Morning Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal Church
Also known as: Morning Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Morning Chapel C.M.E. Church is a limestone Gothic Revival building on a small hill east of downtown Fort Worth, in the historic Black neighborhood known as the Hill. Designed by local architect W.C. Meador and built between 1934 and 1936, it has a front gable, corner buttresses, lancet-shaped art glass windows and a projecting square entrance tower. Its stone was salvaged from the congregation's earlier buildings. A brick education wing was added at the rear in 1954, and the sanctuary keeps its original pulpit, ceiling fixtures and a 1941 mural. The congregation, organized in 1868, is the oldest African American congregation in the city. The church was built during the Depression, paid for in cash, which slowed completion, and the plain design reflects those limits. It is the only extant central Fort Worth church from that decade and was recognized for its architecture at the local level.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is significant at the local level under Criterion C as a Depression-era Late Gothic Revival church with restrained ornamentation. It was the only extant central Fort Worth church built during the Depression, and it was paid for on a cash basis. It also houses Fort Worth's oldest African American congregation, organized in 1868.
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 99001049, listed August 27, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 901 E. Third St., Fort Worth |
|---|---|
| County | Tarrant County |
| Listed | August 27, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99001049 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1934-1936 |
| Architect / builder | Meador, W.C. (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th Century Revivals/Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The church is described as in good condition, retains a high degree of integrity, and is still used as a religious facility. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.75840, -97.32540 (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 99001049.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6912793
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.