Westminster Presbyterian Church Galveston TX

What We Believe

Here are the basics. Its not really complicated. We welcome everyone. We turn away no one. We judge no one. We are sinners as is the entirety of the human race. We are better than no one. We believe that we are forgiven through the grace and work of Jesus Christ.

What to Expect

You'll find a warm and welcoming community of faith at Westminster Presbyterian Church. We are committed to the essentials of the Christian and Presbyterian faith as expressed by Jesus' command “to love God with all one’s heart, mind and soul and to love one another.” This is expressed by our open-mindedness, our recognition that we are all sinners In God’s eyes, and our gratitude that we are redeemed through the grace of God through Christ.

Because of the boldness provided by God’s strength, we are able to step out into the world and express God’s love. The church keeps us in community with one another and gives us a place to grow in our faith through study and worship. Our church sign says “COME JUST AS YOU ARE,” and we really mean what it says. We hope you see in our welcome that superficial appearance is not important. We are all sinners in the need of Christ’s salvation.

Our ministry is expressed through our worship, our deeds and actions, and our service to the community and beyond. Our mission is to be a body of believers that studies God’s word, supports and has fellowship with one another, humbly displays God’s love through faith and action, provides compassionate and loving service to the community, and displays tolerance, open-mindedness, and a welcoming atmosphere.

 

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Within Church Grounds  

Alcohol Abuse action groups
Children's Coalition Day Care Center  

Men's monthly Breakfast
Women of the Church Study group
CEDEPCA
Heifer Project
St. Vincent's House
Bible Studies  

Meets all ADA Requirements
Disabled Ramp, Auto Door Opener and ADA Toilets  

History of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Galveston Texas

In 1874, the First Presbyterian Church of Galveston organized a mission Sunday School for the "West End" of Galveston, west of 29th Street. Attendance was light, but the efforts continued and in the Spring of 1889, First Church appointed a committee to "organize a Sabbath School and weekly prayer meeting for the West End of the city". Mr. H.M. Trueheart donated a lot on 36th and Broadway, where a "Memorial Chapel" was constructed in 1892.

On October 10, 1895, Brazos Presbytery, Presbyterian Church U.S., organized the Second Presbyterian Church of Galveston with 39 members and Henry Austin, Jr. was ordained and served as Pastor. The next week, on October 17, 1895, the congregation voted to change the name to the Broadway Memorial Presbyterian Church.

The September 8, 1900 storm caused major confusion in the congregation. The very sketchy records of that period list six members who could not be found after the storm and were presumed to have perished. Also, records indicate "15 communicants unaccounted for." The church building was blown from its foundation and wrecked. Services were resumed November 4, 1900.

36th street locationAbout 1910, the church again changed its name, this time to the Ann Trueheart Memorial Presbyterian Church. Finally, after 33 years of existence, in 1928, the present name was adopted.

The church functioned at the 36th & Broadway location until 1926, when two lots at 37th & Q1/2 were purchased. The structure that was built at that location is still being used as a church (Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church). In 1957, the congregation purchased the Fort Crockett military chapel for $556, and the cold storage warehouse, and its 1.4 acres at 51st and Ave. U, for an additional $36,000. The chapel was moved to the new site, the warehouse was remodeled, and the congregation began to use its new facilities in 1962.geth church location

When Hurricane Carla struck in 1961, the present Educational Building was still under renovation. It had enough open space to allow those who took refuge within the building to pass the time playing volleyball. The only working restroom was in the Sanctuary. We understand the trip, possible if one held tightly to a rope stretched between the two buildings, was a real thrill!

After Hurricane Alicia in 1983, worship services were held in the parking lot since there was no electricity in the city. The present furnishing of the sanctuary was completed in 1983, and the new organ installed in 1987.

On October 7-8, 1995, the congregation celebrated the church's centennial, hosting a large celebration for all members past and present. Many former members returned for the weekend and former pastors James Mosley and Cecil Lang were in attendance. A "Centennial" logo was designed to tie together all aspects of the celebration, including the worship service, special bulletin, the party, the placement of a time capsule, centennial T-shirts and various other remembrances of the occasion. A centennial tree was also planted.

For as long as anyone can remember, and that's quite a long time, this Congregation has reached out to the community and the world, supporting such projects as the local blood bank, Ronald McDonald House, Beacon Place, Presbyterian missions and the Heifer Project International. Since Hurricane Ike in 2008, we serve as the home of the Children’s Coalition Day Care. We take satisfaction in being able to return a portion of what has been given us.

In early December 2015 an arsonist broke into the Sanctuary and set the building on fire, everything inside the structure was destroyed, though prayer, community support, a strong congregation, spirited leadership and a pretty good insurance policy we were able to rise from the ashes. In December 2016 we celebrated the rededication of our completely new Sanctuary and continue to worship there each week.

The Reverend Henry Austin, Jr. heads a list of over 30 pastors whom have served this Congregation through the beginning of the 21st century. While pastoral leadership has ranged from bland to bold, from enigmatic to energetic, the Congregation has continued to be a strong center of Christianity in the "West End of Galveston". May its years continue and its service to Christ increase!