St. James Methodist Church - Waco, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 31° 33.307 W 097° 07.432
14R E 678075 N 3492651
A modified Gothic Revival style church built it 1924. It features decorative brickwork, pointed arch windows, and octagonal towers.
Waymark Code: WMQB37
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/26/2016
Views: 3
Text on Historical Marker:
One of Waco's oldest churches, St. James Methodist Church was organized in 1874 by Father Anderson Brack (d. 1905). From the first worship services, conducted in a house near the Brazos river that served as a school for the black community, the congregation built several sanctuaries before completing work on this building in 1924.
From Waco Trib Article
The twin spires of St. James Methodist Church wrote a message on the skyline of downtown Waco when they rose 91 years ago.
A church founded by slaves and at that point just a generation away from the wretchedness of slavery was here to stay, and would worship in a dignified place of brick and stained glass.
The Tudor Gothic architecture of the building and the Reconstruction roots of the congregation would ultimately earn the church a state historic marker. But today, the building’s future is in question as the congregation has dwindled to fewer than 30.
Church leaders said this week they put the landmark building at Second Street and Clay Avenue on the market with the idea of moving to a more manageable building. They said the costs of insurance, utilities and maintenance on the 13,000-square-foot building threaten to consume the church’s meager tithes and offerings, and the steep stairs are an obstacle to aging members.