Grace Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Grace Episcopal Church, at 401 N. Esplanade in Cuero, is a frame Gothic Revival church built in 1889 and dedicated the following year. The congregation was organized in 1874, and its first chapel was moved from Port Lavaca. The building has a steeply pitched gable roof with jig-sawn bargeboards, pointed arches at doorways and windows, and a large square corner tower with the main entry at its base. A polygonal spire sheathed in copper rises above the tower. A large tripartite window with stained glass dominates the facade, a trefoil marks the gable end, and lancet stained-glass windows line the side walls and apse. Stucco over the frame is the only major alteration. A one-story education annex of about 1930 behind the sanctuary repeats the Gothic detailing and counts as a contributing element. The church is described as one of Cuero's most noteworthy religious buildings and a rare local example of Gothic Revival architecture. It stands in a mostly commercial area north of the downtown core and remains in religious use.
Significance in brief: The form argues the church is one of Cuero's most noteworthy religious buildings and a rare local illustration of the Gothic Revival style. The congregation was organized in 1874, and the education wing of about 1930 is a contributing element that echoes the church's detailing.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 88001955, listed October 31, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 401 N. Esplanade, Cuero |
|---|---|
| County | DeWitt County |
| Listed | October 31, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88001955 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival church |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is described as good; the stucco exterior finish is the only major alteration. Present use is religious. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.09288, -97.28987 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 88001955.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5591116
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.