St. James Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Saint James Episcopal Church occupies the southeast corner of Monroe and Colorado Streets in La Grange, Texas. Built in 1885-86, it was the first permanent home the parish built for itself, after years of meeting in private homes, the courthouse and an adapted school building. New York architect Richard M. Upjohn, son of the prominent church designer Richard Upjohn Sr., drew the plans, and local carpenter C. Michaelis carried out construction. The Stick Style design features a two-story bell tower with an octagonal spire and crucifix, shingled wainscoting, steep gables with decorative bargeboards, stained glass windows and eyebrow dormers. Inside, exposed East Texas yellow pine trusses and original pews contrast with white plastered walls. A ca. 1940 addition for Sunday School follows the original proportions. The congregation, founded in 1855, is the only organized Episcopal group in Fayette County, and the building is regarded as one of the finest Stick Style examples in Texas.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is an outstanding example of the Stick Style, designed by the son of noted church architect Richard Upjohn Sr. It also holds importance for the social and cultural history of Fayette County as home to the county's only organized Episcopal congregation, founded in 1855.
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 76002026, listed June 18, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Monroe and Colorado Sts., La Grange |
|---|---|
| County | Fayette County |
| Listed | June 18, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76002026 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1885-86 |
| Architect / builder | Richard M. Upjohn (architect); C. Michaelis, local carpenter (construction) |
| Architectural style | Stick Style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in religious use; described as meticulously maintained, with only a ca. 1940 Sunday School addition and a 1964 hardwood floor and asbestos shingle roof as changes. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 29.90794, -96.87379 (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 76002026.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7588478
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.