The Old Lamar Presbyterian Church

My grandfather, Archibald McRae, came to Texas before Linville was destroyed by the Indians [1840]. He was second settler [in Lamar], he and his wife with two boys and two girls, John, Murdock, Susan and Sarah. They often had the Indians to visit them demanding something to eat; grandmother gave them plenty, with sweet potatoes from her garden, while grandfather would have his old Texas rifle ready... The oldest son, John, was educated in Hanover College for a Presbyterian minister, but died soon after graduation, having preached only his trial sermon. My father, Murdock McRae, united with the Presbyterian church in Victoria while the Rev. Joel Case was the minister, perhaps in 1853, or earlier. He was an elder in the church at old St. Mary's before there was any Lamar. When I was about seven years of age, there came to Lamar a Presby- terian minister, Mr. Hugh Wilson of Seguin, who, with his daughter. Miss Laura, spent part of a summer in our home and the home of Mrs. Hill, as guests. During this visit, a church was decided upon which was later built. Previous to the building of this church, services were held in the home of my father. Cousin Fannie Heard's mother, Mrs. L. A. D. Wells, of sainted memory, gave the lot on which the church was built. The church was built and completed. Every man or youth of Lamar who could drive a nail assisted. Both Catholic and Protestant worked side by side until the little church was finished. It was hard to tell who was prouder of the church, the Catholics or the Protestants, when it was painted both inside and outside and services held. While the work was going on, Mrs. Murdock McRae, the three daughters of Mrs. Wells, Mrs. John [Hannah Wells Brundrett, Misses Joe and Susie Wells, served cake and coffee every afternoon at 4 o'clock under our big live oak tree, noted for miles around,and under which stood the work bench. The children, Fannie Wells...her brother John,long since passed away, and Josie McRae...very importantly passed around the cake and coffee to the workmen. Captain James B. Wells united with this church the same year and was elected one of the elders, as was also Mr. Jacob Thomas. I remember it was the first time I ever saw the laying on of hands on the head, consecrating their lives to God. John Thomas and Mr. Henry Kroeger were other deacons and elders elected. We had Sunday School every Sunday in this little church, my father being superintendent. All denominations were gladly welcomed to hold services there, and were entertained In the homes of the McRaes and Captain Wells. The first Presbyterian preacher was Rev. Lucius McCain of St. Mary's. From 1876 to 79 Rev. W. E. Caldwell of Rockport and later of Goliad and Cuero preached to us once a month. I think it was in the storm of 1886 that our little church was blown down, as well as great limbs torn from our Old Oak Tree, a Lamar landmark. Several years later the lumber from this church was sold by my mother to Mr. Bert Ballou for $65, loaded on a Hamp Smith barge and moved to Rockport, and then used by the Presbyterian Church. My father, Murdock McRae, died December 5, 1889. I live to remember him in love and veneration. He lived his principles day by day as the years rolled by, instilling in his children earnestly, prayerfully, and lovingly, to all who knew him. Membership of the first little [Presbyterian] church were: Mr. and Mrs. Murdock McRae and members of his family, Captain and Mrs. James B. Wells and their daughters, Mrs. John McGuirk, Mrs.John M. Brundrett, and Fannie V. Wells, now Mrs.[W. J. J.] Heard of Refugio, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kroeger [Eve Thomas] and daughter Mary, Mr. Graff and daughter Lizzie, Mrs. Sally [Sarah Thomas] Strauch, Mr. Jacob Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas and daughter Rosa, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Plummer and their two daughters, Annie and Julia. I was baptized about 1869 by the Rev. Mr. Meyers, with two of my sisters, Ella and Mattie, at Mrs. Elizabeth Ballou's old home. He was a Methodist preacher living at Rockport, a good old man whom all loved. I united with the Presbyterian Church about the first sermon preached by Mr. McCain in our home in 1870 or 71, never regretting It.... I remember as a child my father laying planks on kegs for us all to have church in our home on Sundays, and coffee and pies in the afternoons for the many neighbors that came to church in our home. My father was a good man, and never even sailed his boat on the Sabbath, except to go for a doctor.... He would not even dry the sails until Monday if they got wet. A man of whom it was said that his word was as good as a bond, and a good Christian character. I am proud of being his eldest daughter. Mrs. Sam [Josie McRae] Bennett May 11, 1939, Cuero, Texas