Crossroads Presbyterian Church - Desert, TX - Country Churches on Waymarking.com

There were two separate communities here at one time, Crossroads and Desert -- so named after someone "deserted" the campsite he was supposed to guard, with predictable results -- and both names survive today. Travelers along Texas Highways 121, 160, and 78 will see "Desert" on the signs at the community limits, while both names appear on the gate into the cemetery south of here on TX 78. The Handbook of Texas Online notes that, "The population of the community, never more than 100, was twenty-five from 1933 through 2000."

The church has a nice website which includes a history. Established as the Desert Creek Church with thirteen members on September 30, 1883 -- Desert wouldn't get a post office until 1890 -- the original location was a few miles to the southeast, towards Desert Creek. It appears that, while the Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House maintained their books, the church was non-denominational, possibly due to difficulties in attracting ministers. In October of 1895, the church constructed a new sanctuary, and around this time, the name "Cross Road" first appeared in referring to the church. The -s was inexplicably added later. By 1906, they had moved away from the Cumberland church and connected with the Presbyterian Church USA. A tabernacle was constructed in 1912 as the congregation grew, and a manse was added off-site in 1921. In 1928, a new sanctuary was constructed closer to the manse and things were quiet for a few years.

In 1955, there were sixty-five members, although it wouldn't be long before membership declined as the U.S. saw an exodus from rural areas to the bigger cities. In 1970, they welcomed members of the nearby Nobility Baptist Church as they made repairs to their sanctuary. Crossroads's own sanctuary was growing a bit long in the tooth, with a third steeple's being added after the previous two were taken down by storms, and the turn of the millennium saw a return to the country by those who had tired of the hustle and bustle of Dallas and its suburbs. With new growth, the church constructed this sanctuary right down the road and across the highway from the previous location, with the first service on September 4, 2011.

Church Name: Crossroads Presbyterian Church Church In Use (even only just occassionally): yes Date Church Built: 2011 Rate this church.:

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