By Loretta Fulton

Gilbert Korman’s pastor at First Central Presbyterian Church likes to joke that Gilbert has the same birthday as the church, which would make him 145 years old.

They actually share the same birthday, Feb. 27, but are separated by 50 years. Gilbert turned 95 on Feb. 27 of this year, while the church–and the city of Abilene–are observing their 145th birthday. The Presbyterian Church actually predates the founding of the city by a couple of weeks. The Presbyterians pitched a tent at the corner of North 1st and Pine streets on Feb. 27, 1881, and the city was founded on March 15. 

The current pastor of the church, Cliff Stewart, has been a part of the Korman Family’s lives since Cliff arrived in Abilene in 1993. If he needs any institutional history, he knows who to ask.

Gilbert was born and raised in Abilene, the son of G.A. and Vera Korman, and has been a member of the church all his life.

“I was christened there, I was married there, and my funeral will be there,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert and Dorothy Korman

The wedding to Dorothy Staggers took place on June 3, 1955. The sanctuary at the time was upstairs where the fellowship hall now is. Dorothy recalled how the floor was slanted, which caused a strange effect.

“I remember how much higher those heels felt,” she said. 

Dorothy, too, was born and raised in Abilene and became a Presbyterian when she married Gilbert. Both are graduates of Abilene High School, Gilbert in 1950 and Dorothy in 1954. Gilbert earned a geology degree from Hardin-Simmons University in 1957. He later established Korman Exploration.

The Korman Family grew to three sons. The youngest died, Blake, in a boating accident at age 34. One of the older sons lives in New Braunfels and the other in Austin. All three were christened at First Central Presbyterian and Blake’s funeral was held there, with Cliff officiating. Another son was married in the family’s backyard when they live in River Oaks. A former pastor of First Central Presbyterian, Roy Zuefeldt, officiated. 

Wedding day, June 3, 1955

The Kormans have lived in a house at Wesley Court for three years. Even that house has ties to First Central Presbyterian. It previously was occupied by Dr. B.J. Estes and his wife, Lale, who are now deceased.

“We sat on the same pew every Sunday morning for years,” Dorothy said.

A centerpiece of the house is a beautiful Kawai Artist Grand piano that Dorothy plays. She started playing at age 2 due to her gift of playing by ear. Walls of the home are decorated with artwork, plaques, tributes, and mementoes of their life together. 

Gilbert doesn’t need much to jog his memory of growing up in what was then First Presbyterian Church. He had two older sisters and one older brother, and they had a strict regimen on Sunday mornings.The two sisters would go in first, followed by Gilbert, then their mother, and finally Gilbert’s brother, John. 

“She separated us,” Gilbert said, to avoid a disturbance during the service.

Gilbert didn’t have fond memories of the minister at the time, Dr. T.S. Knox. He recalled that Knox had “a lot of gray hair” and threatened to call the children’s parents if they misbehaved. A favorite pastime for Gilbert and his friends was going up to the bell tower to look out the windows–until Dr. Knox caught them. After that, they never went back.

“I was scared to death of him,” Gilbert said. 

A more pleasant memory was Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Gilbert recalled specifically Mrs. Dub Wooten, Mrs. Tom Willis, and Mrs. E.G. Tikker. Mrs. Willis was memorable because she taught the kids how to use a hammer and saw at VBS. All were memorable because of the way they treated the children.

“I just remember those ladies because they were so nice,” Gilbert said. 

Another fond memory is Christmastime at the church. Just before Christmas each year, the church would give each child a sack full of candy and nuts–something that many kids didn’t get at home.

“That was always a big deal,” Gilbert said. 

A lasting memory is how many friendships were formed at church over the years. A special friend was Taylor Black, who is now deceased. Gilbert called Taylor his best friend up until the day he died.

“If it hadn’t been for that Sunday School class, I wouldn’t have known him,” Gilbert said. 

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene