Logo for McNatt Contracting featuring a large stylized letter "M" inside a geometric diamond shape, with the company name "McNatt Contracting" in light tan text to the right. - McNatt Contracting

First Presbyterian Church

1903 Church St, Galveston, TX

First Presbyterian Church

Mechanical / Electrical, Exterior Stucco, Painting and original corbel replication, Complete chapel rebuild, Sanctuary window restoration

Rows of empty padded chairs line both sides of a polished wooden floor in a room with large windows and a double wooden door with arched glass panels. Light streams in, brightening the space. - McNatt Contracting Close-up view of wooden wall paneling with a smooth finish and vertical grooves. Part of a wooden bench is partially visible in the lower right corner. The upper wall is painted a light color. - McNatt Contracting A rectangular textile wall hanging with a pattern of green vines and clusters of red flowers is framed by a wooden border and mounted on a cream-colored wall above a hardwood floor. - McNatt Contracting A wooden podium stands in front of three high-backed chairs on a hardwood floor. Behind them are tall stained glass and floral-patterned panels framed in wood, set against cream-colored walls. - McNatt Contracting A close-up view of a wooden windowsill beneath a decorative stained glass window with geometric patterns and green accents. Sunlight filters through, illuminating the wood surface. - McNatt Contracting A metal plaque on a wooden wall honors Dr. Marshall Lake Rowley Jr. and Katherine Whitefield Rowley. A window with decorative glass panels is on the right, letting in natural light. - McNatt Contracting A wooden table with "IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME" carved on the side stands in a room with wood flooring, stained glass windows, and paneled walls. A wooden pulpit and chairs are also present. - McNatt Contracting Rows of green cushioned chairs face each other in a room with wooden floors and large arched windows. A wooden door with glass panels is centered between the windows. The room is empty and well-lit. - McNatt Contracting A room with rows of green cushioned chairs arranged on a hardwood floor, large arched windows with decorative grid patterns, and a wooden double door at the far end. - McNatt Contracting Wooden church pews sit in front of a peach-colored wall with ornate painted designs. The wall is flanked by tall stained glass windows depicting religious figures and scenes. - McNatt Contracting A wall with ornate brown and tan stenciled patterns, featuring swirling floral and leaf designs, bordered by a wooden trim at the bottom. The right edge shows a vertical band with small blue and red motifs. - McNatt Contracting A wooden podium with ornate carvings stands on a red carpeted platform. A microphone is mounted on top, and wooden chairs and paneling are visible in the background. - McNatt Contracting Wooden pews are arranged in rows beneath ornate arched windows with stained glass in a church interior. The high ceiling features dark wood paneling, and several hanging lights illuminate the space. - McNatt Contracting Interior of a church featuring wooden pews and three tall stained glass windows depicting various intricate designs and figures, with ornate wall detailing beneath each window. - McNatt Contracting A tall arched stained glass window with floral and geometric designs is set in a beige wall with ornate trim and decorative patterns. Wooden pews are partially visible at the bottom. - McNatt Contracting A tall stained glass window in a church wall depicts an angel with wings and a halo. The window is framed by ornate molding, and wooden pews are visible below it. The surrounding wall features decorative patterns. - McNatt Contracting The interior ceiling of a church featuring wooden paneling, arches, hanging light fixtures, and stained glass windows along the walls. A circular vent or decorative element is in the center of the ceiling. - McNatt Contracting The image shows the interior of First Presbyterian Church with a high, ornate wooden ceiling, arched stained glass windows, a large pipe organ, and decorative wall detailing. Warm lighting hangs from the ceiling. - McNatt Contracting Wooden coffered ceiling with a large circular vent in the center, illuminated by hanging lamps and small recessed lights, and partial views of walls and organ pipes at the edges. - McNatt Contracting Interior of a church with wooden pews, a red carpeted center aisle, an altar at the front, tall pipe organ on the right, arched stained glass windows, and wooden vaulted ceiling with hanging lights. - McNatt Contracting The image shows the interior of a church with empty wooden pews on both sides of a central red carpet aisle, arched windows, and a high wooden ceiling with hanging light fixtures. - McNatt Contracting A wooden podium with a microphone stands on a red carpeted platform in First Presbyterian Church, surrounded by ornate woodwork and decorative walls. An empty, ornate wooden chair with a red cushion is in the background. - McNatt Contracting Interior of a church with wooden pews, arched windows, and a high ceiling with ornate woodwork and hanging lights. Sunlight streams through upper windows, illuminating the empty sanctuary. - McNatt Contracting Interior of a large church with wooden pews, stained glass windows, ornate wooden ceiling, and a red carpeted aisle; the room is empty and well-lit with hanging lights. - McNatt Contracting Tall arched window with stained glass depicting two figures, set in a beige stone building with decorative details and two small orange ornaments above the window. - McNatt Contracting Scaffolding is set up against the exterior of a light gray building with arched windows. A black barrier with the "McNatt Contracting" logo surrounds the scaffolding at ground level. - McNatt Contracting A construction scaffold stands against a building, enclosed by a green fence cover displaying the "McNatt Contracting" logo and name in white and gold lettering near the First Presbyterian Church. - McNatt Contracting A light gray stone building with arched windows, three large wooden doors, and two tall pointed towers, viewed from the front. Steps lead up to the entrance. Grass and sidewalk are in the foreground. - McNatt Contracting A large, historic-looking gray building with arched windows, twin towers, and decorative trim, seen from across a street with steps leading up to double wooden doors. A scaffold is visible on the left side of the building. - McNatt Contracting A large, light gray stone building with arched windows, twin entrance doors, and pointed spires, viewed from across a street with grass and a palm tree in the foreground. - McNatt Contracting A large, light gray historic building—identified as First Presbyterian Church—with arched windows, pointed towers, and decorative trim sits near a palm tree along a suburban street on a cloudy day. - McNatt Contracting

Restoration Goals and Challenges

Restore the entire exterior of this historic church. Plaster, paint, the original corbels, and exterior doors. Original doors were disassembled and rebuilt.

Key Highlights

14 stained-glass windows were restored using traditional methods, and sanctuary ceiling was restored with reclaimed wood to match.

Historical Significance

Locally, this is where Nicholas J. Clayton began his career in Galveston, bringing the exterior design of the church together by designing the two bell towers. First Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest congregations in Texas.

Impact

Following Hurricane Ike, the restoration of the church and chapel received recognition for historical preservation.
“The church sanctuary air conditioning system is disguised by using the corona as the return air and the supply air is cleverly incorporated into the millwork on the box beam ceiling. The painted pattern around the entire interior was hand painted and gold-leafed by one of Galveston’s local artisans. The windows were completely deconstructed, rebuilt with new caning, and installed with a protective layer of exterior storm-protection glass. The frames and sashes were restored using as much original wood as possible.” Ben Thomas
White text on a light gray background reads “/FLÈUR” in all capital letters with an accent above the letter E. - McNatt Contracting

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