the church was founded in 1839 by rev. james weston miller. he was from pennsylvania as a foreign missionary in the republic of texas. the congregation consisted of 13 charter members. initially, the church met in the senate chamber of the republic of texas, moving nearby to its first building in 1842. later the congregation become a prominent member of the southern presbyterian church, and planted several presbyterian congregations in houston. the church grew rapidly. first presbyterian begun mission efforts to south korea and brazil.