Before launching into the subject that the above title indicates, it is important to note, first, that women have always played a significant role in the life of the church, in general, and in the Presbyterian Church, in particular, and second, that in its papers and publications the PHSSW has pointed to the contributions women have made over the years. For example, the 1998 Annual Proceedings was devoted to the serious role some women made in the four states covered by the Society (including in the Cumberland Church). In addition, in 2003 Judy Fletcher delivered a presentation on the important role Helen Robson Walton played in the life of the Presbyterian Church. In 2006 Judy Fletcher and Elizabeth Johnson Pense made presentations on the history in the Presbyterian Church of the ordination of women as ministers (Judy) and elders (Elizabeth). Finally, in 2018 Mike Miller presented a paper on the story of Melinda Rankin, a 19th century Presbyterian missionary to Mexicans in south Texas.
One of the two women featured in this column was the subject of an excellent paper delivered in 1998 by Lisa Neely. Ms. Neely wrote about the life and work of Henrietta Chamberlain King. The daughter of a Presbyterian minister, Hiram Chamberlain, Henrietta was born in 1832 in Booneville, Missouri. Influenced by the missionary, Daniel Baker, Hiram moved to Brownsville, Texas where he organized the first Protestant Church on the lower Rio Grande in 1850. He remained there until his death in 1866. At the age of 18 years Henrietta became a teacher in Melinda Rankin’s Rio Grande Female Institute. From her students she learned to speak Spanish fluently and her love for the Mexican people grew
In 1854 Henrietta married a young boat captain who had begun buying land throughout south Texas, Richard King (1824-1885) which eventually became known as the King Ranch. Together, they had five children. After her husband died in 1885, Henrietta not only ran the affairs of the ranch, but she also worked on fulfilling one of the dreams she and her husband had of founding a town which would cultivate the kind of Christianity her father so loved. To that end, Henrietta donated several town lots to any church congregation that wished to build a place of worship. One of those that took her up on that offer was the Presbyterian church.
In addition, when Western Texas and Fort Worth Presbyteries overtured the Synod of Texas in 1911 to build a “Mexican Industrial Institute for Boys”, Mrs. King offered 640 acres south of Kingsville for the school’s use. Her offer was accepted. That school’s first president was Rev. James Skinner. It grew and in 1956 “Tex-Mex” merged with the girls’ school in Taft, Texas, “Pres-Mex” to form the Presbyterian Pan American School. In 2012 the School celebrated its centennial and today educates young people from all over the world (Korea, China, Africa, Mexico, Columbia, among others).
Henrietta King died in 1925, but her legacy lives on.
Sarah Catherine Perry was born in 1828 in Newport, Rhode Island. Her father, Captain James Perry, moved his family to Galveston, Texas in 1839, the same year George Ball moved to that city. It was the year of the cholera epidemic. In 1848 she married George Ball who opened the banking firm, Ball, Hutchings & Company in 1854. According to her obituary, Sarah Ball was the last charter member of First Presbyterian Church in Galveston.
The Balls contributed to many causes, including hospitals as well as Presbyterian schools and colleges, gifts which more often than not were given anonymously. George Ball, for whom Ball High School is named, died in 1884. However, Sarah continued the couples’ philanthropic activities, including a crucial
gift of $75,000 in 1902 to a fledgling Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In addition, she gave liberally to Presbyterian home and foreign mission causes, to Austin College, and to the construction and furnishings of the Broadway Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth. Sarah Ball died June 10, 1904 in Fort Worth where her daughter lived.
Over the centuries people have contributed to the life of the church in the name of Jesus Christ in many different ways. Certainly one of the ways is by generous financial support. Henrietta King and Sarah Ball are but two examples of such generosity. There are others, both men and women, and we give thanks to God for their liberality in giving.
The Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest encourages individuals and congregations to learn about and give thanks for those in their own churches who have selflessly and generously contributed in such a way that the gospel is lived and proclaimed “from generation to generation”. We do indeed stand on their shoulders. Thanks be to God!
