The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Jefferson was organized between
1846 and 1850 by Rev. Solomon Awalt, who lived many years in the Pine
Tree neighborhood, three miles from Longview, Texas, an old fashioned
Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. He was a German, a diligent bible
student and a strong theologian.
The first church was a small frame building located on the corner of
Line and Jefferson Streets. In 1873 the brick church was built by Mr.
John Ligon, on Jefferson Street. It was at that time the finest
Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Texas. Dr. N. P. Modrall was the first
minister in charge of the New Church. The 1875 general assembly met in
the church. After the assembly the railroads of Texas gave all the
delegates from other states a free excursion over Texas, visiting
Dallas, Houston, Galveston and other places of interest. This beautiful
church is still standing and in constant use. It is known as the
Presbyterian Church U. S. A.
The Presbyterians Manse of today known to many of the “old timers” as
“The old General Rogers Place” is said to be the oldest home in
Jefferson, and is in good repair today. At the corner of this ancient
building is found an old iron post, with a large wheel design near the
center, which is as placed there in the early days of Jefferson. Then
the most direct route to the boat landing was along that street, turning
this corner and passing down Delta Street, the oxen trains cut the
corner so close that some protection had to be given the property. And
today the post hangs far out over the street as a result of the oxen
running too close.
Most of this information was given by Rev. W. B. Preston, who served the
church twice, from June 1888 to December 1890, and from February 1910 to
December 1911.