Victoria County
Victoria County
Trinity Lutheran
Year Built: 1907-1908
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was established by a community of German Lutherans and the initial building was built by Fred Urban in 1907, following a design by James Hull. The building has grown but the initial church has remained intact, only losing its original spire. Today, the congregation at Trinity Lutheran have a vision and a call for being a loving, caring, Christ-centered body of believers, united in friendship and offering gracious hospitality. Part of the vision is to be a welcoming, inviting, and encouraging place where everyone finds sanctuary.
B’Nai Israel
Year Built: 1923
Temple B’Nai Israel grew out of a longstanding community that established a Reform congregation in 1894. They initially worshipped on the first floor of the local Masonic Lodge until the present synagogue was built in 1923. The new building served both the Reform and Orthodox Jewish communities in Victoria. The congregation has been without a resident rabbi for many decades, but many visiting and student rabbis have led High Holiday services. Today, Victorian Jews remain welcome participants in the life of the city, and look to maintain their involvement and tradition in the coming years.
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Year Built: 1953
First Church of Christ, Scientist opened in 1953, following a design by San Antonio architect Milton Ryan. Today, the church notably retains its mid-century modern appearance, with a sloping roof and wood siding rising above a long low brick building with clerestory windows, supporting by slender pipe columns. The loft is distinguished by a large plate glass wall and the unique design won an award from the Texas Society of Architects. In recent years, the congregation has become smaller and the building was flooded in Hurricane Harvey.
Image credits: Photos of church exteriors taken by UTSA-CCS personnel.
Trinity Lutheran
Year Built: 1907-1908
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was established by a community of German Lutherans and the initial building was built by Fred Urban in 1907, following a design by James Hull. The building has grown but the initial church has remained intact, only losing its original spire. Today, the congregation at Trinity Lutheran have a vision and a call for being a loving, caring, Christ-centered body of believers, united in friendship and offering gracious hospitality. Part of the vision is to be a welcoming, inviting, and encouraging place where everyone finds sanctuary.
B’Nai Israel
Year Built: 1923
Temple B’Nai Israel grew out of a longstanding community that established a Reform congregation in 1894. They initially worshipped on the first floor of the local Masonic Lodge until the present synagogue was built in 1923. The new building served both the Reform and Orthodox Jewish communities in Victoria. The congregation has been without a resident rabbi for many decades, but many visiting and student rabbis have led High Holiday services. Today, Victorian Jews remain welcome participants in the life of the city, and look to maintain their involvement and tradition in the coming years.
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Year Built: 1953
First Church of Christ, Scientist opened in 1953, following a design by San Antonio architect Milton Ryan. Today, the church notably retains its mid-century modern appearance, with a sloping roof and wood siding rising above a long low brick building with clerestory windows, supporting by slender pipe columns. The loft is distinguished by a large plate glass wall and the unique design won an award from the Texas Society of Architects. In recent years, the congregation has become smaller and the building was flooded in Hurricane Harvey.
Image credits: Photos of church exteriors taken by UTSA-CCS personnel.