(ROCKWALL, TX – Nov. 7, 2016) For the past 100 years, nearly 700 couples have “tied the knot” in the Victorian-style church structure known today as the Rockwall Wedding Chapel.
The chapel building located at 305 S. Fannin St. celebrated its centennial anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 5, as folks were invited to attend a special ceremony and reception. Festivities included music from the First Christian Church of Rockwall choir, a brief history of the chapel, and a proclamation by Rockwall Mayor Jim Pruitt. Guests also enjoyed tours of the chapel, refreshments in the Reception Hall and a performance by the Nobles of Note Orchestra at the Pavilion.
The First Christian Church of Rockwall held its worship inside the building between 1916 and 2003 when it broke ground at its new location at 3375 Ridge Road. The Smith family bought the building and land from the church board, with the vision of turning the place into an intimate wedding venue. The chapel held its first weddings from 2005-2006, and has since held 695 weddings.
Rockwall Mayor Jim Pruitt is joined by members of the Smith family as he gives a proclamation in recognition of the Rockwall Wedding Chapel's 100-year anniversary.Historian Michael Ragan treats folks to a brief history of the Rockwall Wedding Chapel during its 100-year anniversary celebration on Saturday. Ragan said the chapel got its start thanks to the vision of a brilliant businessman named Charles Smith, late husband of chapel owner Iris Smith. “He’s driving his car around listening to the radio, drives down this street and what does he see? A ‘For Sale’ sign. And he immediately puts together a concept – we’re going to buy this place, have weddings, we’re going to do flowers here, I’m going to put my daughter in business here, and we’re going to rock n’ roll this place. By the end of the day he had about 80 percent of the deal done. He was convinced that this would work as a wedding chapel and a flower place with a reception hall,” Ragan said.Reverend Mark Irons of the First Christian Church of Rockwall provided some historical background during the Rockwall Wedding Chapel’s 100th anniversary celebration. Irons said the earliest record for the purchase of property of the Christian Church of Rockwall was September 1879, on the land where the Rockwall Wedding Chapel currently sits. Irons said Rockwall County records indicate the purchase of lots 1 and 2 for $50 sold by W.E. Boydstun. “We don’t know what that first building looked like that existed from 1879 to 1916, but we have no doubt that this building was built in 1916,” he said. “If you still look outside and look in you can see the etchings of 1916 and First Christian Church.” The chapel is one of the last remaining church structures built in the Texas pioneer Victorian style.According to Irons, the church’s original baptistry existed underneath as a concrete structure underneath the current sanctuary. “When we were in the building, the carpet was covering the trapdoor that was part of the baptistery and you could feel it as you stepped over it,” Irons said.The First Christian Church of Rockwall choir performs during the Rockwall Wedding Chapel 100th anniversary ceremony.Nobles of Note Orchestra perform underneath the Pavilion during the Rockwall Wedding Chapel's 100th anniversary event.
Story and photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.
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(ROCKWALL, TX – Nov. 7, 2016) For the past 100 years, nearly 700 couples have “tied the knot” in the Victorian-style church structure known today as the Rockwall Wedding Chapel.
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