First Presbyterian Church-Dallas, Dallas

The First Presbyterian Church is an important historical building in Dallas, situated in the Farmers Market District on Park Avenue. It's notable for being the very first Presbyterian congregation established in the area.

This congregation came into existence in 1856, under the leadership of Reverend Robert Byers, starting with just eleven members. Initially, they met in various locations as they didn't have a dedicated building. Over time, the church expanded and moved into four different buildings to accommodate its growing membership.

The church we see today is in the Harwood Historic District and is a significant local landmark. It was completed in 1913 and is designed in the Greek Revival architectural style, which sets it apart from other buildings in the Historic District. A standout feature is the Corinthian columns at the front - they're huge, made from a single piece of stone, and were the first of their kind in Dallas. Each column was transported from Indiana on its own railcar.

The church's exterior is adorned with original art glass windows, created by the Kansas City Stained Glass Works Company and delivered to Dallas in 1912. Inside, the layout follows a modified Akron Plan, a design concept from Akron, Ohio, used between 1900 and 1920. This design was meant to make it easier for people to move between worship services and Sunday school classes. It features a semi-circular auditorium with curved seating that opens directly onto classrooms next to the main worship area.