Thomas Houghton (architect)

Thomas Houghton , (1840–1903) was an American architect who was for many years the chief draftsman for the firm of Patrick Keely

Early life and education

Houghton was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1840 and educated in the public schools there. In the American Civil War he served as a paymaster for the United States Navy.

Architectural practice

After the war he entered the architectural firm of Patrick Keely and eventually married Keely’s daughter. He rose to the position of main drastsman and in this capacity was involved in the design of many churches, schools, convents and rectories for many Roman Catholic clients throughout the Eastern United States.

By the 1890s Keely and Houghton formed a partnership known as Keeley and Houghton. Most of the buildings designed during that time are attributed to that firm. After Keely’s death in 1896 Houghton continued the practice under his own name.

Works by Houghton include

• Our Lady of Victory Church (Brooklyn, New York) (1891-1895), Throop Avenue and McDonough Street^[1]
• St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Brooklyn, New York
• St. Agnes' Church, Brooklyn, New York
• St. Francis Xavier Church, Brooklyn, New York
• Holy Family Chapel, Convent, New Jersey
• St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, Melrose, MA
• Holy Rosary Church, New York City
• St. James Church, Salem, MA
• St. Ann Church, Somerville, MA
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, New Bedford, Massachusetts

References