Our History

We trace our roots all the way back to July 1854 with the organization of Covenant Presbyterian Church - a Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  Our founding pastor was the Rev. Richard Overton Watkins.  He was the first protestant minister to be licensed and ordained in the Republic of Texas (at San Augustine).

Our first building, although a Cumberland church, was used by several other churches in the area until they could build their own churches.  We moved into our first sanctuary on December 11, 1854.

The first pastor was the Rev. Dempsey W. Broughton.  While living in Kaufman hr also served as Chief Justice of the county.  He was educated in law as well as religion and the humanities.  He later served churches in Dallas and was pastor of City Temple Presbyterian Church - now Northpark Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).  He was also instrumental in the founding of Trinity University, now in San Antonio.

The present sanctuary was built in 1877 of cypress wood brought from Louisiana.  Its architecture is early colonial and the interior reflect the decor of the period.

In 1906, after a merger of the Cumberland and United Presbyterian Churches we became part of what is now the Presbyterian Church (USA).  Through the years the congregation has merged with the Gastonia Presbyterian Church (1912) and the Jiba Presbyterian Church (1963).

Formerly known as Covenant United Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church of Kaufman is a member of Grace Presbytery (PCUSA).