Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


Freestone - Past & Present
By J.R. ‘Sonny’ SESSIONS

WESTMINSTER COLLEGE

Written June 2006


Located a few miles west of Wortham on Tehuacana Hill the highest location in Limestone Co. at 
575 elevation it the oldest community in the County. A picturesque and historic place with its 
flowing springs and home of the Tehuacana Indians for many years. Sitting on the Balcones 
Escarpment a large limestone formation that separates the Blackland Prairie from the Post Oak 
Savannahs. 
 
The Indian Treaty between numerous tribes and the Republic of Texas of 18A4 opened the area for 
settlement. John Boyd was the first to take advantage to land formerly owned by the Tehuacana 
Indians. In Oct. 1845 he settled the area. A veteran of San Jacinto, and one of the very earliest 
whites in the area. In 1849 he bid to make Tehuacana the Capital of Texas which unsuccessful. 
 
He did influence the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to establish Trinity University here in 1869. 
Trinity moved to Waxahachie in 1902 and deeded the property to the Methodist Protestant Church 
and it became Westminster College. In 1942 the property was given to Southwestern University. 
The only college in the area for many years with a large ex-students association today. My 
Grandfather Carter Sessions attended in the early years, my sister Leah attended in the early 
1940s. I visited friends here on occasion but attended Navarro Junior College after WWII. At one 
time there was a railroad that was discontinued in 1942. 
 
Westminster was closed by Southwestern in 1950 with different church groups trying their luck for a 
while until permanently closed and sold to private individuals. A few low budget movies were filmed 
here. An Austin businessman bought it and started extensive restoration until his murder under 
suspicious circumstances. The dome which could be seen for many miles was removed and had 
never been replaced. I lived several miles from here but able to see without any problem until the 
dome removed. I believe an Ex-Students Assn. is now the owner with plans for restoration. 
 
It was, and still is, a very impressive building sitting silently in this little town that worth a trip to 
see. There are several stories in the large limestone building, the large stones taken from a local pit 
and have been told were cut by Stone Masons brought over from Scotland and they still fit with 
exactitude. I have been told this the first Co-Ed college in Texas, it had the first indoor basketball 
court and the acoustics in the auditorium so good no speaking system was needed. 
 
If you have not seen this majestic old building it be worth your time, it can be seen in the distance 
from FR 27 coming from Wortham. You will also find the community of Tehuacana very interesting 
with lots of history. 
 
For Kirven’s recognition of its Centennial a 44-page booklet has been published with some historic 
information and early day photos It was late in getting started and if there is enough interest there 
may possibly be another with family histories and such. They are available at the Kirvin Post Office 
and different locations in in at a cost of $10 each which all can afford; any profit will go to the Kirvin 
Vol. Fire Dept. The annual Kirvin Reunion is Saturday June 10th at the Church Fellowship Hall with a 
catered noon meal. Come join us. 
 
This Centennial book would not have been possible without the Rev. Mark Miller pastor of the Grace 
Baptist Church on FR 27, a printer by trade and with equipment to do this kind of work. He does 
printing, business cards and such for the public. His phone number is 903-390-0165.