Making History Today: Father of 20th Century Texas Presbyterianism

Hugh Wilson, Sumner Bacon, Daniel Baker, W. Y. Allen, Melinda Rankin, Hiram Chambelain can all be seen as important 19th century pioneers in bringing the gospel to Texas. Indeed, Hugh Wilson is identified by one historian as “the father of Texas Presbyterianism.” That historian is William Stuart Red who, in this writer’s mind, might claim a similar title for 20th century Presbyterianism. Although more than half his life was spent in the 19th century, much of his work and influence came in the next century. 

William Red was an evangelist, a scholar, a pastor, and an historian. Born on February 12, 1857 (although some say 1860) in Gay Hill, Texas (between Brenham and Somerville) to George Clark Red and Rebecca Stuart Red, William attended Southwestern Presbyterian University in Clarksville, Tennessee for a year and then enrolled at Austin College where he earned his B.A. in 1882. He graduated from the Austin School of Theology in 1886 (after attending both Princeton Seminary and Columbia Seminary) and then taught Hebrew there for two years. He also studied at the University of Leipzig, Germany in 1888-89 and, later, at the Free Church College in Glasgow, Scotland (1908-09). After serving as pastor of the church in Navasota from 1890-92, he worked as chaplain at Texas A&M College from 1892-94. He was the editor of the Texas Presbyterian newspaper from 1894-97. 

Red and Rizpah Clara Bowers were married in Austin on January 2, 1896. To this union were born two children – William Red, Jr. and Mary Red. As will be shown below, Rizpah was very supportive of her husband, particularly when it came to publishing his work on Presbyterianism in Texas. 

While editing the Texas Presbyterian, Red served as pastor to churches in Columbia and Velasco (now part oof Freeport) (1895) and in Houston (Hardy Street Presbyterian, 1896-97). He later served churches in Mexia (1909-20), and Bee Cave near Austin (1920-23). In 1902 Red was moderator of the Synod of Texas and from 1904-12 he served as the stated clerk of Brazos Presbytery. He was awarded the Doctor of Divinity degree by Austin College in 1907. In a history of the Presbyterian church in Palacios, Texas, one reads, “On June 30, 1907 at the Methodist Church in Palacios, Rev. W. S. Red, Evangelist of the Presbytery of Brazos, proceeded to organize The Presbyterian Church according to the order set forth in the form of government of The Presbyterian Church in the U.S.” (p. 10). Later in the same volume we learn that Red stayed in the area until August of that same year. 

According to Richard B. Hughes in an article for the Texas State Historical Association, “Red lamented that prospective ministers who left the state to study often stayed away, and he led an incessant campaign for a Presbyterian seminary on Texas soil. He championed Austin as its site so that seminarians could have access to the lectures and libraries of the University of Texas. Accordingly, he mobilized his family to offer the land and buildings of Stuart Seminary, located in Austin at the corner of 9th and Navasota (originally Live Oak Female Seminary in Gay Hill from 1853-1888), which they inherited from his mother (Rebecca Stuart Red), to the Texas Synod. The donation was accepted in 1899 and in 1902 Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary opened” at the former girls’ school.  (There is still a Texas State Historical marker at that location.) In 1906 the Seminary sold this property and relocated to its current site at the northwest corner of 27th Street and Speedway.

Red retired in 1923 and moved to Austin to write history. In 1924 he wrote The Texas Colonists and Religion, 1821-1836 which explored the role of religion in the era of the Texas Revolution. He then began work on the history of Presbyterianism in Texas. Designed to be a three-volume work, Red died July 8, 1933 before he could complete the project. His widow, Rizpah, and his nephew, Malcolm Purcell (also a Presbyterian minister), combed through Red’s research and  with what he had already written condensed everything into one volume and published it in 1936. In the Introduction Mrs. Red wrote, “This work makes no pretense of covering a history of ‘the Presbyterian Church’ in Texas. Four branches of the Presbyterian family are laboring in Texas today. Named in order of their present numerical strength, they are the Presbyterian Church, U.S., the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the United Presbyterian Church. An attempt has been made to cover the history of the Southern Presbyterian, and that part of the Northern Church prior to 1866-67 which is the common heritage of both these great Churches. The Cumberland Church has had a separate existence throughout this entire period, so its history is mentioned only incidentally. However, the Cumberland Church may justly claim priority, having been the first on the ground” (p. xii). 

In the minutes of Central Texas Presbytery of September 12-13, 1933 we find this description of Dr. Red upon his death in 1933: “Dr. Red was first of all, an humble Christian. He was then the stanchest kind of a Presbyterian. His long and varied ministry was spent within the borders of the Synod of Texas. He loved Texas, his native state, with a deep affection. He loved the Synod of Texas with a flaming passion.” Joining efforts with Rev. Samuel L. Tenney, Red promoted what is now the Historical Foundation of the Reformed and Presbyterian Churches at Montreat, North Carolina. 

His funeral was held at First Southern Presbyterian Church (now Central Presbyterian) in Austin on July 9 with Rev. Thomas W. Currie, Rev. Robert F. Gribble, and Rev. W. R. Minter officiating. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery. 

As stated at the outset, Red was an evangelist, a scholar, a pastor, and an historian. As a committed disciples of Jesus Christ, his work among Presbyterian churches throughout the Synod of Texas and on behalf of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, let alone in writing much of the history of the same, leaves an indelible mark on our appreciation of Presbyterianism in Texas. 

It is now long overdue for a new history of Presbyterianism in Texas to be written. We look forward to seeing whom God might be calling to such an enterprise. In the meantime we are grateful for saints such as William Stuart Red who have enriched our lives through their commitment to and love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest exists to “stimulate and encourage interest in the collection, preservation, and presentation of the Presbyterian and Reformed heritage” in the Southwest. If you are not a participating member of the Society and would like to become one, the annual dues are $20 per individual and $25 per couple. Annual institutional and church membership dues are $100. Checks may be made out to PHSSW and sent to: 

PHSSW – 5525 Traviston Ct., Austin, TX 78738.