First Church of Christ, Scientist (Paris, Texas)

The First Church of Christ, Scientist at 339 West Kaufman in Paris, Texas, is a former Church of Christ, Scientist church and an historic structure that, in 1988, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was then vacant. In 2009 it was being used by a Spanish-speaking Baptist congregation.[2]

First Church of Christ, Scientist
First Church of Christ, Scientist in 2015
First Church of Christ, Scientist is located in Texas
First Church of Christ, Scientist
First Church of Christ, Scientist
First Church of Christ, Scientist is located in the United States
First Church of Christ, Scientist
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Location339 W. Kaufman,
Paris, Texas
Coordinates33°39′35″N 95°33′35″W / 33.65961°N 95.55986°W / 33.65961; -95.55986
Arealess than 1 acre (4,000 m2)
Built1917
Architectural styleClassical Revival
MPSParis MRA
NRHP reference No.88001912[1]
Added to NRHPOctober 26, 1988

It is a one-story raised brick building, with broad steps leading up to a portico of Ionic columns and a large entablature. It has double French doors with transoms leading to its sanctuary. The sides have three tall arched windows.[3][4]

Its nomination suggests it is significant as "one of the earlier Christian Science churches in Texas" and as "one of the first Beaux Arts-style buildings constructed in Paris, Texas after the fire [of 1916], it is an unusually well-detailed small church. It compares favorably with Temple Freda (NR 1984) in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas."[4]

A photo taken in Winter 1984/85 shows that a banner displaying "Ensign Christian Center" appears in the entablature above its front entrance,[4] while the 2015 photo above shows a blank banner obscuring carved letters after "FIR....".[5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ Google search for 339 W, Kaufman, Paris Texas, accessed June 18, 2009
  3. ^ Katherine Livingston (ArchiTexas); Texas Historical Commission staff (July 1987). "National Register of Historic Places: Historic Resources of Paris, Texas (Paris MRA)" (PDF). Texas Historical Commission.
  4. ^ a b c Katherine Livingston (ArchiTexas); Texas Historical Commission staff (July 1987). First Church of Christ, Scientist (excerpt of Paris MRA, but with photo(s)). National Archives. Retrieved June 4, 2021. Includes photo(s) of building. (Downloading may be slow.) Also available at THC.TEXAS.GOV.
  5. ^ File:First Church of Christ, Scientist, Paris, Texas.jpg

External links edit