Getsemani Presbyterian Church

In the first decade of the 20th century, a number of immigrants came from Mexico and settled in the newly founded town of San Benito. Among these immigrants were individuals who followed the prinicples of the Presbyterian Church of Mexico. In 1911, Presbyterian families in San Benito organized the Mexican Presbyterian Church of San Benito. Anne E. Dysart, a missionary and teacher who evacuated Mexico during the country's revolution, led Sunday services and opened a school. The congregation officially dedicated the church on October 19, 1911. By 1912, the congregation gathered funds to purchase a lot at the corner of Biddle and Hull Streets to build their first church building. In 1917, the church reorganized and in 1919, it became a member of the Presbyterian Church of the U.S.A. That same year, the congregation moved their buildings to 140 Diaz Street. As the years passed, the congregation became largely English-speaking; to reflect the shift, the church changed names to 2nd Presbyterian Church in 1961. In 1979, the members renamed it Getsemani Presbyterian Church. The Getsemani congregation has a long history of aiding the community. The church has hosted the Texas Migrant Council's community center, run a food bank and a clothes closet, functioned as an emergency distribution center, offered English classes, and set up a benevolent fund for the indigent. The congregation has also focused strongly on area outreach, opening missions in Harlingen, Las Flores and El Fresnal. Today, Getsemani Presbyterian Church continues to be a spiritual leader in the San Benito community.

Getsemani Presbyterian Church is a historical marker in San Benito, Cameron County, dedicated in 2009. It is one of 116 historical markers documented in Cameron County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 194 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 26.1350, -97.6365 near San Benito. The nearest cataloged historic site is St. Benedict's Church (historical marker), about 0.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include San Benito Bank and Trust Company, San Benito, and San Benito Post Office.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016022. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.