History
In September of 1938, the combined congregations of Abbey and Riggs Memorial churches – some 300 strong – met at 11am in the sanctuary at Greenville Avenue and McCommas to formalize their consolidation. After further deliberations, the newly established church would take the following steps:
• Approve North Dallas Presbyterian Church as its new name.
• Adopt a proposed constitution and set of bylaws.
• And elect a slate of 12 ruling elders and three trustees.
That historic event marked the beginning of what has been for 77 of its 86-year history for St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. This, as of September 2024.
Riggs Memorial Church was organized March 16, 1922, in a Sunday School building erected by City Temple Presbyterian Church at the corner of Greenville and Oram Streets. The church was named for the founding pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church (which merged with City Temple in 1920), Dr. Warner B. Riggs.
Abbey Presbyterian Church was established March 11, 1925, when Dr. Leon Young and some 700 members separated themselves from City Temple and met for the first time for worship in the Melba Theatre on Elm Street. In February 1926, this new church purchased a sanctuary belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Ross and Harwood.
In 1927, Riggs Memorial sold its Oram Street site to Magnolia Petroleum Company after erecting a “mission” style sanctuary at Greenville Avenue and McCommas, the first site of what was later to be this congregation.
In 1938, after the resignation of the pastors of both Riggs Memorial and Abbey churches, the decision to petition Presbytery for a consolidation was made.
The new church’s first corporate worship was held September 25th, 1938.
The Rev. Dr. James E. Detweiler was called as the church’s first pastor on December 1st, 1938. He was the pastor until January 3rd, 1954.
North Dallas Presbyterian Church was renamed Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on April 15, 1947. They sold its property at Greenville and McCommas and purchased additional lots adjoining a site the congregation had purchased in 1941 at Skillman and Mercedes, our present location.
Dr. Kenneth L. Mauldin was called as the church’s second pastor in May, 1954. Rev. Tom Ogilvie was the Assistant.
Ground was broken at Skillman and Monticello on December 5th, 1948. The Education Building was completed in 1957, and the Children’s Building and Fellowship Hall were completed and used for the first time in 1960.
Dr. Mauldin accepted another pastorate in 1962 and was succeeded by the Associate Pastor, Rev. Marshall Pinkerton on a temporary basis. The Rev. Ellsworth E. Caylor was installed as our fourth pastor on April 12th, 1964. After the retirement of Rev. Caylor, the Rev. Charles Fox was called as our interim pastor in August, 1978 and served for 10 months. The Rev. James L. McCall became our fifth pastor on July 1st, 1979. Rev. Linda Sharp was the Associate. After Rev. McCall resigned in 1990, the Rev. Clark was called as interim. In July 1991, the Rev. Martha Murchison was called as our sixth pastor. After Rev. Murchison left in 1999, Rev. Ashley A. Hood was called as our seventh pastor in June of 2000. After Rev. Hood left in 2005, Rev. Rob Leischner was called as our eighth pastor in June of 2008. He has been our pastor since that time.
