Pioneer Jail Museum to host Pancake Supper benefit in effort to help restore historic Presbyterian church

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The Frio Pioneer Jail Museum Association is working to preserve and repair the historic former Pearsall Presbyterian Church building on Pecan St. and will host a Pancake Supper fundraiser on Tuesday, October 14 on the grounds of the church, now the home of The Sheppard’s Flock Christian Church.

Pastors Fred and Bea Nieto will join the group for the event.

According to museum association representatives, several major renovation projects are needed at the historical landmark.

The Pearsall Presbyterian Church was organized by the Rev. H. S. Little, with the aid of the Presbyterian Home Missions in New York on March 30, 1884 and on December 1885 the bell was rung in the new building, and dedication services were held.

The cost of the building and furnishings totaled $4,211.21.

One of the original members, who was present for this dedication, was Mrs. James E. Berry.

Martha Ford Pigford Berry was born in Madison County on February 25, 1861. Her father fought in the Civil War and after his death, the family came to Frio County in wagons. Martha, only 14 at the time, rode horseback and helped to drive a herd of cattle.

Coming through Sans Antonio, the family camped  at San Pedro Springs, the place known today as San Pedro Park. They went on to settle in the San Hollow community. Often it was she, along with a friend, who would ride to Benton City for the mail.

Martha married Jim Berry on March 22, 1882 and the couple lived on a ranch located in the Berry Ranch Road area just north of Pearsall. They had a house in Pearsall and were there during the school term for their eight children. Vacation time took them back to the ranch.

Martha was a charter member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pearsall and continued to worship in the original church until she was 104 years of age. Family members were fond of telling a story about her, noting she was more than a hundred years of age, visiting her friends in the rest home, entering and announcing, “I’ve come to see all of the old ladies here,” even though she was older than anyone there.

Together with her husband, she shared the love and respect of the entire community and her devoted family. She died on March 5, 1968 at the age of 107.