PROSPER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
HITS 100-YEAR MARK
A special day-long celebration was held at
the Prosper Presbyterian Church to observe the 100th anniversary of the church's
existence there Sunday.
Many present and former church members, as
well as residents from the area, were on hand for the event.
The church was organized by a small group
of members as the McAdew Congregation of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, by
Reverend R. H. Hacker on July 7, 1878.
They assembled in Pleasant Valley School
House, one-half mile north of Rock Hill Store. They worshipped there for 14
years -- from 1878 to 1892.
Petitioners were presented to White Rock
Presbytery on July 12, 1878 by R. H. Hacker and Elder John Yarnall.
In 1892, the present church building was
erected on a lot donated by Mr. and Mrs. James B. Bell, located one and a half
miles southeast of the present church lot. The church was a small, one-room
building with two doors and several windows. The interior was unfinished, but
the outside walls were painted white.
The furniture consisted on one organ, a
pulpit, and long homemade pews. The heating system was a box wood heater. The
light system was kerosene wall lamps. Total cost of that church building was
$654.35.
The lawn had one large stile-block for
ladies to mount and dismount from their horses.
IN 1898 the building was moved to Rock
Hill and the name was changed from McAdew Congregation of Cumberland
Presbyterian Church to Rock Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
In 1899, one of the greatest revivals in
the church history occurred while Rev. L. J. McGee was pastor. Many were
converted, and united with the church.
A. P. Mahard, Sr. was elected Elder in
1892. He served actively until 1953, a period of 61 years, and was the Senior
Elder of the church at the time of his death on March 21, 1959.
On December 9, 1900, due to the death of
John Yarnall (Elder from 1878 to 1900), C. E. Beanland was elected and installed
as Elder, serving until his death June 1, 1944.
In 1902, the church was moved from Rock
Hill to Prosper on a lot donated by Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Baker.
The request to change the name of the
congregation from Rock Hill to Prosper was made June 29, 1903.
In 1904, the church building was
remodeled. North and south wings were added, a cupola built, it was re-roofed,
the interior refinished and the outside walls were painted white. Another great
revival was held this year while the church was pastored by Rev. John Bone. Bone
was the first full-time preacher, and was hired in September 1905 at a salary of
$600 per year.
Churches Index
- Recommended citation:
- "Prosper Methodist Church,
Collin County Churches," Collin County, Texas History and Genealogy Webpage
by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13 13:37:28 US/Central 2004 ].
| 