Swedish Central Methodist Church
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Organized in 1873 by the Rev. Carl Charnquist, the Swedish Methodist Church built a sanctuary at Red River and 15th street. Led by the Rev. O.E. Olander, the congregation moved to this site in 1898 and occupied buildings of disbanded Central Methodist Church. The fellowship added 'Central' to its name and later dropped 'Swedish'. Church property, then across from the Capitol grounds at Colorado and 13th street, was sold in 1956 for expansion of state offices. Renamed Memorial Methodist Church, the historic congregation moved to northeast Austin. (1975)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Organized in 1873 by the Rev. Carl Charnquist, Austin's Swedish Methodist congregation first built a sanctuary near Red River and 15th Street, then moved in 1898 into buildings left by the disbanded Central Methodist Church, adopting 'Central' into its own name. Sitting across from the Capitol grounds, its property was sold in 1956 for state office expansion, and the renamed Memorial Methodist Church relocated to northeast Austin.
Why it matters
The congregation traces how a Swedish immigrant church took root, blended into the city, and gave way to the growth of state government at the capital.
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Related people
- · Rev. Carl Charnquist
- · Rev. O.E. Olander
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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