THE REVIVAL OF A CHURCH; EL PARRAL BEING TURNED INTO A CHRISTIAN CENTER

Pastors Raymond Tuck, left, and Rory Synoground stand across from what is
now the International Word Fellowship Church, formerly the El Parral Ballroom
and The 1910. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

By Trey Mewes Austin Daily Herald

The International Word Fellowship Church is creating a new Christian event center in Austin.

Pastors Raymond Tuck and Rory Synoground have successfully purchased the El Parral Ballroom at 210 Fourth St. NE and are looking to transform the former Mexican-themed property into a Christian entertainment and event center.

“There’s a niche that needs to be here in this area, and that’s positive Christian entertainment that the whole family can enjoy,” Synoground said.

The church began negotiating to buy El Parral last March after Synoground and Tuck were moved by the property’s history. In the 1910s, the site was home to a large tabernacle constructed by Pastor Billy Sunday, who held large revivals there for up to 3,500 people.

It’s that spirit of Christian revival which is driving the pastors to offer a Christian center, which will have a faith-based coffee house, a bookstore, and a radio station broadcasting live Christian events as they’re booked.

The main ballroom area of what was the El Parral Ballroom is now 

the main worship center for the International Fellowship Word Church. 

Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“We just want to make a positive impact on the city,” Tuck said.

While the coffee shop will likely start up at the end of the month where the 1910 Restaurant used to be, the church has bigger plans for the space, which they are already renting out for events.

The church has launched a GoFundMe online campaign to raise $70,000 to renovate the space for its congregation, from putting down carpeting inside the center to renovating the 1910’s space into a non-alcoholic cafe setting featuring Christian entertainment.

In the future, the pastors hope to renovate the property further, including putting in a park next to the center.

For now, Synoground and Tuck hope the community will embrace the smaller church’s goals to provide a Christian environment for the area.

“That’s our goal, is to just be a blessing and be a positive influence on the Austin community,” Synoground said.

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