In keeping with its devotion to preserve its rural heritage and lifestyle, the Town of Argyle is busy renovating the former Argyle United Methodist Church to be its “new” Town Hall.
“Our town hall on Hwy 377 now houses the Argyle Police Department and the administration offices, including financial and development plus permits,” said Town Administrator Lyle Dresher. “That’s about 3,100 square feet for 16-18 people; of course not all the police officers are there at the same time.”
The Argyle United Methodist Church received a Texas Historical Marker which was dedicated on May 24, 1981. The building is located at 308 Denton St. on what is historically known as “Methodist Hill.”
A Denton County deed dated April 10, 1882 conveys six acres of land to the trustees of the Prairie Mound Methodist Episcopal Church, South and their successors. Although the Prairie Mound Methodist Church is no longer in existence, the Argyle United Methodist Church has played an important role in retaining the heritage of that area.
In 1960, the church building was sold to Doug W. Coin who moved it to his dairy farm approximately two miles south where it is now utilized as a hay barn. About this same time, Mrs. Lark Heath of Roanoke built a Memorial Chapel on the church grounds, in memory of her husband. The brick parsonage was built that same year, while the present sanctuary was built in 1969. The Education Building was constructed in 1972.
“The police department and the municipal court will stay in the (existing) facility at 506 N. Hwy 377, while the administrative offices of finance, development, permits and the council chamber will occupy the new town hall,” said Dresher. “With the fellowship hall available for residents to reserve, the new town hall will total 13,000 square feet.”
The two-facility renovation will cost a total $840,000, with $97,000 allocated for the existing facility construction needed to house the Argyle Police Department and $533,000 for the former church building construction. The additional $220,000 costs include design and equipment needs, as well as the mandatory asbestos abatement required to meet federal EPA safety standards.
Sources funding the project came from cashing in $800,000 worth of certificates of obligation and a contribution of $77,000 designated from the crime control sales tax.
“We have a little surplus built-in, just in case,” said Drescher.
The renovation is scheduled to be completed by the end of April.
The decision about how to celebrate the town hall opening hasn’t been made yet, but it’s sure to be historic.
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