History of the First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas Page: 15
31 p. illus. 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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church. In 1880 the old flat roof was replaced by a
steep roof with a high tower belfry on the south side
of the front, and a small tower on the north side. The
posts were removed from the inside upstairs and
grained rafters used for support of the roof. I think
it was then that gas was substituted for the oil lamps.
At the time the old square windows were replaced
by Gothic windows of stained glass; and it is probably
that then the baptistry was put in back of the pulpit
upstairs. On the right of the preacher was a memorial
window to R. H. Taliaferro by his Friends, and on the
left a similar one to Mary and Ernest Robins jointly.
On the west end of the church over the front door
was added a very large and handsome Gothic window
of stained glass.
The next year of great changes was 1888 while Dr.
Garrett was pastor. A beautiful Gothic door of limestone
was then placed in front. Doors were cut from
the front vestibule into the Sunday School rooms on
the first floor, and the latter was divided by folding
doors instead of a partition. The walls were painted
and other changes made. From time to time other improvements
were made that I cannot locate as to year.
The outside was stuccoed quite early, probably in 1880.
Finally the women bought carpets for upstairs and
down, electric lights replaced the gas, and handsome
new pews were put in. During Dr. French's stay a
good pipe organ made by the Barkoff Company was
bought for $2,500.00, and installed behind the pulpit,
while the baptistry was moved downstairs. This organ
was given to the Baptist Academy at San Marcos
when the old church was razed.
Secular Activities Conducted in the
Old Church
To the Baptist Church building that was torn down
in 1914 clung many associations other than religious;
for in the lower story were conducted many activities
of consequence to the town. At one time, probably in
-15
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Brooks, Mrs. V. L. History of the First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas, book, 1923; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth33019/m1/16/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.