Congregational Church of Austin - Austin, TX - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

The history of the Congregational Church of Austin, Texas, begins in the early part of the 20th century. The minister, Rev. Ritchie J. Briggs (at right), of Tenth St. Methodist Church (located at what is currently Brazos and Mulberry (Tenth) Streets), ceased believing in a literal hell and had other problems with the Methodist hierarchy. Twelve followers signed Articles of Incorporation on March 21, 1901, and filed them with the State of Texas on April 2, 1901, to become an independent church named The Methodist Church of Austin.

Funding the new church was difficult, and the members decided to affiliate with the Congregational Conference of Texas and changed the name of their church to First Congregational Church in 1904. The conference made low interest loans available. Arthur Osborn Watson (1864-1935), an architect and member of the church, designed the building, which was completed in 1906 at Ninth and Colorado St. Stained glass windows in the present building are a heritage from that building.

Reverend Briggs became ill in 1914 and had to have assistants to aid him. Assistant ministers included Reverends John Harbeson, Dr. P. C. Burhans, A. D. Shaw and A. O. Stevens. The inability of Reverend Briggs to preach resulted in a serious loss of membership. The next few years became a period of transition as the leaders of the church decided to move to a location nearer the University of Texas in 1921.

The land at 23rd and San Antonio Streets was purchased, and a new building designed by Hugo Franz Kuehne, an architect member, was dedicated on Dec. 9, 1923. Mr. Kuehne incorporated many of the stained glass windows from the former sanctuary into the design of our current church."

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