First United Methodist Church
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Why it's listed
Dominating a corner lot near downtown Paris, Texas, First United Methodist Church is a massive rectangular building of three stories over a full basement, topped by a domed octagonal clerestory. A steel frame is clad in Indiana granite, with a red clay tile roof. Classical Revival elements such as Palladian windows, pedimented porticoes and Corinthian pilasters mix with Mediterranean touches, and the massing recalls Palladio's Villa Rotunda. Inside, an octagonal sanctuary lies under a large dome with a stained-glass inset. Molded acanthus leaves, swags, stenciled foliage, painted garlands and Art Nouveau-inspired lilies decorate the space. The congregation traces to 1843, and two Methodist groups merged in 1918 after a 1916 fire spurred the decision. Fort Worth architects Vanslyke and Woodruff designed the new church, which opened in the basement by 1922, with the main auditorium completed in 1924. It is noted as an unusual Texas Protestant church with decorative painting and as a local landmark. The building is in excellent condition after recent restoration.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that it is an unusual Texas example of a Protestant church with decorative interior painting. It is also a substantial architectural landmark in Paris, with a design strongly influenced by Palladian villas. It reflects the 1918 merger of two Methodist congregations.
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 83003146, listed June 21, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 322 Lamar St., Paris |
|---|---|
| County | Lamar County |
| Listed | June 21, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003146 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Vanslyke and Woodruff (architect); builder unknown |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival with Mediterranean influences |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Stated to be in excellent condition, having recently undergone extensive repairs and restoration. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.65938, -95.54933 (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 83003146.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5454008
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.