windows and the organ were saved. These windows are at the front and rear of our present sanctuary, and the organ was installed near the altar. In the new building, the back portion of the sanctuary was a fellowship area named Castelman Hall to honor the man who facilitated the return of the rock church to its builders.

 All facilities at First Cumberland are accessible to the physically challenged.