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Donations
Any one wishing to contribute to the restoration of the church
should make their check payable to St. Luke’s Discretionary Fund, note on
the check that it is for “Old Church Restoration” and mail it to: 1874
Church Restoration Committee 2608 N. Main St. Suite B-1874 Belton, TX
76513 or visit our Webstore to
donate.
Links
Bell
County Historical Commission
Bell County
Museum
City of Belton
National Trust
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History
The
church was built in 1874 and consecrated by the Episcopal Church in 1875.
It served the Episcopal congregation until 1969. In its early days it has
been reported that it also temporarily served local Baptist and Methodist
congregations when their facilities were destroyed by fire. The edifice
is the oldest standing building in Bell County. Today the mortar is
disintegrating and as a result the walls of the old church are visibly
leaning and in danger of collapse. Even in its current state the building
stands as a testament to the industry, faith and commitment of those who
laid the foundations of the community in which we are privileged to live
today. It is a touchstone to our past, and as such can serve as a
springboard to our future.
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 The committee, the 1874 Church Restoration
Committee, has retained a structural engineer with extensive experience
in the evaluation and restoration of 19th century buildings.
His initial report is that the church can be stabilized and restored in a
relatively easy manner. In the interest of immediate safety the walls
must be temporarily stabilized with buttress-like scaffolding. That being
done, permanent structural stabilization can begin. Following that the
building needs to have a foundation inserted underneath it. At the time
of its original construction the church was built on bare ground without
a foundation. That factor has helped contribute to the gradual
deterioration of the church.
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