Westminster (/wɛstˈmɪnstər/)[3] is a census-designated place (CDP) in northeastern Collin County, Texas, United States.

The college, a preparatory school for prospective ministers, was named after Westminster, Maryland, a Methodist stronghold in an otherwise predominantly Catholic state.

Around the same time, the Greenville and Whitewright Northern Traction Company built a railway line from Anna to Blue Ridge that passed through Westminster.

Economic and population growth followed afterward, and from the turn of the 20th century into the 1920s, Westminster served as a cotton market and trade center for local farmers.

During the night of May 9, 2006, at around 10:30 P.M., an F3 tornado swept through the small community of Westminster, leveling many homes, damaging several others, and killing 3.

With marginal sales tax revenues, and a weak property tax base, Westminster was unable to recover from various mismanagement; embezzlement of state grant money and poor record-keeping led to a massive debt that, since 1997, had left the city seeking bankruptcy.

This debt, of unpaid traffic fine revenues and a misappropriated (and unused) sewer grant, totalled over $300,000 USD.

Twice, the city of Westminster sought to declare for bankruptcy; the first effort, in 2001, failed after creditors rejected a payout plan.

In early 2004, the state agencies agreed to relinquish their claims, provided that Westminster disincorporate.

That summer, the city council started a petition drive to gather enough signatures to place the matter of disincorporation on the ballot for the May 2005 elections.

Those in favor of the matter, including then-mayor Phil Goplin, stated that disincorporation would keep the city from stagnating; without any cashflow or a sewer system, it is unable to attract the development of its neighboring municipalities.

With the loss of its charter, the city retains its name as a community, but is officially an unincorporated part of Collin County.

Had Westminster remained incorporated after the election, the city's sales tax receipts would have been withheld until half the debt was repaid.

[22] Westminster regained recognition in 2007 after a bar, now named The Gar Hole, began attracting regular crowds of motorcycle riders.