• Gary Dunnam - Director of Victoria Preservation Inc.
• Originally published May 24, 2008 at 4:53 p.m., updated May 24, 2008 at 4:53 p.m.

The Methodist community in Victoria traces its roots to December 1840.

The church edifice pictured in the photo above came into being in 1911.

The congregation had moved from Diamond Hill to 110 West Santa Rosa streets in the interim.

Plans for the new building were drawn by Hull and Praeger, local architects.

The spacious structure – 67 by 100 feet – featured a full basement and a dome, which soared 56 feet above Bridge and Power streets.

The sanctuary was 41 by 47 feet with a seating capacity of 302.

On March 27, 1911, bids were opened and the low bid of $18,413 was submitted by contractor J. W. Sample.

Later that same day, the Advocate reported that the contract had been awarded in the amount of $15,762.25. The work was expected to take eight months.

An unnamed hurricane of unusual ferocity blew through Victoria in 1942.

Winds from the north severely damaged this noble structure, necessitating the removal of the stately dome.

The steeple of Trinity Episcopal Church was blown across Forrest Street during this same storm.

Following repairs to the building, this structure continued to serve the congregation until 1959.

The congregation marched from the old edifice down Bridge Street on June 15, 1959 to the El Rancho Theatre, where services were held until the present building was completed and occupied on May 15, 1960.

• Print
• •
• Share
  • Share this item

    Send this to a friend

    Share on FaceBook

  • Grab the link

    Copy and paste the link:

  • Blog about it

    Blog about this page.

  • Close
• •
• Post a Comment
• •
• Favorite
• •
• Report error
  • Thank you for your submission.
    Error report or correction

    Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  

    
  • Close
• •