From a Sunday School on South Alston to Trail Lake Drive
Westminster Presbyterian Church has been a steady presence in southwest Fort Worth for more than a century, though the congregation's story actually begins in 1888, well outside the city limits of the time. E.A. Bowman, a Presbyterian living on Hemphill Street, noticed children playing games on Sunday mornings south of town and organized a neighborhood Sunday School in the schoolhouse on the 1500 block of South Alston. About fifty children and adults gathered for that first meeting on April 1, 1888. From those humble beginnings, College Avenue Presbyterian Church was officially established on December 15, 1897, and the congregation worshipped on College Avenue for the next three decades.
In 1928 the growing church relocated to the corner of Eighth Avenue and Myrtle Street and took the name Westminster Presbyterian Church. Commercial development eventually pushed the congregation out again, this time to the Wedgwood community on Loop 820 in 1959, and then in 1977 the membership voted to move to the present site at 7001 Trail Lake Drive. The church calls itself "the friendliest congregation" in southwest Fort Worth, and its motto still echoes the same conviction that shaped those early gatherings: "Through God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we embrace all who seek a place of spiritual growth and Christian fellowship."
A Full Sunday Morning at Westminster
The Sunday rhythm at Westminster is built around a single 10:00 a.m. worship service in the sanctuary, with the building opening early for fellowship and study. At 9:00 a.m. the Pathfinders Bible Study gathers in Room 110 for a round-table style adult study that welcomes anyone who wants to work through guided lessons together.
The 10:00 a.m. service is the heart of the morning, held in the sanctuary and livestreamed for those worshipping from home. After the service, the building stays lively: at 11:30 a.m., children in kindergarten through fifth grade meet for CLIMBers Sunday School in Room 207, where teachers Sharon and Lauren bring Bible stories to life through prayer, video, music, dance and hands-on activities. Middle and high school students gather for Crossroads Youth Bible Study in Room 115, where youth leaders join them for guided conversation about how Scripture shapes daily life. Adults have several options in the same hour: the Friendship Bible Study in Room 114, and Connect+ Bible Study in Room 112, which meets in a hybrid format that allows both in-person and online participation. The Handbell Choir rehearses in Room 302 at the same time, preparing special music for services throughout the year.
Organ, Handbells, and a Choir Loft
Music holds a central place in Westminster's worship life. Samantha Logsdon serves as Director of Music and Multimedia, and Jamisen Collier, a Furman University graduate in Music and History, has been accompanying the congregation on piano and organ since joining the church in 2022. The sanctuary organ is a working instrument in its own right; Collier has performed a recital titled "An Afternoon of Organ" on the church's YouTube channel and recorded organ arrangements of film scores such as the haunted mansion theme from The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. The handbell choir rounds out the program's range, providing special music at select services through the year. Together, these elements give the 10:00 a.m. service a clearly traditional character rooted in classic Reformed worship.
Early Learning Place, a Forty-Year Outreach
Westminster has operated the Early Learning Place (ELP) Preschool since 1984, when it was established as a community outreach program of the church. The preschool welcomes children ages 18 months through four years, with classrooms assigned by age on September 1 of each school year. Children must be potty trained to enroll in the three-year-old class. The school year runs September through May and the program closes during the summer; doors are open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuition is $250 a month for a two-day schedule and $390 a month for four days, with supply fees of $150 to $175. Debra Bell, who joined the staff in summer 2022, directs the program; she once taught at the preschool herself and later worked in technology for a local school before returning to lead it.
Weddings in the Sanctuary
The sanctuary and grounds at Westminster are available for weddings, both for church members and for couples from the wider community. The church describes the spaces as "very versatile," suited to any wedding theme, color scheme or personal style, and a wedding coordinator is available to help plan the day. A downloadable Westminster Wedding Packet outlines the details for couples getting started.
Connectional Roots in the PCUSA
Westminster is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Its pastor, the Rev. Rachael McConnell, is an Austin native and Texas Christian University graduate who studied Vocal Performance before earning her Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Her ministry has taken her through children's and family work, an Appalachian historic church, a multidenominational community and a diverse suburban congregation, and she speaks openly about valuing the connectional model of the PCUSA and the way it calls every pastor to be "an excellent friend to colleagues." Rachael and her husband Josh are the parents of four sons. Rachel McMeekin serves as Administrator; Larry Bartlett, a retired Army officer, former El Paso business owner and TCU history teacher, serves as Treasurer; and Becky Bittle serves as Clerk of Session. The Session, the congregation's governing body, is made up of fourteen Ruling Elders alongside the Clerk, Treasurer and Head of Staff.
Small Groups and the Church Center App
Westminster encourages members to stay connected throughout the week through a wide range of small groups, Bible studies, volunteer opportunities and leadership teams. A Church Center app and online portal keeps everything in one place: members can give, chat with groups, sign up for events, and connect with the congregation. Prayer requests can be submitted online, and a team of Prayer Warriors prays over each one. Anyone interested in starting a new group is encouraged to reach out to the church office.
Reaching Out from Fort Worth to the World
Westminster's generosity extends well beyond its own walls. Giving supports the upkeep of the building and local ministry, but also partners with community organizations such as Christian Community Assistance and the National Night Out Texas initiative, an annual shopping experience known as The Market, and PCUSA missionaries serving around the world. Online giving and pledge forms are available through the Church Center portal. The 2025 Annual Reports document the year's ministry in detail and are available for download, and the Session's monthly notes keep the congregation informed of the work underway between Sundays.
The Building on Trail Lake Drive
The current home of Westminster is a single campus on Trail Lake Drive in southwest Fort Worth, with the sanctuary, Sunday school classrooms, the handbell rehearsal room and the preschool all under one roof. Visitors can plan ahead using the Plan Your Visit resources, watch services live on Sunday mornings, or catch up on previous messages afterward. Whether walking through the main doors for the first time or settling in for a second decade of fellowship, members and guests at Westminster find the same thing the founders found on South Alston in 1888: a community gathered around Word and worship, ready to make room for whoever comes next.