Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church
Why it's listed
Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church stands in Moravia, Lavaca County, Texas. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 21, 1983, as one of several Texas churches grouped together because of their decorative interior painting. The surviving paperwork for this entry is largely a cover sheet, photograph captions and a topographic map, so the written description and statement of significance are not available. The captions, from photographs taken in October 1980 by Linda C. Flory for the Texas Historical Commission, show exterior views from the northeast and southwest. They also show interior views toward the apse, a detail of the apse, the ceiling, a ceiling panel, a ceiling medallion, and painted wall and ceiling surfaces. These images indicate that the painted interior is the main reason for the listing. The date of construction, the builder and the architectural style are not stated in the available text.
Significance in brief: The available text does not include the nomination narrative. It was listed as part of the Churches with Decorative Interior Painting thematic group, which indicates its significance relates to its painted interior decoration. The photo captions refer to painted ceiling panels, a ceiling medallion, the apse, and wall and ceiling painting.
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 83003148, listed June 21, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence low).
Key facts
| Address | FM 957, Moravia |
|---|---|
| County | Lavaca County |
| Listed | June 21, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003148 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.58436, -96.98580 (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 83003148.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4803842
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.