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"Sometime in the year 1894 Rev. H. R. Laird began in the
town of Karnes City, Texas, a mission work under care of the
Helena Church. This work was kept up by him until April, 1895,
when Rev. J. A. Hall was placed in charge of the mission field
of which it formed a part.
In August, 1895, Mr. Laird, as Evangelist of Western Texas
Presbytery, perfected an organization with the following members:
Mr. M. B. Little Miss Margaret Skiles
Mrs. Elizabeth Little Mrs. Jennie Hunter
Mrs. Mary Whetstone Miss Katie Hunter
Miss Mary Whetstone Mrs. Sophie Seidel
Miss Fannie Whetstone Miss Florence Archer
Mrs. Margaret Skiles Mrs. Florence Burwell
Mrs. Stella Brown Mrs. S. A. Miller
After the organization a congregational meeting was held.
M. B. Little and S. A. Miller were elected to the office of
Ruling Elders. Mr. Little, being present and signifying his
acceptance of this office, was ordained and installed Ruling
Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Karnes City. Mr. Little,
being the only elder at that time, was appointed Clerk of the
Session.
The meeting was opened and closed with prayer."
Thus, quoting from the oldest record book of the church,
the Presbyterian Church of Karnes City came into being. At a
later meeting of the session on August 20, 1895, Mr. S. A.
Miller signified his acceptance of the office of Ruling Elder
and was ordained and installed a Ruling Elder of the church.
At a meeting on December 17, 1900, the church determined
to make an effort to secure a church building. Lyman Burton,
John F. Tobin, and W. C. Hunter were appointed trustees and
these trustees were named a building committee. On January 1,
1901, the property at the corner of Esplanade and Mayfield Sts.,
being Lots 8, 9, and 10 of Block 61 of the township of Karnes
City, were purchased from A. J. Bell for the location of the
church. A former Cumberland Church building in the northern
part of the town was purchased and removed to these lots, and
the congregation held their first service in this new home on
June 17, 1901.
On June 23, 1901, a Sunday School was organized with Lyman
Burton as superintendent, Professor A. S. J. Steele as assistant
superintendent, Mrs. John F. Tobin as organist, and Miss Kate
Hunter as assistant organist.
Under the leadership of Rev. Brooks I. Dickey, first pastor
of the church, Lots 6 and 7 of Block 61 with the house thereon
were purchased for a manse in the year 1906. Rev. Dickey, Mr.
Lyman Burton, and Mr. L. C. Tobin were appointed the building
committee to raise funds and make the necessary repairs on the
house