Reading and Religion: Schools and Churches in Downtown Arlington

As part of our Arlington 150 blog series in partnership with the Arlington Historical Society, we’re highlighting the places, people, and stories that have shaped our city over the past 150 years. This month, we're exploring the impact of schools and churches in and around Downtown Arlington.

Faith and education are cornerstones of a community, often interwoven and contributing directly to its general well-being and success. In pioneer days, churches and schools were closely linked, often sharing a single building—a common foundation that forged a lasting bond between the two.

Churches

When a community forms, churches are often its earliest gathering places—serving as houses of worship, social hubs for fellowship, and elements of local identity. Many pioneer congregations met in temporary structures before building permanent sanctuaries, frequently led by circuit-riding itinerant ministers. Church leaders also frequently became prominent civic figures. For instance, the "Father of Arlington," Andrew Hayter, was a Presbyterian minister who founded several local churches.

The First Baptist Church of Arlington organized in 1871 in Johnson Station, a frontier outpost and stagecoach stop located in present-day Arlington. A group of 17 people joined Elder John Burnett to establish the area's first Baptist congregation. When the Texas and Pacific Railway arrived in 1876, creating the settlement of Arlington along the tracks, the church relocated to the new townsite alongside many settlers, eventually leading to Johnson Station's decline.

Arlington's oldest church within the original townsite is First United Methodist Church, which began meeting shortly after the town was founded. In 1877, the Reverend J.T.L. Annis began leading the congregation, which initially gathered in a local lumber yard. By 1885, a small wooden church stood at its current location, replaced by a larger brick sanctuary in 1907. Though destroyed by major fires in 1918 and 1954, the church continually rebuilt and expanded to serve the growing city.

The story of faith runs especially deep in "The Hill," Arlington's historic Black community located northwest of the original downtown. Following emancipation, Black residents built strong community foundations through family and faith. By the 1890s, churches became essential pillars, offering spiritual guidance, community support, and safe space. Mount Olive Baptist Church, Arlington Church of God in Christ, and Armstrong Chapel AME were all organized during this era and remain active today, with Mount Olive growing into one of Arlington's largest congregations.

Fittingly, First Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church anchor the south and north boundaries of the original townsite. While organizations like Mission Arlington / Mission Metroplex are not traditional churches, they are faith-based, providing vital support to the community.

Schools

Schools became equally important when a community formed, offering structure and an anchor for growth. Settlers often choose locales with established schools, seeing them as a sign that the town was thinking long-term. Schools quickly wove themselves into town life, often serving as the largest non-commercial buildings in the area, uniting children and adults alike.

As Arlington did not immediately have a dedicated public school building, early classes met wherever space was available, often in informal settings. One of the town's earliest educational institutions was Arlington College, a forerunner to UTA, established in 1895. Despite its name, it wasn't a traditional college by modern standards—it served grades first through tenth. Over the decades, the institution evolved through various stages—a military academy, vocational school, and state college—before becoming a major university in 1967.

The Arlington Independent School District (AISD) was formally organized in 1902. That same year, the district constructed a $12,000 two-story brick schoolhouse at 316 W. Main Street. Principal J.J. Johnston—who also served as AISD's first superintendent—led an assistant principal and six teachers who served 365 students.

The North Side School opened in 1907 on Center Street to accommodate Arlington's growing population on the north side of town. Tragically, the brick building was destroyed by a fire in 1909. While a new brick building was under construction, a temporary wooden structure was erected and used for a single term. (You can visit it today at Knapp Heritage Park in Downtown Arlington, alongside two mid-1800s log cabins.) In the late 1930s, a new brick building was erected on the site and opened in 1939 as John A. Kooken Elementary School, honoring the well-respected AISD superintendent who served from 1913 to 1937. Today, it operates as the Kooken Educational Center, providing specialized preschool programs.

In 1922, with a population of about 3,000, Arlington opened its first dedicated high school building at Cooper and Abram Streets. The building became Ousley Junior High in 1956 when Arlington High School moved to its current location at Cooper and Park Row. The structure was later acquired by UTA, housing its School of Social Work for many years. The historic building still stands on campus today.

Another notable school near downtown is the Booker T. Washington School. Named for the prominent Black educator, author, and civil rights leader, the school opened in 1954 and initially featured eight classrooms serving students in first through eighth grades. A vital institution for Black students, the school remained segregated until it closed in the mid-1960s when Arlington integrated its schools. Today, the building still stands on Houston Street and is now the Green Oaks School for students with special needs.

While downtown may be better known today for its extracurricular activities or 'recess,' schools were a significant part of its early years.

Diversity and Growth

Churches and schools have long been prominent features of Arlington, dating back to the town's earliest days. As Arlington has grown to over 400,000 residents, dozens of churches and schools now dot the city, serving a diverse population with varied spiritual and educational needs. Founded by a preacher and deeply rooted as a college town, Arlington has long embraced faith and academic diversity—creating a vibrant community where people can live, work, play, learn, and pray.

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About the Author

Jason S. Sullivan is a blogger exploring the past and present of Arlington. He has contributed several local history articles to the City of Arlington's website. As a board member, newsletter editor, and social media manager for the Arlington Historical Society, he is instrumental in sharing local history and preserving stories for future generations. In 2023, he received the Debbie Reynolds-Hazen Award, recognizing a younger individual for leadership in collecting and preserving Tarrant County's history. Visit his blog at JasonSSullivan.com.