From the city’s earliest congregations to turn-of-the-century revival masterpieces, the Gulf Coast’s historic churches reflect Texas’s rich tapestry of faith, culture, and architecture. Each remains an active house of worship or cherished landmark, welcoming congregants and visitors alike. Below is a guided tour of eleven must-see sites.
All Saints Catholic Church
2011 W 43rd St, Houston, TX 77018
Founded in 1984 to serve Houston’s rapidly growing northern suburbs, All Saints occupies a 1991 Gothic-Revival sanctuary designed by architect Leo Dielmann. Its limestone façade, pointed-arch windows, and cruciform plan evoke medieval Europe, while the nave’s ribbed vaults and carved stations of the cross create an atmosphere of reverence. The parish celebrates Sunday Masses at 9:00 am and 11:00 am and offers guided architectural tours by request, highlighting stained-glass lancets and a restored 1920s Aeolian organ.
Annunciation Catholic Church
1618 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
Houston’s second-oldest Catholic parish, Annunciation was established in 1869 when St. Vincent’s outgrew its capacity. Nicholas J. Clayton’s 1882 Gothic-Revival design—flying buttresses, a slender stone spire, and a red-brick exterior—anchors the downtown skyline. Inside, marble altars, a frescoed barrel vault, and a rose window imported from Germany bathe the sanctuary in colored light. Sunday Masses at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, and 12:30 pm draw a diverse urban congregation, while monthly “History & Hymn” evenings explore Clayton’s legacy.
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
500 Clay St, Houston, TX 77002
Organized in 1866 by freed Black Houstonians, Antioch stands as one of Texas’s oldest African-American Baptist congregations. Its current Romanesque Revival sanctuary, constructed in 1911 in the Fourth Ward, features round arches and a commanding bell tower. Dark-wood pews and a carved pulpit reflect early-20th-century craftsmanship. Antioch continues Sunday worship at 10:30 am and hosts an annual Juneteenth celebration combining gospel music, historical reenactments, and community fellowship.
Bethel Baptist Church
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801 Andrews St, Houston, TX 77002
Founded in 1891 by Reverend Jack Yates, Bethel Baptist’s Late Gothic Revival building went up in 1923 in Freedmen’s Town. Characterized by steep gables, buttressed walls, and a graceful bell tower, it was listed on the National Register in 1998 . Inside, stained-glass windows depict biblical scenes against exposed brick walls. The congregation gathers Sundays at 11:00 am and runs a vibrant community center offering tutoring and senior programs.
First Lutheran Church
1311 Holman St, Houston, TX 77004
Houston’s First Lutheran traces its roots to 1851 but erected the current Lombard Romanesque sanctuary in 1927. Round-arched windows, a red-tile roof, and a bell tower evoke northern Italy; interior rib-vaulted ceilings and original pews were restored in 2006. Listed on the NRHP in 2006 , the congregation offers Sunday services at 10:00 am (English) and a monthly German-language liturgy, plus quarterly organ recitals showcasing its vintage Austin pipe organ.
Heights Christian Church (Lambert Hall)
1703 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
Built in 1927 for the Disciples of Christ, this limestone Romanesque hall—now Lambert Hall—retains its semi-circular façade and rose window. Although the congregation moved in 1967, the building was added to the NRHP in 1983 and today serves as a community arts venue. Monthly tours cover its stained-glass clerestory and the original 1920s auditorium, where operas and films enliven Houston Heights’s cultural calendar.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
1448 Cortlandt St, Houston, TX 77007
Constructed in 1932 and listed on the NRHP in 1983 , Immanuel’s Gothic-Revival sanctuary features pointed-arch windows and a corner bell tower. Inside, oak pews and a restored Tiffany-style baptismal font complement the simple plaster walls. The congregation meets Sundays at 9:00 am and 11:00 am, and biennial heritage open houses showcase original woodwork and a recently refurbished tracker organ.
