Christ Church, Houston
historic place
Christ Church in Houston, Texas, was founded on March 16, 1839, making it Houston's first religious congregation. It is the only community in the city still worshiping on its original site, from when Houston was the capital of the Republic of Texas. The first permanent church building, a small brick structure, was completed in 1847. This building was soon outgrown. A second brick church was begun in 1859 and later enlarged in 1876. The present Gothic Revival building, designed by J. Arthur Tempest and Silas McBee, was erected in 1893. In 1938, a major fire gutted the chancel, but an ornately carved rood screen was saved. Christ Church was designated the Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas in 1949. This historic place in Harris County is recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, designated in 1972, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Christ Church provides a continuous link to Houston's early history and architectural development.