First Christian Church of Taylor

Duane's take

The way the official marker tells it, here's the story of the First Christian Church of Taylor. December 9, 1877. That's the date to hold onto.

Twenty-two charter members, folks who'd carried their faith all the way from churches back in what the marker calls their "old home" states, gathered together and founded this congregation. Now, they didn't have a church building yet. Not even close.

They met in an Odd Fellows hall, which, if you think about it, is about as Taylor-can-do a beginning as you could ask for. But what happened next is where the story picks up real nicely. General R.

M. Gano of Dallas came to town and preached every single day through the ensuing week. By the time he was done, twenty more people had joined.

Twenty-two charter members became forty-two in a matter of days. That's the kind of preaching that leaves a mark. The congregation wasted no time planting roots.

In 1878, they erected a church building. That got them under a proper roof. But they weren't finished dreaming.

In 1891, they built the present Gothic Revival church, designed by an architect named E. B. Mackin.

And here's what makes that building worth slowing down for: the distinctive interior has been preserved. The bell tower, well, the bell tower has been removed. But step inside, and what Mackin designed is still there, still speaking to the care that twenty-two charter members and one very persuasive general from Dallas set in motion on a December day in 1877.

What the marker says

Founded Dec. 9, 1877, with 22 charter members from churches in "old home" states. Gen. R. M. Gano of Dallas preached daily during ensuing week, and 20 others joined the church. The initial meeting was in an Odd Fellows hall. In 1878, a church building was erected. Present Gothic Revival church was built in 1891. Architect: E. B. Mackin. Distinctive interior is preserved, although bell tower has been removed. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970