| First Church of Christ, Scientist | |
| Location: | 339 W. Kaufman, Paris, Texas |
| Coordinates: | 33.6596°N -95.5599°W |
| Locmap Relief: | yes |
| Area: | less than 1acres |
| Built: | 1917 |
| Architecture: | Classical Revival |
| Added: | October 26, 1988 |
| Mpsub: | Paris MRA |
| Refnum: | 88001912 |
The First Church of Christ, Scientist at 339 West Kaufman in Paris, Texas, is a former Church of Christ, Scientist church and an historic structure that, in 1988, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was then vacant. In 2009 it was being used by a Spanish-speaking Baptist congregation.[1]
It is a one-story raised brick building, with broad steps leading up to a portico of Ionic columns and a large entablature. It has double French doors with transoms leading to its sanctuary. The sides have three tall arched windows.[2] [3]
Its nomination suggests it is significant as "one of the earlier Christian Science churches in Texas" and as "one of the first Beaux Arts-style buildings constructed in Paris, Texas after the fire [of 1916], it is an unusually well-detailed small church. It compares favorably with Temple Freda (NR 1984) in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas."[3]
A photo taken in Winter 1984/85 shows that a banner displaying "Ensign Christian Center" appears in the entablature above its front entrance,[3] while the 2015 photo above shows a blank banner obscuring carved letters after "FIR....".[4]