Dear Christ Church,
Mark your calendar for a very special event, the installation of our renovated and historic mosaic, followed by a Backyard Party (Sunday evening April 16th). We are delighted that Bishop Todd Hunter will be with us as well to mark the occasion. Many of you lent a hand, making new tiles at our Ceili in December, to replace ones that were irreparably damaged over the years. Now you’ll get to see the finished product!
This historic mosaic adorned our building for almost sixty years, until the 2017-18 renovation. The previous occupant–and builder–of our property was the first Spanish-speaking Protestant congregation in Austin, founded in 1898, the Primera Iglesia Bautista de Austin (PIBA). High upon the exterior wall on Medina Street was a mosaic designed by the Rev. Carlos Paredes in 1959, during his tenure as the pastor. With gospel symbolism, it became a familiar image in the neighborhood for several generations of residents.
When we moved into the neighborhood, it was with a view to love our neighbors and celebrate the cultural heritage of the community as we now become part of its story. It was also with recognition that on that piece of land at 112 Medina, we stand on the shoulders of many faithful generations of fellow saints of God.
This one project is an icon of so many of our deeply held values: the love of our city, art, beauty, our intentional search for a central property, our desire to do what we can to preserve the heritage of this rapidly changing neighborhood, and that our renovation, use, and care of the property would be a blessing to the neighborhood. Our church, because of its history, is a stop on the Tejano Trail. The placement of this mosaic will be directly across from Tejano Trail signage, on the north side of the building.
Invite a friend to this Eastertide resurrection of beauty and heritage, and the Backyard Party immediately following!
Peace,
Cliff+