With a trusty blue binder full of notes, archived newspaper clippings and archived photos, Brian Ketcham shepherds a herd of people sporting puffer coats and tennis shoes to the front of First Christian Church in downtown Fort Worth.
Thumbing through the pages and with a booming voice, he tells the group of about 50 huddled around him on Throckmorton Street about the historic Disciples of Christ church. It was founded in 1855. Back in the day, its copper-clad dome would open for airflow during services. Today, the congregation continues to gather for services and hosts an eye clinic for people who struggle to afford cataract surgery.
The group gazed at the raised two-story limestone building with its Greek-cross plan and Corinthian columns. The Renaissance Revival-style church is surrounded by parking lots and towering high-rises.
This was one of the many stops in Ketcham’s tour of historic churches in the heart of the city. Almost 20 years ago, Ketcham was tired of taking visiting family to the Fort Worth Stockyards and saying “this is it” about his town.
Ketcham, who’s taught history and theater, wanted to learn more, so he started taking tours around the city he’s lived in for 30 years. He learned how prominent leaders or historic buildings, like churches, shaped the story of the place he calls home.
Now as a volunteer with Downtown Fort Worth Walking Tours, Ketcham guides longtime residents and visitors through some of Fort Worth’s significant landmarks, including houses of worship. These free excursions offer individuals and families wanting to learn more about the city’s history through an in-person lesson on how the railroad impacted Fort Worth’s economy and culture or up-close look at bronze and stone monuments in the city.
Brian Ketcham volunteers as a guide for Downtown Fort Worth Walking Tours. He gave a tour of historic churches in the city on Dec. 13, 2025. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)
On Saturday morning he and another guide took about 110 people through downtown for their final tour of the year to historic places of worship.
“There’s just so much unique history in these churches and such beautiful, long-lasting work. You don’t appreciate it when you don’t just slow down and look at it,” Ketcham said.
A group of 110 gathered in downtown Fort Worth on Dec. 13, 2025, to participate in a free walking tour around historic churches in the city. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)
Ketcham guided attendees to where historic religious sites stand or once stood.
That included the site of Temple Beth El, which is now a parking lot next to First Christian Church and First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, which was led by J. Frank Norris, a famous fundamentalist preacher who was a defendant in a 1927 murder trial in which he was acquitted.
The walks typically consist of exploring 2-3 miles around the town with breakfast tacos by tour founder, former restaurateur and real estate broker Tim Young.
Young and his wife, Donna, have organized tours around downtown Fort Worth for about 14 years. In addition to the church tour, the couple alternates through 15 different tours on topics including historic hotels, banks and places visited by former President John F. Kennedy.
Knowing about different niches and nooks in Fort Worth — such as the bronze sleeping panther sculpture — helps build a sense of community and can make residents proud to show visitors their town, Young said.
“No one’s ever going to put my name on a building, but I’m leaving a mark on Fort Worth because so many people are learning about it and telling others and carrying on those stories,” Young said.
Downtown Fort Worth Walking Tours had 110 attendees for its historic church tour on Dec. 13, 2025. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)
The recent tour groups reconvened at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on 917 Lamar St. for the tour’s final stop. Attendees walked in, immersing themselves in dolomite stone, dark wooden pews and intricate stained glass of the Gothic Revival-style church built in 1909.
Rich and dynamic brass-like notes of “Joy to the World” filled the sanctuary as a member of the church played the organ, encouraging the guests to sing along.
Attendees walked back to their cars at the end of the tour, passing by each spot with a little more history than they knew before.
Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org.
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