History along the Way by Utley Dan K.;Beeman Cynthia J.;

Author:Utley, Dan K.;Beeman, Cynthia J.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Published: 2013-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

NORTHCRAFT’S SAN MARCOS CHURCHES

While Edward S. Northcraft’s name is most often associated with public buildings, such as Old Main at Texas State University, he also designed a number of other structures, including churches. Two examples of his ecclesiastical work that survive in his hometown of San Marcos have been commemorated with state markers.

The Reverend Henry Thomas, a circuit preacher, established the First Christian Church in 1853 with what he described as “two zealous members.” The congregation grew steadily from that inauspicious beginning, though, and had fifty members within three years. The first church building was on Guadalupe Street, but following a split over doctrinal matters, several progressive members who withdrew asked Northcraft to design a new sanctuary on San Antonio Street in 1893. Using simple classical detailing that featured pediments and columns and emphasized the templelike massing of the rectilinear building, the architect provided a design theme reflected in later structures on the site as the congregation continued to grow. The church has since moved to new facilities, but the heritage of the early buildings remains an important part of its cherished past.

The First United Methodist Church dates to 1847 and the organizational work of a circuit rider, the Reverend Alfred B. F. Kerr. The congregation met in homes, a log house, and two earlier buildings at the present site on Hutchison Street, the latter building dating to 1872. Apparently the second building did not hold up well, for a December 1892 newspaper article noted, “A plan has been adopted for the new Methodist church and E. Northcroft [sic], architect, has been employed to superintend the work. The old building is now being torn down. . . . Everybody rejoices that the old eyesore is to disappear and that a sightly church is to take its place.” For the design of the new sanctuary, Northcraft chose elements of the Gothic Revival style, which featured steeply pitched rooflines, lancet windows and door openings, squared towers, gable bargeboard detailing, and a central tripartite window treatment on the primary façade.

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