D.6.0 - 3404 Govalle Ave — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MARCH 22, 2021 DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS PR-2020-192260 3404 GOVALLE AVE. D.6 - 1 PROPOSAL Demolish frame portions behind a 1955 masonry church. ARCHITECTURE The former Loyalty Missionary Baptist Church building is a front-gabled concrete masonry unit church with a projecting entry bay flanked by large buttresses on the front elevation and regularly spaced vertical windows between shallow buttresses on the side elevations. A rear frame portion abuts the north (back) wall of the masonry church. A taller gabled volume with paired wood doors on the east and three rows of windows on the west is intersected by a lower wing to the north. Both portions are clad in asbestos shingles and have Craftsman details including knee braces and exposed rafter tails. RESEARCH Govalle Baptist Church was a white congregation active from ca. 1939 to 1976. The church erected a two- story frame building at 3402 Govalle Road in 1939, consisting of an auditorium and seven rooms. Newspaper articles report PTA meetings held in the building’s basement. It is unclear whether this is the frame structure proposed for demolition; the applicant reports that the frame portions were moved to the site after the masonry church was built in 1955. The Govalle Baptist Church congregation merged with Beacon Ridge Baptist Church in 1976. In the same year, the newly formed Loyalty Missionary Baptist Church, an African American congregation, acquired this building. STAFF COMMENTS 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two historic designation criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated this church for designation as a historic landmark and has determined that it does not appear to meet the criteria for landmark designation as set forth in City Code: a) Architecture. While the church has a unique design, it does not necessarily qualify for historic landmark designation under this criterion. b) Historical association. While associated with two former churches, no significant historic events were identified. c) Archaeology. The church was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d) Community value. The church is not known to possess a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of the city, the neighborhood, or a particular demographic group. e) Landscape feature. The property is not a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package, consisting of photographs of all elevations, a dimensioned sketch plan, and a narrative history, for archiving at the Austin History Center.  LOCATION MAP D.6 - 2  PROPERTY INFORMATION D.6 - 3 Source: Google Street View  Source: Applicant, 2021 D.6 - 4 D.6 - 5 3400: Govalle Baptist Church 3404: Reverend Everett S. and Pansy C. Martin, renters Pastor, Govalle Baptist Church 3400: Govalle Baptist Church 3404: Reverend Everett S. and Pansy C. Martin, renters Pastor, Govalle Baptist Church Occupancy History 3400 and 3404 Govalle Avenue City Historic Preservation Office, March 2021 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 Historical Information 3400: Govalle Baptist Church 3404: J. B. Adalr, renter 3400: Govalle Baptist Church 3404: Reverend Jas O. Folkes, renter Pastor, Govalle Baptist Church 3420: Govalle Baptist Church Pastor, Govalle Baptist Church Student, University of Texas 3400: Govalle Baptist Church 3404: Reverend Timothy D. and Lucille Taylor, renters The Austin American (1914-1973); Dec. 4, 1938, p. 14  D.6 - 6 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Oct 30, 1947, p. 11 The Austin American Statesman (1973-1980); Sep 18, 1976, p. B9 The Austin American Statesman (1973-1980); Jul 17, 1976, p. B9 See also: https://www.heimsath.com/sacred-space-holy-place/what-will-become-of-loyalty-missionary- baptist