The History of Faith Presbyterian Church
Every local church has a story, and every faithful congregation bears witness to God’s covenant faithfulness from one generation to the next. Faith Presbyterian Church is no exception. Our history reminds us that Christ has faithfully preserved His church through changing times, different pastors, and many generations of believers.
Our Beginnings
The roots of our congregation reach back to 1861, when a Presbyterian congregation (First Presbyterian Church) was organized in Paris, Texas. Through the years, generations of faithful ministers, elders, deacons, and members worshiped God, preached the gospel, administered the Sacraments, and served Christ in this community.
Like many Presbyterian churches in the American South, the congregation was part of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) for much of its history.
Becoming Faith Presbyterian Church
In the early 1970s, significant theological concerns arose within the PCUS regarding the authority of Scripture and faithfulness to the historic Reformed faith.
The majority of First Presbyterian Church withdrew from the PCUS in June of 1973. When what became the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) was organized in December, 1973, this congregation chose to unite with the new denomination. In doing so, it identified itself with the PCA’s commitment to be:
- Faithful to the Scriptures
- True to the Reformed Faith
- Obedient to the Great Commission
That decision reflected a desire to preserve the historic biblical and confessional convictions that had long characterized Presbyterianism.
However, the former denomination sued the congregation to reclaim property and funds it believed it had a right to. After winning at the district level, the church lost at the Texas Court of Civil Appeals and decided to not press on with legal options in 1976. It relinquished the property and funds, and re-organized itself as Faith Presbyterian Church. We eventually purchased our current property, renovating a house in order to provide a meeting place, and over time the congregation erected the building where we now meet.
Faithful Shepherds
The Lord has graciously provided faithful pastors to shepherd this congregation through the years. Among those who have served are:
- Eric McQuitty (1972 – 1978)
- Richard Alexander (Sandy) Curnow, Jr. (1978 – 1984)
- Howard C. Kelley (1985 – 1992)
- James E. Rish (1992 – 1994)
- John Michael Kelley (1995 – 2013)
- Justin Hilliard (2013 – 2023)
- John Owen Butler (2026 – present)
Each pastor served during a unique season in the life of the church, building upon the work of those who came before him.
Just as importantly, countless ruling elders, deacons, Sunday school teachers, musicians, and faithful members have quietly served Christ through prayer, generosity, hospitality, and perseverance. The history of a church is not written only by its pastors, but by all God’s people.
Seasons of Blessing and Challenge
Like every congregation, Faith Presbyterian Church has experienced both seasons of growth and seasons of difficulty.
In recent years, the congregation endured a lengthy pastoral vacancy of approximately three years. During that time, the church continued to gather for worship, maintained its witness, and remained committed to the ministry of God’s Word.
Such perseverance is evidence of God’s sustaining grace. Christ has promised, “I will build my church,” and He has faithfully preserved this congregation through every season.
Looking to the Future
While we give thanks for our history, our greatest work is always before us.
Our prayer is that Faith Presbyterian Church will continue to be known as:
- A church that faithfully preaches the whole counsel of God
- A church that worships reverently and joyfully
- A church that loves one another as the family of God
- A church that welcomes visitors with Christian hospitality
- A church that equips believers for lives of faithful service
- A church that proclaims Christ in Paris, throughout Texas, and to the ends of the earth
Buildings grow old. Pastors come and go. Generations change. But Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. He has preserved this congregation for more than a century and a half, and we trust Him to continue building His church until the day He returns in glory.
As we become part of the continuing story of Faith Presbyterian Church, our desire is that those who come after us will be able to say that in our generation we remained faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission, all for the glory of God.