Zephyr Presbyterian Church
Zephyr, Brown County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The congregation of the Zephyr Presbyterian Church traces its history to 1890. In 1909 members of the church and community volunteers, with the assistance of Swiss stonemason John Chailette completed a church building. Worship services were held twice a month by a minister shared with the nearby Blanket Presbyterian Church. Sunday School classes, summer Bible school, and ice cream suppers sponsored by the church contributed to the social and religious life of the community until 1944, when the church was disbanded. In 1948 the building became a community center. (1992) Text of supplemental plate: In 1948 this building was donated by C. R. Boase to become a community center for the benefit and pleasure of its citizens.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Zephyr Presbyterian congregation dates to 1890, and in 1909 members and volunteers—aided by Swiss stonemason John Chailette—completed a stone church. A visiting minister preached twice a month, while Sunday school, summer Bible school, and ice-cream suppers wove the church into community life until it disbanded in 1944. Donated by C. R. Boase, the building became a community center in 1948.
Why it matters
The little stone church's second life as a community center shows how rural congregations, even after disbanding, kept serving the towns they helped build.
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Related people
- · John Chailette
- · C. R. Boase
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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