August 12, 1874 – August 12, 2024
Burnet Presbyterian Church Celebrates Its 150th Anniversary
Burnet Presbyterian Church will turn 150 years old on August 12, 2024. BPC is the red brick building at the corner of Highway 29 and Pierce Street, just off the town square in Burnet. BPC shares the block with the First Baptist Church and the Vanderveer Street Church of Christ. In its October 20, 1983 issue, the Burnet Bulletin reported that one of the “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” publications had described the unusual grouping of three churches and a jail in this block. The old jail no longer houses inmates but is now a museum and visitors’ center.
A special Celebration Worship Service commemorating BPC’s 150th birthday will be held August 11, 2024 at 11:00 am. Rev. Bill Poe will deliver the sermon, and following the service there will be a covered dish luncheon in the fellowship hall.
Burnet Presbyterian Church was formed by twelve early citizens of the town under the leadership of Rev. H. B. Rose on August 12, 1874. Family names of these charter members included Curry, McSween, Ramsey and Warden.
Between 1891 and 1941, BPC was served by supply pastors and lay leaders rather than called pastors. Finally, in 1941, Dr. J. P. Kidd was called as pastor; he served until 1951. Since 1951, BPC has usually had called pastors with occasional breaks.
Throughout its life, BPC’s pulpit has been filled by many pastors and lay leaders. The first pastor, Rev. H. B. Rose, preached to the church from its formation on August 12, 1874 until October 1875. After a five-year absence, Rev. Rose returned to Burnet in September 1881 and stayed until a white frame Presbyterian House of Worship was completed in July 1883. After the completion of the new church house, three and sometimes four services were held monthly.
For the first nine years of its existence, BPC held monthly services in the community’s rock school house.
BPC has yet again come full circle and is seeking to call a pastor. Until a new pastor is found, church members are treated to inspiring sermons from visiting pastors, seminary students, and, on some Sundays, church members. Over the past year BPC has been blessed by frequent visits and sermons from pastors Rev. Bill Poe and Rev. Ken Peters.
The original white wood frame church was completed in July 1883. It was heated in winter months by a wood-burning stove in the center of the sanctuary and cooled in the summertime by overhead ceiling fans. Church members and visitors would walk, ride horseback, or take wagons to church and would tie their horses to the old live oak tree that still grows in the churchyard.
For about 75 years, the white frame church served BPC well. It was downtown Burnet’s oldest landmark for some time, but it was removed in 1956 so a new church house could be built on the same site.
By the 1950s membership and attendance had increased to the point that a new, larger building was needed. However, even though the need for a new church building was urgent, BPC’s 101 members, along with the rest of Burnet and the state, struggled financially during the 1950-1957 drought, one of the worst in the history of Texas. Despite these financial difficulties, the contributions of church members increased dramatically, and BPC moved ahead with planning a new church.
The current red brick church, with its tall steeple and copper cross, was built in 1957 and had central heat and air. Many people from Burnet played a role in constructing the new church building. Mote Fowler, father of long-time BPC member Peggy Hammond, was the general contractor on the new church building. Karl Piehl installed the air conditioning and heating, while Ed Goble performed the electrical work.
The tornado of 1973 pulled the steeple down from the church and broke an arm off the cross. The church sustained only water damage, though, and the steeple was repaired and furnished with a new cross.
BPC further expanded its space in 1976 when it purchased the old Burnet County Library facility next door at public auction, renovated it, and named it the Norris Building in honor of brothers Herbert and Leslie Norris, two faithful elders of the church. The Billie J. Pratt, Jr. Memorial Library was moved from the red brick building into the Norris Building.
The red brick building and the Norris Building are connected by a hallway called “History Hall,” which contains photos and artifacts of BPC’s past. One of the items displayed is the copper cross damaged by the tornado.
History Hall also displays a “service flag” with 18 blue stars against a white background. During World War II, the Women of the Church held weekly prayer services for the young men from the congregation who were serving in the armed forces. During that time the women sewed this service flag. All 18 young men, each represented by a star on the flag, came home.
Throughout its 150-year history, Burnet Presbyterian Church has been committed to sharing the Lord’s teachings and love. BPC offers church services, Sunday School classes, Bible study, book discussions at meetings of the Burnet Bookmarks, and congregational luncheons. In the community, BPC supports local organizations including Lakes Area Care, Inc. (LACare Food Bank) and the Christian Women’s Job Corps with cash donations and volunteer hours. BPC also holds a monthly worship service at Country Oaks Assisted Living.
Burnet Presbyterian Church looks forward to continuing these opportunities for Christian learning, fellowship, and community outreach for the next 150 years.
