First Presbyterian Church - Paris, TX
N 33° 39.598 W 095° 33.619
15S E 262592 N 3727395
Built in 1891, the historic First Presbyterian Church is a beautiful example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture at 410 W Kaufman St, Paris, TX. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Waymark Code: WM12T8K
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 07/11/2020
Views: 1
The church is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, and a 1968 Texas Historical Marker provides some background on the church's history and its sanctuary:
Organized 1861 by the Rev. John Anderson. Odd Fellows Seminary and a downtown shop were sites of early worship. Congregation built first sanctuary in 1874.
Architects for this church (built 1891) were L.B. Volk and Son. Contractor: W.R. Eubanks. Romanesque style building is of Carthage stone; has stained glass windows from Belgium. The auditorium, cruciform in plan, has a wooden, ribbed vault of beaded boards.
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The National Register's Nomination Form (see below) has but two short paragraphs:
Cruciform in plan, church features ashlar base beltcourse and lentils, lateral gables with round-headed Belgian stained-glass windows; dominant four-story tower with round-head vents surmounted by bracketed cornice element; gabled round-headed entry porch; small cupola above transcept [sic]; interior features vaulted ceiling, commemorative plaques, original pews, communion table, pulpit, early organ.
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Founded as Old School Presbyterian Church by Rev. John Anderson in 1861, the congregation commissioned the present structure in 1892; premier example locally of Richardsonian Romanesque building; is oldest remaining church structure in Paris; Capt. J.M. Daniels is said to have been instrumental in design of church.
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