Myers Park Methodist Church

The only influencial piece of gothic architecture was the Myers Park Methodist Church. Louis Asbury was not only the architect of Myers Park Methodist Church, he was also a founding member.  When challenged with designing a building he was personally invested in he turned back to his roots as an architect.  Asbury's first job was with the Boston architectural firm Cram, Goodhue, and Ferguson. This firm specialized in Gothic Architecture in Boston and Newport, RI, among other places.  While employed there his boss encouraged him and another architect to see Europe.  These men traveled Europe by bicycle sketching churches and cathedrals as they went. (1)  Myer Park Methodist's picturesque tower, stonework, buttressing, and pointed-arch clerestory windows strongly reflect the type of architecture they would have seen in their travels. The stained glass windows are also important features to notice. While stained glass windows are present throughout Europe, particularly France, the stained glass at the Myers Park Methodist Church would have been new and exciting. (2)   

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1. Louis Asbury Collection, 1877-1975,  J. Murrey Atkins Library University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Special Collections, http://specialcollections.uncc.edu.

2. "A Walking Tour of Myers Park," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, Accessed December 11, 2012. http://www.cmhpf.org.