Grace Episcopal Church
2417 Ball St, Galveston, TX 77550
Since its 1895 dedication, Grace has anchored Galveston’s Strand District in Carpenter Gothic style—board-and-batten walls, lancet windows, and a soaring steeple. The church survived the 1900 hurricane and Ike (2008), each time meticulously restored. Sunday services at 8:00 am and 10:30 am precede guided “Hurricane to Heritage” tours, which trace its role in the city’s maritime and mercantile history.
Reedy Chapel A.M.E. Church
2006 Church St, Galveston, TX 77550
Founded in 1865 by the Freedmen’s Bureau, Reedy Chapel A.M.E. is Texas’s oldest African Methodist Episcopal congregation. Its 1873 Gothic Revival sanctuary—tall lancet windows and pointed arch entry—was restored in 2015, revealing original mural fragments beneath years of paint. Sunday worship at 11:00 am continues a legacy of post-Civil War community building, while an annual Gospel & Heritage Festival honors the church’s enduring cultural impact.
Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica
700 Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX 77701
When oil transformed Beaumont, St. Anthony’s rose between 1903–07 in Lombard-Romanesque style, complete with twin arcaded porticos and a red-tile roof. It became a minor basilica in 2006, its interior boasting marble altars, frescoed ceilings, and a 1913 Wurlitzer organ. Daily Mass at 12:10 pm (Mon–Sat) and 9:00 am & 5:00 pm (Sun) draws pilgrims, while “Basilica by Moonlight” summer concerts fill the air with chamber music.
Lutcher Memorial Church Building
1102 W Green Ave, Orange, TX 77630
Erected in 1927 by lumber magnate John G. Lutcher, this Gothic Revival brick church served Orange’s Methodist community until 1955. Added to the NRHP in 1988, it now hosts “Lutcher at Dusk” tours, revealing stained-glass clerestories, stone capitals, and the horseshoe-shaped sanctuary. Local preservation groups are exploring adaptive reuse to keep this landmark active.
Christ Church Cathedral
1011 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
Founded in 1845 as Houston’s first Episcopal parish, Christ Church moved into its current Neo-Gothic cathedral in 1919. Twin spires, flying buttresses, and lancet bays define the exterior. Inside, a high vaulted ceiling, carved choir stalls, and a 1920 Skinner organ draw pilgrims to 8:00 am and 10:30 am services. The cathedral offers guided “Architectural Insights” tours every Saturday.
First United Methodist Church
1010 Prairie St, Houston, TX 77002
Organized in 1838 under the Republic of Texas, First Methodist built its Gothic Revival sanctuary in 1927. Pointed windows, stone tracery, and a rose window accent the nave. Inside, a historic pipe organ and stained-glass narratives chronicle Houston’s growth. Sunday worship occurs at 8:30 am, 9:45 am, and 11:15 am, and the church’s fellowship hall hosts weekly community breakfasts.
St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
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2450 River Oaks Blvd, Houston, TX 77019
Cornerstone laid in 1909, this Spanish Colonial Revival church features red-tile roofs, arched portals, and a bell tower adorned with Moorish tracery. The sanctuary’s whitewashed walls, carved wooden reredos, and colorful tile work set the stage for 8:00 am and 10:30 am Sunday services. The parish’s “Art & Architecture” lecture series examines its blend of Mediterranean and Texan influences.
St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral
8350 North Stadium Dr, Houston, TX 77054
Established in the early 20th century by Middle Eastern immigrants, St. Nicholas blends Byzantine domes with Texas brickwork. Its central dome, iconostasis, and hand-painted icons welcome the faithful at 10:00 am Divine Liturgy each Sunday. The cathedral hosts annual Middle Eastern festivals featuring traditional music, dance, and cuisine.
Visiting Tips
Most of these Gulf Coast landmarks welcome guests after their Sunday services, so plan your visit around the worship schedule for the best experience. Before you set out, check each parish’s website or call ahead to confirm guided‐tour times—many offer monthly or seasonal walks through their stained‐glass lancets, carved altars, and architectural highlights.
Whether you’re marveling at Bethel Baptist’s restored brick façade or the ribbed vaults of First Lutheran, arriving after the final hymn ensures you won’t interrupt worship and can enjoy a quieter, more personal tour.
