Historic Churches

There are historic churches all over the western United States, many of whose origins go all the way back to the 1800's. These churches are all fine additions to your western vacation planner and we want to highlight just a few of these in this article.

Churches of the West

Your western road trip will include towns and cities which hold a lot of history. Much of the history can be learned by visiting some of the museums we've highlighted in Western Trips articles. In addition to this, the historic churches also tell much about a town's history. Just like the first courthouse and hotel and saloon was built by the local citizenry, so it was the same with the many early churches that dotted the old west. In addition to different architectural designs which in itself is very interesting, the church in the old west also tells us much about the people who originally inhabited a settlement.

St. Peter's Chapel, Mare Island California

St. Peter's Chapel

St. Peter's Chapel / Mare Island California was built in the year 1901. This is one of the historic churches in northern California featuring a collection of twenty-five Comfort Tiffany stained- glass windows that illuminate the chapel. Located adjacent to Vallejo California and on the old Mare Island Naval Base, St. Peter's Chapel is one of Vallejo's best secrets. Mare Island and the city of Vallejo are located at the northern end of San Francisco Bay. St. Peter's brown-shingled structure is a great example of Craftsman architecture. The simple lines of the chapel and it's wood tones and rustic charm set off the brilliance of the windows beautifully. Of special note is that more than 5,000 Tiffany windows over a period of fifty years  were constructed throughout the U.S. as part of an American Renaissance that replaced much of the ornamentation of Victorian design. If you ever have an opportunity to view an exhibit of true Tiffany windows this is a great site to do it.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5019794/modest-chapel-in-vallejo-features.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5019794/modest-chapel-in-vallejo-features.html#storylink=cpy

St. Peter's Chapel on Mare Island is the oldest surviving Navy chapel in the United States. The effort of preserving Saint Peter's windows and providing access to the public is the work of  the Mare Island Foundation. The foundation is comprised of all volunteers. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit organization.

First United Methodist Church

First United Methodist Church, San Marcos TX

First United Methodist Church in San Marcos Texas, between San Antonio and Austin on the Interstate 35 corridor, is an imposing site that you can't miss while visiting San Marcos. The First Methodist Church building on this site goes all the way back to 1853. The current church sanctuary dates back to 1893 and still has the original walnut pews and pulpit. Some of the updates over the years included a pipe organ in 1912 which was the first ever pipe organ in San Marcos and cost the church about $3,500 at the time. When electricity came to this part of Texas in 1924 the organ was converted into electric. Art glass windows were added to the church in 1938. The bell that hangs in the church chapel is thought to be the oldest artifact in San Marcos.

The First United Methodist Church in San Marcos was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Emmanuel Episcopal Church located in Grass Valley California has the distinction of being the oldest Episcopal Church in California. Established in 1855 during the latter California Gold Rush days, the church is still an active place of worship. Emmanuel Church history  Emmanuel's history is much the same as the miners and frontier pioneers that settled the area as part of the California Gold Rush. The church address is 235 South Church Street.

Grass Valley is in Nevada County California in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The town of Grass Valley grew from an original mining camp the same as most others in this part of California.

During the mid 1800's there was a strong effort to establish a library in Grass Valley. The town sprouting from a small mining camp was now a prosperous and growing settlement and to ensure that the culture was improving, a library was a necessity. While the church was established during the 1850's, it wasn't until the year that the non-denominational Emmanuel Church Library was created to provide library services. About ten years later the city of Grass valley took over operations of the library and subsequently received a large grant from the Carnegie Foundation for the building of a new facility. That building is today's library at 207 Mill Street.


Nuestra Senora de las Remedios de Galisteo


Nuestra Senora de los Remedios de Galisteo, the Catholic church shown in this article, was completely rebuilt in 1706 after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and the pueblo resettled by 150 families of the “Tano Nation.” Prior to the revolt, the original church building had three naves whereas the rebuilt one here has only one. 

Nuestra Senora de los Remedios de Galisteo

When De Vargas explored the area after the Spaniard's return in 1692 he found all of the former pueblos Galisteo empty of inhabitants. It wasn't until about 1706 that families once again resettled there.

Galisteo lies in the next valley east of Santa Fe where Native Americans first came in contact with Europeans during the Coronado Expedition of 1540. Today, archeologists have identified nine pueblo ruins within the Galisteo Valley. Out of the nine ruins, two are on the north side and seven on the south side of the valley. Founded in circa 1250 AD, and with an estimated population of 350 in 1749, the Galisteo Pueblo was totally abandoned by the Indians in 1792. The reasons cited for the abandonment were a small pox epidemic as well as continual raids form the Comanche Indians. Galisteo is located about 23 miles south of Santa Fe New Mexico.


Links to three additional Western Trips photo articles you'll enjoy include the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe New Mexico...Mission San Francisco de Asis outside of Taos New Mexico and the Carmel Mission in Carmel California.

Lebanon Baptist Church, Frisco TX

Lebanon Baptist Church

The photo shown in this article is of the Lebanon Baptist Church in Frisco Texas. Frisco is a far northern suburb of Dallas. The first church building was constructed in 1883. That building was destroyed by a storm in March of 1904. The church seen here is the one constructed later in 1904.

The town of Lebanon which continued to grow was overtaken by a new town nearby named "Frisco" as a result of the railroad coming there in 1902. Many of the people of Lebanon decided to relocate their homes and businesses to Frisco in anticipation of the commerce brought in because of the new railroad line.

The Lebanon Baptist Church exhibit is now located at the Frisco Heritage Center. The church remained in Lebanon and continued to hold services in this same structure until 2003 when the members donated it to the City of Frisco for use in the Frisco Heritage Center.

The Frisco Heritage Center is a fun and educational place to visit with the family. It's located just east of the Frisco City Hall and Library on Page Street. The Heritage Center is located on about six acres of City property adjacent to the BNSF Railroad. In addition to an excellent museum building, it contains eight structures plus a steam locomotive and wooden caboose.

These are just a few of the many historic churches located throughout the western United States. Depending on where your next vacation or road trip might take you, any and all of these sites are good additions to your trip planner.

(Photos from author's private copyrighted collection)

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5019794/modest-chapel-in-vallejo-features.html#storylink=cpy