Fort Worth

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Photos of churches in the Fort Worth region, back to the 1800s

First Methodist Church is dedicated on June 10, 1945. Part of the large crowd that attended the dedication are filing out of the packed auditorium. They are standing out front of the church, mingling. There are several automobiles parked at the curb.
First Methodist Church is dedicated on June 10, 1945. For the first time in 15 years, the million-dollar structure was debt-free. Sole trusteeship passed from the Fort Worth congregation to the Methodist Church. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
FORT WORTH

The Star-Telegram’s photographers shot images of churches across Fort Worth over the decades, often during an occasion like a new building dedication or special event.

Here are several photos we found from our archives, which are part of the UT Arlington Special Collections. Got a historic photo of your church you’d like to share? Send it to mleclercq@star-telegram.com.

A street view of the little frame parish house of Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, with several automobiles parked on the street, in front of the church.
Nov. 15, 1944: “One of the first churches built in Fort Worth, Texas, is the little frame parish house of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The building is adjacent to the current church and served as headquarters for Episcopal services of the city for 35 years. The parish was built in 1877 and was used for church services until 1912 when an imposing Gothic stone church, the present building, first opened its doors. The small parish is now used chiefly for meetings of church school and various church organizations.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
May 17, 1943: A service flag honoring 80 African-American men and one woman in the armed forces was dedicated at Saint Andrew’s Methodist Church in Fort Worth. Mable Motte Barnwell is standing and holding the flag at the left and Eula Mae Brooks is holding the right side.
May 17, 1943: A service flag honoring 80 African-American men and one woman in the armed forces was dedicated at Saint Andrew’s Methodist Church in Fort Worth. Mable Motte Barnwell is standing and holding the flag at the left and Eula Mae Brooks is holding the right side. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Nov. 14, 1931: First Methodist Church Building in downtown Fort Worth.
Nov. 14, 1931: First Methodist Church Building in downtown Fort Worth. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
April 27, 1952: The Rev. H. Guy Moore plants a birthday kiss on Mrs. Maude Williamson, church secretary for 29 years, while they fill a time capsule. For her birthday, she wore an orchid corsage, gift of the church.
April 27, 1952: The Rev. H. Guy Moore plants a birthday kiss on Mrs. Maude Williamson, church secretary for 29 years, while they fill a time capsule. For her birthday, she wore an orchid corsage, gift of the church. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
First Methodist Church is dedicated on June 10, 1945. Part of the large crowd that attended the dedication are filing out of the packed auditorium. They are standing out front of the church, mingling. There are several automobiles parked at the curb.
First Methodist Church is dedicated on June 10, 1945. For the first time in 15 years, the million-dollar structure was debt-free. Sole trusteeship passed from the Fort Worth congregation to the Methodist Church. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
First Methodist Church dedication in 1945. The Rev. Warren Johnston, left, and Bishop A. Frank Smith of Houston, Texas. Johnston is the pastor. He is wearing a suit with a carnation pinned to the lapel. Bishop Smith is presiding bishop of the Central Texas Conference who accepted the building for the denomination. He is dressed in a suit with a carnation pinned to his lapel. The men are at altar examining the framed, canceled note which lifted the last of the congregation's indebtedness.
First Methodist Church dedication on June 10, 1945. The Rev. Warren Johnston, left, and Bishop A. Frank Smith of Houston, Texas. The men are examining the framed, canceled note which lifted the last of the congregation’s indebtedness. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
June 14, 1950: University Christian Church’s $450,000 educational and recreational building, with the main entrance to be at the carillon tower, adjoining the old structure.
June 14, 1950: University Christian Church’s $450,000 educational and recreational building, with the main entrance to be at the carillon tower, adjoining the old structure. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
A view of Polytechnic Methodist Church from a street corner across an intersection. The church has several stained glass cathedral windows.
Aug. 28, 1952: Polytechnic Methodist Church at East Rosedale and Collard streets. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
An exterior view of the front of the church
March 16, 1953: The new $100,000 Castleberry Baptist Church, 1204 Roberts Cutoff Road, to be dedicated on Easter Sunday by the pastor, Rev. David A. Cavin. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
The three men are wearing ceremonial robes. Bishop O'Brien is holding a staff.
June 15, 1941: Standing outside Saint William’s Church in Arlington are, left to right, Monsignor Joseph G. O’Donohoe, Bishop William D. O’Brien and Bishop Joseph P. Lynch. Taken during the dedication service. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Photograph of the original Broadway Baptist Church, taken in 1866. Text at the bottom of the photograph reads, “Cottage Gallery.”
