Grace Methodist Episcopal Church

An outstanding architectural landmark in the city of Dallas, Grace United Methodist Church, built in 1903 in the Gothic Revival style, represents one of the oldest Methodist congregations in Dallas County, Established in the East Dallas community to serve the existing residential areas as well as the rapidly developing Swiss Avenue and Munger Place districts, the edifice stands as an architectural focal point and stabilizing feature in an area of expansion. Massive in size and rich in detail, the structure incorporates early 20th-century Gothic Revival design elements and decorative motifs, skillfully produced with high-quality materials and fine cratsmanship. Particularly noteworthy are the large stained glass windows, expertly-crafted exterior brickwork, rich moldings, and excellent ornamental stonework. Grace Methodist Church is significant also for its association with both prominent statesmen and local citizens who contributed significantly to the early political, cultural, and social development of the City of Dallas and the State.

Grace Methodist Church, organized in 1902 through the consolidation of the Floyd Street and Haskell Avenue Churches, has a history that dates back to 1868 when Joshua Addington established a Sunday School in Green's Hall on Swiss Avenue. This event marked the beginning of the Dallas City Mission. In 1873 the Floyd Street Mission was organized, while the Haskell Avenue Church, another project of the Dallas City Mission, was organized in 1875.

In the fall of 1902 Reverend L. S. Barton, pastor of the Floyd Street Church initiated plans for the construction of a new church in East Dallas. Under his leadership, sufficient money was raised and the property on which the present structure is located was purchased. At the session of the North Texas Conference held at Terrell, Texas in November of 1902, Floyd Street Church and Haskell Avenue Church were combined into a single parish and Reverend P. R. Knickerbocker was appointed pastor.

Only a few families constituted the membership of the combined churches, and the congregation remained so small after the merger that a number of members of the First Methodist Church were induced to join. Membership since has varied, with the congregation numbering 1,887 in 1925 and 390 in 1979. Many of Dallas' most prominent citizens have belonged to the church and have played a vital role in the church's continued success and the political affairs of the state. Early members included J. R. Temple, former mayor of Dallas (1947-49), "poet laureate of Texas W. H. Lamar, and Judge 0. B. Colquitt, former governor of Texas.

Although Grace Methodist Church is not the oldest congregation in East Dallas, it is the oldest continuing congregation. Grace and Trinity Methodist Churches were the first suburban churches constructed in Dallas, while the First Methodist Church remained downtown. Built at a cost of $55,000, Grace Church was expanded in 1925 to include an educational unit that is compatible with architectural design and vital to the function of the church. Other than the 1925 additions, the structure has remained virtually unaltered since its completion.