First Church of Christ, Scientist
Why it's listed
Built in 1917 at 339 W. Kaufman in Paris, Texas, this small brick church was originally a Christian Science house of worship. It sits on a raised foundation, and broad steps lead up to a portico carried on Ionic columns. Double French doors with transoms open into the sanctuary, a heavy entablature crowns the front, and three tall arched windows light each side. The architect and builder are not known. It is listed for its architecture and its local importance. It is described as one of the earlier Christian Science churches in Texas and one of the first Beaux Arts buildings erected in Paris after the fire. The form calls it an unusually well-detailed small church and compares it favorably with Temple Freda in Bryan. It stands in an older residential area near the Paris Commercial Historic District. It is in good condition with no known alterations, but it is vacant.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the earlier Christian Science churches in Texas. It was also one of the first Beaux Arts buildings constructed in Paris after the fire, and it is an unusually well-detailed small church. It compares favorably with Temple Freda in Bryan, Texas. Its significance is local and rests on architecture.
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 88001912, listed October 26, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 339 W. Kaufman, Paris |
|---|---|
| County | Lamar County |
| Listed | October 26, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88001912 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Physical condition is good, no alterations are known, and the form lists present use as none, vacant. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.66104, -101.48452 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 88001912.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5452699
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.