Hickory in Catawba County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Houk's Chapel

1893

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 3, 2024

1. Houk's Chapel Marker

Inscription. Early rural Methodist church, built by volunteers. Named for Rev. William Kelly Houk (1855-1950), founder. National Register of Historic Places. Restored by the Hickory Landmarks Society.

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 year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 35° 44.695′ N, 81° 22.1′ W. Marker is in Hickory, North Carolina, in Catawba County. Marker is at the intersection of 9th Avenue Northwest (County Road 1337) and 17th Street Drive Northwest, on the left when traveling west on 9th Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1741 9th Ave NW, Hickory NC 28601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. "Miracle of Hickory" (approx. 0.6 miles away); L.P. Frans Stadium (approx. 0.7 miles away); Piedmont Wagon Factory (approx. 1.1 miles away); Connolly C. Gamble House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Shuford-Allran House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Jones W. Shuford House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Nillah M. Edmisten House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Edgar Lee Flowers House (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hickory.

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this marker. The '1741' on the marker is not a date. It refers to the church's street address.

Regarding Houk's Chapel. Excerpt from the National Register nomination:

Houck's Chapel, erected in 1888, testifies to the enduring strength of Methodist evangelism and the zealous devotion of one minister to carry out his missionary commitment. Born and raised in the last days of the Great Revival and imbued with its evangelistic spirit, the Reverend William K. Houck held a ten day revival in a brush arbor near Hickory in 1887. The next year a chapel was constructed and named in his honor. Though a resident of Morganton, William Houck served the congregation at Hickory for more than half a century, preaching his last sermon in April, 1947, at the age of ninety-two. The congregation dissolved shortly after his death in 1950. Houck's Chapel also represents the fragmentation of the Methodist Church, and others as well, in late nineteenth century Catawba County. As the population grew, new communities formed and the church once serving a wide territory broke into smaller units serving the "pockets" of population.

Also see . . .
1. Houk's Chapel (PDF). National Register nomination for the church, which was listed in 1983. (Prepared by Laura A.W.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 3, 2024

2. Houk's Chapel Marker

Phillips and Jerry Cross; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on February 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Houk's Chapel. Patrick Daily, executive director of the Hickory Landmarks Society, presents a video history of the chapel. It is Hickory's oldest standing house of worship. (Hickory Landmarks Society) (Submitted on February 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.