Our History

In 1981 the Presbyterian Development Foundation of South Texas purchased 5+ acres on Tezel Road and Timber Ranch. In 1982 Rev. Don Houdeshell was chosen as the founding pastor and began the task of drawing together a nucleus of people interested in a new Presbyterian Church.

Up until that time a small group, determined to form a new Presbyterian Church, met in members' homes. They joined because of an ad for the new church in the Leon Valley Recorder, a neighborhood newspaper or just because they heard by 'word of mouth' and sought out the church.

The first service of worship was held in the New Territories Recreation Center on Easter Sunday, 1982. Representatives from the Presbytery and sister churches swelled the attendance to 130 that day.

The new group soon outgrew the Recreation Center and moved to Northwest Crossing Elementary School in November 1982.In February of 1983, the new congregation -- now known as Northminster Presbyterian Church petitioned to ordain its first elders. This occurred on Palm Sunday, 1983 with 250 people attending. 101 new members signed the charter.

A critical step in the process of organizing any new church is deciding on a name for the congregation. After receiving and evaluating a wide range of suggestions including some fanciful possibilities like "St. Peter's in the Cedars" the committee formed to seek a new name narrowed it down to two; "Kirk in the Hills", "Northminster", (Minster is Scottish for cathedral and "Community of Faith". The votes were cast on November 28, 1982 and Northminster became our official name.

The congregation elected a Building Committee in December of 1983 and building began in January 1985. The building was completed and dedicated in October 1985.The church began as a Tri-church; United Presbyterian (northern), Presbyterian Church U.S. (southern) and Cumberland Presbyterian. Two denominations, United Presbyterian and Presbyterian Church U.S., merged in 1983 and Northminster became a Union Church. Rev. Houdeshell departed in 1991.Rev. Leroy Muenzler (Cumberland) served one year as interim pastor. Rev. John (Jeff) Rhodes (PCUSA) served one and a half years. Rev. Roger Sobin (PCUSA) served as a supply pastor in December 1993, became designated pastor, and then called pastor. Roger is now our Pastor Emeritus. Rev. Kenny Davis (PCUSA) served one year as interim pastor. Rev. Dr. Robert E. Weston is our current pastor.