Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
St. Paul's United Methodist Church

Photographed By Jim Evans, November 9, 2012
1. St. Paul's United Methodist Church Marker
Inscription. St. Paul's United Methodist Church. . At the beginning of the 20th century, members of Houston’s Methodist community worked toward organizing a new congregation on what was then the burgeoning south end of town. In December 1905, individuals met at the J.O. Ross family home and held Christmas Eve services at the city auditorium. The congregation officially organized on January 14, 1906 with 153 charter members. Bishop Joseph Key preached the first sermon and suggested the congregation adopt St. Paul’s as its name. The Ross family gave lots at the corner of Milam and McGowen streets for a new building. Designed by R.D. Steele and consecrated in January 1909. The structure reflected a Grecian design with a dome reminiscent of Byzantine architecture., The church grew along with the city of Houston, and in the late 1920s, members launched a campaign to raise money for new facilities. Jesse H. Jones, Walter Fondren and J.M. West, Sr. each contributed $150,000, and the church hired noted architect Alfred C. Finn to design a new building at the corner of Main and Binz streets. The Neo-Gothic styling features a cruciform plan on a steel-frame structure with limestone cladding. Stained glass windows from the previous church building were incorporated into the new structure, and the impressive tower houses bells also brought from the church’s original sanctuary., St. Paul’s church members support an array of outreach, worship, education, mission, music and caring services to the community. At the turn of the 21st century, the church is a spiritual and social community center, as well as a long-standing Houston institution. . This historical marker was erected in 2006 by Texas Historical Commission. It is in Houston in Harris County Texas
At the beginning of the 20th century, members of Houston’s Methodist community worked toward organizing a new congregation on what was then the burgeoning south end of town. In December 1905, individuals met at the J.O. Ross family home and held Christmas Eve services at the city auditorium. The congregation officially organized on January 14, 1906 with 153 charter members. Bishop Joseph Key preached the first sermon and suggested the congregation adopt St. Paul’s as its name. The Ross family gave lots at the corner of Milam and McGowen streets for a new building. Designed by R.D. Steele and consecrated in January 1909. The structure reflected a Grecian design with a dome reminiscent of Byzantine architecture.
The church grew along with the city of Houston, and in the late 1920s, members launched a campaign to raise money for new facilities. Jesse H. Jones, Walter Fondren and J.M. West, Sr. each contributed $150,000, and the church hired noted architect Alfred C. Finn to design a new building at the corner of Main and Binz streets. The Neo-Gothic styling features a cruciform plan on a steel-frame structure with limestone cladding. 
Photographed By Jim Evans, November 9, 2012
2. St. Paul's United Methodist Church Marker on Bottom Left
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Stained glass windows from the previous church building were incorporated into the new structure, and the impressive tower houses bells also brought from the church’s original sanctuary.
St. Paul’s church members support an array of outreach, worship, education, mission, music and caring services to the community. At the turn of the 21st century, the church is a spiritual and social community center, as well as a long-standing Houston institution.
Erected 2006 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13591.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1876.
Location. 29° 43.576′ N, 95° 23.336′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Binz Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5501 Main Street, Houston TX 77004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Presbyterian Church of Houston (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); W. L. and Susan Clayton (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Garden Club of Houston (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clayton House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Maurice Joseph Sullivan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Holland Lodge No. 1
Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 2, 2018
3. St. Paul's United Methodist Church
(approx. 0.2 miles away); Southend Water Pumping Station (approx. ¼ mile away); General Sam Houston (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
More about this marker. Located to the left of the main entrance.
Also see . . . St. Paul's Website. (Submitted on November 11, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)

Photographed By Jim Evans, November 9, 2012
4. St. Paul's United Methodist Church from the Side

Photographed By Jim Evans
5. St. Paul's United Methodist Church Partial Front

Photographed By Jim Evans, November 9, 2012
6. St. Paul's United Methodist Church Tower
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 563 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 11, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 3. submitted on November 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Kingwood, Texas. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 11, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.