Photograph of the original Broadway Baptist Church, taken in 1866. Text at the bottom of the photograph reads, “Cottage Gallery.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Interior of Saint Mary's Catholic Church, 509 W. Magnolia Ave. The church has a barrel vault ceiling, with hanging-globe lights, decorations of religious statues and paintings. There are medallions seen above the stained glass windows.
Oct. 1, 1944: Interior of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 509 W. Magnolia Ave. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Grace Methodist Church. Signs of construction such as bare soil and gravel surround a modest brick church building at the corner of Calmont Avenue and Clover Lane in West Fort Worth. There are architectural features in the brick work that reference the buttresses found on large churches and cathedrals, there are ornamental leaded glass windows and the name of the church is placed in a glass piece over the double doors into the building. Next door to the church is a modest light colored house with an ornamental rail above the small front porch. Shutters embellish the windows and a rough hedge stands in front of the building. This is the parsonage. Clipping: "Its Dedication Is Today. Grace Methodist Church at Calmont and Clover Lane will be dedicated Sunday. At right is the parsonage, occupied by Rev. W. F. Smith.
Oct. 31, 1943: Grace Methodist Church ahead of its dedication. Signs of construction such as bare soil and gravel surround a modest brick church building at the corner of Calmont Avenue and Clover Lane in West Fort Worth. Next door to the church the parsonage for the Rev. W. F. Smith. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Sept. 4, 1944: A groundbreaking ceremony for an addition to the Fort Worth Boulevard Methodist Church, which will cost $12,000. A large crowd is standing in the area where the building will be constructed. Front and center in the crowd are: Norman Moore (kneeling), Mrs. W. R. Lovelace (standing behind Mr. Moore) and Dr. C. F. Hayes (right of Mrs. Lovelace). Mr. Moore, the secretary is dressed in a suit and reading from the Bible. Mrs. Lovelace, treasurer, is wearing a button-up dress. Dr. Hayes is the acting chairman of the building committee.
Sept. 4, 1944: A groundbreaking ceremony for an addition to the Fort Worth Boulevard Methodist Church, which will cost $12,000. A large crowd is standing in the area where the building will be constructed. Front and center in the crowd are: Norman Moore (kneeling), Mrs. W. R. Lovelace (standing behind Mr. Moore) and Dr. C. F. Hayes (right of Mrs. Lovelace). Mr. Moore, the secretary is dressed in a suit and reading from the Bible. Mrs. Lovelace, treasurer, is wearing a button-up dress. Dr. Hayes is the acting chairman of the building committee. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
A street view of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1206 Throckmorton St., in 1937. Also visible are Paul’s Cafe, Howard Printing and Carl Neely Cleaners on W. 11th St.
March 11, 1937: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1206 Throckmorton St. Also visible are Paul’s Cafe, Howard Printing and Carl Neely Cleaners on W. 11th St. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Circa 1910: First Baptist Church, 4th and Throckmorton Street in Fort Worth, was built in the 1880s and burned in 1912. The Rev. J. Frank Norris, pastor.
Circa 1910: First Baptist Church, 4th and Throckmorton Street in Fort Worth, was built in the 1880s and burned in 1912. The Rev. J. Frank Norris, pastor. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Nov. 1, 1955: Workmen remove 43-year-old bells from the steeple of old First Presbyterian Church for repair and to move to a new church building on Penn Street in Fort Worth.
Nov. 1, 1955: Workmen remove 43-year-old bells from the steeple of old First Presbyterian Church for repair and to move to a new church building on Penn Street in Fort Worth. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
First Methodist Church, 7th and Taylor streets in downtown Fort Worth in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
First Methodist Church, 7th and Taylor streets in downtown Fort Worth in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
1939: Broadway Baptist Church’s new $102,000 education building at 305 W. Broadway Ave., Fort Worth
1939: Broadway Baptist Church’s new $102,000 education building at 305 W. Broadway Ave., Fort Worth Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
Interior of St. Patricks Catholic Church draped with flags.
Interior of St. Patricks Catholic Church draped with flags. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections
1952: The edifice of the First Presbyterian Church in Arlington, dedicated in 1920, was constructed at a cost of less than $35,000 under the pastorate of Reverend S. M. Bennett.
1952: The edifice of the First Presbyterian Church in Arlington, dedicated in 1920, was constructed at a cost of less than $35,000 under the pastorate of Reverend S. M. Bennett.
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This story was originally published July 31, 2022 at 5:00 AM.

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Matt Leclercq
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Matt Leclercq is senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He previously was an editor at USA Today in Washington, national news editor at Gatehouse Media in Austin, and executive editor of The Fayetteville (NC) Observer. He’s a New Orleans native.
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