First Presbyterian Church

902 Green Avenue
Orange, TX 77630
(409)883-2097
www.firstpresorange.com

The magnificent First Presbyterian Church building was commissioned by Frances Ann Lutcher as a memorial to the Henry Jacob Lutcher family. It was built in the classic Greek Revival architectural style and features the only opalescent glass dome in the United States. Granite for the building was quarried and dressed in Llano, Texas, and the marble was cut from living stone and brought from Italy. Construction began in 1908, and the building was dedicated on January 28, 1912.

The building made history by being the first air-conditioned public building west of the Mississippi River. At the time of its construction, sufficient power to operate the system was not available in Orange. Therefore, a private power plant was built adjacent to the church to meet this need. In the spring of 1953, Edgar and Lutcher Brown installed a 2,435-pipe organ in memory of their mother, Carrie Lutcher Brown.

The First Presbyterian Church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Tours are available by appointment Monday through Friday during the months of September through May. There is no admission charge for the tour.

For touring information, please call 409-883-2097.