Gethsemane Lutheran Church and Luther Hall (Boundary Increase)
105 W 16th St., Austin, TXThe nomination for Gethsemane Lutheran Church and Luther Hall is amended to include Luther Hall's date of construction (1883-1940), and the name of the nomination is amended to describe the entirety of the property.
Gethsemane Lutheran Church, at 1510 Congress, in Austin, Texas, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The period of significance noted in the nomination was "19th century" with a specific date of 1883. The areas of significance noted were "architecture" and "religion." This nomination amendment increases the boundary of the nomination to include the adjacent support building known as "Luther Hall," a Modern Movement building constructed in 1940. The period of significance is increased to include Luther Hall's date of construction (1883-1940), and the name of the nomination is amended to describe the entirety of the property ("Gethsemane Lutheran Church and Luther Hall").
Gethsemane Lutheran Church was founded by Swedish immigrants in Austin in the mid nineteenth century. The congregation constructed the church at 16h and Congress in 1883 salvaging materials from both the first State Capitol and the Old Main building at the University of Texas. In 1940 the congregation constructed Luther Hall to provide office, activity, and meeting space for the growing congregation. In contrast to the gothic revival church the Modern parish hall has minimal detailing. The congregation moved to a new facility in 1961. Because of their proximity to the capitol grounds, the State of Texas purchased the two buildings for offices. Today the Texas Historical Commission occupies both buildings. Gethsemane Lutheran Church and Luther Hall are eligible under Criterion A in the area of Religion and under Criterion C in the area of Architecture. Because the buildings are primarily significant for architecture as well as religion Criteria Consideration A applies.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.