Huntsville in Walker County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Powell Sanctuary

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 3, 2019

1. Powell Sanctuary Marker

Inscription. Benjamin Harrison Powell (1881-1960) was a successful lawyer in the area for fifteen years until he was appointed in 1918 by Governor Hobby as judge of the 12th District Court and subsequently to the Commission of Appeals in Austin. Marian (Rather) Powell (1881-1974) taught at Huntsville High School and Sam Houston Normal Institute, was a Huntsville school board member and the Walker County Women Suffrage chairperson. Following the death of their five-year-old son Rawley Rather Powell (b. 1918) in 1923, Benjamin and Marian wanted to create a place that could help others in times of grief. The Powells purchased 1.86 acres of forested land adjoining Powell family cemetery tracts at Oakwood in 1925 and the walkway, public gathering place and driveway rights for access and gatherings from the cemetery in 1937, with an additional two acres in 1939.

This sanctuary features one of the few full-sized American copies of "The Christus," a world-renowned piece of art by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. The statue of Christ was created from bronze with southern Georgian granite used for the pedestal on which Christ stands. Granite benches were installed for visitors to meditate and read the Sidney Lanier poem, "The Trees and the Master.” As Dr. Harry F. Estill wrote on October 10, 1934, the Christ figure "is a benediction to the citizens of Huntsville and to strangers who in the years to come will gaze upon it, and who will be inspired - as was I - by an overwhelming feeling of reverence and of worship.” Placed within Huntsville's Oakwood Cemetery, Powell Sanctuary has offered solace to those seeking comfort since 1934.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2015

Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18181.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list:

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Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 30° 43.624′ N, 95° 32.711′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Texas, in Walker County. It can be reached from the intersection of Avenue I and 9th Street. Marker is located in Oakwood Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntsville TX 77320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Charles Norton Shaver (a few steps from this marker); Harry Fishburne Estill (within shouting distance of this marker); Jesse Parker (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Honoring Unknown Graves (about 300 feet away); Joshua Houston (about 300 feet away); John William Thomason Jr. (about 400 feet away);

Powell Sanctuary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 3, 2019

2. Powell Sanctuary

Elliott Toulmin Bowers (about 400 feet away); The Rev. Thomas H. Ball (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 3, 2019

3. Powell Sanctuary

The Christus image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, February 3, 2019

4. The Christus

Benjamin Harrison Powell IV image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sam Massey, March 6, 2025

5. Benjamin Harrison Powell IV

Benjamin Harrison Powell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sam Massey, March 6, 2025

6. Benjamin Harrison Powell

NSSAR President 1948-1949 inset image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sam Massey, March 6, 2025

7. NSSAR President 1948-1949 inset

for Benjamin H. Powell

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 682 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 11, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 6, 2025, by Sam Massey of Huntsville, Texas.