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Texas: Central, South, and Gulf Coast » South Texas » Mcallen to Raymondville » Raymondville (Willacy County) » First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church

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1949, Henry Steinbomer. 376 S. 10th St.
  • (Photograph by Gerald Moorhead )

The church is a tour de force of religious architecture in the city and in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. A traditionalist designer, Steinbomer of San Antonio crested the wave of post–World War II church construction in Texas, especially in small and midsized cities. Deeply religious, he strove for designs that reflected the beliefs of a particular denomination. In its austerity, the Raymondville church signals compliance with the precepts of the Presbyterian faith, as well as Steinbomer's gradual but definite shift to modern ism throughout the 1950s. While the church reveals his admiration for modernism's clean, simple lines, it still adheres to streamlined modernistic influences of the 1930s. Of note is the bas-relief of John Knox, the historic Presbyterian leader, which floats within the plain, white stucco facade. It is attributed to Charles Umlauf, noted Central Texas sculptor, who partnered with Steinbomer in a number of his church commissions.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Gerald Moorhead et al.
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Data

What's Nearby

Willacy County Courthouse

Citation

Gerald Moorhead et al., "First Presbyterian Church", [Raymondville, Texas], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/TX-01-MR32.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of Texas

Buildings of Texas: Central, South, and Gulf Coast, Gerald Moorhead and contributors. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2013, 303-304.

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