Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Immaculate Conception Church in 1906

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023

1. Immaculate Conception Church in 1906 Marker

Inscription.
The first Catholic church in Fort Smith was a log structure at North 3rd and D Street. The Church of St. Patrick was dedicated March 5, 1848. Bishop Andrew Byrne had purchased a square mile of land on the outskirts of Fort Smith in 1847, upon which stood the abandoned Fort Belknap, which had been commanded by future President Zachary Taylor. In 1853, five Sisters of Mercy arrived from Ireland and established a convent and school. During the Civil War they cared for the sick and injured of both sides. A white frame church erected at the head of Garrison Avenue in 1867 served the congregation until damaged by a deadly Jan. 11, 1898 cyclone. The magnificent red brick and cut-stone church designed by Chicago architect Adolphus Druiding was dedicated June 1, 1899.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 5, 1848.

Location. 35° 22.999′ N, 94° 25.123′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. Marker is on North 13th Street north of Garrison Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in church parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 N 13th St, Fort Smith AR 72901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Texas Corner in 1958 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Towson Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); The New Theatre in 1911 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Great Cyclone at Fort Smith (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Reserve (approx. 0.4 miles away); United Spanish War Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); 50 Year Concrete Street Service Award • 1963 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sebastian County California Gold Seekers (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.

Also see . . .
1. Our History. The founding and initial growth of our Parish coincides with the exodus of Catholics from Ireland during the 1840s and 1850's. (Immaculate Conception Church) (Submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Immaculate Conception Church. The first church for Fort Smith’s Catholic congregation was a small log building constructed in 1848. (Cyrus A. Sutherland, Society of Architectural Historians Archipedia) (Submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. West Garrison Avenue Historic District (Boundary Increase) (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for an expansion of the original district, which included the church

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 15, 2023

2. Immaculate Conception Church in 1906 Marker

and was listed in 2001. (Prepared by Sandra Taylor Smith; via National Archives) (Submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Immaculate Conception Church image. Click for full size.

Carol M. Highsmith via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), November 6, 2020

3. Immaculate Conception Church

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 43 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.