Downtown Brownwood, Inc., partnered with Howard Payne University this year to showcase many of the university’s buildings Tuesday night in the annual “Past, Present and Future” Tour.
Included on the tour were the Walker House (the home of Drs. Bill and Diana Ellis, HPU president and first lady), Mims Auditorium, and the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center with Grace Chapel.
“This was a great tour this year showing the rich history of Howard Payne University and their important place in Downtown Brownwood,” said Downtown Brownwood, Inc. board member and organizer of the tour Martha Faetche.
Each year, the “Past, Present and Future” Tour highlights buildings in the downtown area and offers historical information about each one.
“Howard Payne University was a great partner for the tour this year and we appreciate their participation,” Faetche said.
The Walker House, a three-story, Colonial Revival home, was built in 1901 as the residence of John Allen and Elizabeth Peacock Walker. Mr. Walker was a longtime member of Howard Payne University’s Board of Trustees, as well as a prominent Brownwood businessman and civic leader. The Walkers were major benefactors of HPU and other Baptist educational institutions; HPU’s Walker Memorial Library was named for the couple in recognition of their support. HPU purchased the home in 1987 as the official residence of the university’s president. More than a century after its construction, the Walker House continues to provide a warm, distinctive experience to residents and guests alike, honoring the home’s character, proud history and ongoing place in the HPU experience.
The oldest original HPU building on the university’s main campus, Mims Auditorium was built in the early 1920s and was the focus of a major renovation, completed in 2010. Among many projects, great care was taken to restore the original woodwork, staircases and other architectural features of this great landmark, including appropriate floor and window coverings to complement the interior and serve the acoustical needs of the auditorium. This project was made possible by a historic gift – the largest in HPU history – from the late Mrs. Leona Muse. Throughout its existence, the building has provided a setting for chapel services, fine arts performances, recitals, concerts and theatrical productions.
The Faith and Life Leadership Center, dedicated in 2010, was named in recognition of the lead gift from the Paul and Jane Meyer Family Foundation of Waco. The project comprised a major renovation of the Bible building and the university chapel. Of special note within the FLLC are the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room, made possible by a generous gift from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation of Houston, and the beautiful two-story entrance hall with funding provided by Walter C. “Dub” and Debra Wilson of Houston. The area features a sculpture donated by the Wilson siblings and spouses, titled “The Lord Himself Will Provide,” depicting Abraham, Isaac and the angel.
Grace Chapel features hand-crafted stained-glass windows as well as enhancements such as chandeliers, improved seating and other furnishings and renovations. Dr. and Mrs. Burton Patterson of Southlake donated a new organ to be placed in the chapel, in addition to organs donated for Mims Auditorium and the choir hall. The chapel is named in honor of the faithful support of Dr. E. Grace Pilot of Mobile, Ala. Dr. Pilot received the Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from HPU in 1994; an honorary doctorate is the highest honor the university can bestow.
Pictured at top are HPU First Lady Dr. Diana Ellis (far left) and DBI Board Members Martha Faetche (right) taking someone on the tour of the Walker House Tuesday night.
