Central Christian Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, in my own words. Back in 1888, a reverend by the name of M.F. Smith founded the Central Christian Church out here on the Texas frontier.

Six years later, in 1894, they set out to build something that would stop a traveler in their tracks. And stop them it did. Craftsmen Roger Brothers and R.

Chenowith raised up a Gothic Revival sanctuary at a time when that style was about as rare as a cold front in August in this part of Texas. One of the first of its kind in the whole area, they say. Now, Gothic Revival is not a modest style.

It makes demands. Those craftsmen answered every one of them. Look up and you'll catch the steeply-pitched gables reaching hard toward the sky.

Look to the sides and there are the lancet windows, those tall narrow arches that pull the light in like the building itself is asking a question. Step inside, and the fine interior woodwork will finish the sentence for you. Roger Brothers and R.

Chenowith built something in 1894 that was never meant to blend in, on a frontier that had plenty of plain and practical to go around. The Reverend Smith founded a church. Those two craftsmen built it a home worth keeping.

And here it still stands.

What the marker says

This sanctuary was constructed in 1894, six years after Central Christian Church was founded by The Rev. M.F. Smith. Built by craftsmen Roger Brothers and R. Chenowith, the Gothic Revival structure was one of the first of its style to appear in this area of the Texas frontier. Outstanding features of the church building include the steeply-pitched gables, lancet windows, and fine interior woodwork. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962.