Bishop’s Palace, Galveston, Texas – A Dream House for Historic Architecture Fans

The Bishop’s Palace – Beautiful marble, rich mahogany, intricate stained glass, ornate fireplaces, fourteen-foot ceilings – these are just a few of stunning details lovingly and creatively incorporated into the design of the incomparable “Bishop’s Palace” in Galveston, Texas.

Photo of Bishop's Palace from front of building. Shows 4 stories of stone structure with a large porch rounded on the right side, round structure above it, and sign in front saying "Bishop's Palace."

Some locals call it “Gresham’s Castle” because it was designed and built for a local lawyer and legislator named Colonel Walter Gresham and his wife Josephine. The stunning home was completed 1892, taking five years to carefully craft this architectural beauty, widely known as one of the finest Victorian homes in the entire country.

Photo of decorative top of column with a lion's face on the left and a girl's face on the right next to it.

Imagine over 19,000 square feet spread over four floors of awe-inspiring design inside a granite and sandstone frame. We always talk about making sure you look up to the ceilings and around each room for intricate, almost hidden details that don’t catch your eye right away so you could miss them. But in this home, you truly need to take even more time and pay even more attention to look for those subtle details.

Photo shows grand mahogany staircase leading up over a light stone fireplace with a mahogany mantle and sides. The stair baluster has intricate mahogany decorations. Two stained glass windows sit behind the staircase. The one on the left has yellow, white, orange, and teal colors, the one on the right is in blue with a woman in the center, and golden colors in a design framing the woman.

Photo os taken from the second floor looking down on the mahongany staircase and fireplace, as well as the two stained glass windows.

Of course, some details aren’t so subtle – they smack you in your face with their magnificence, such as the rich wood staircase that spans 40 feet and goes up to a skylight and the stunning stained-glass windows. Our jaws kept dropping in wonder as we kept taking in all the beauty.

Photo is another view from the second floor showing the two stained glass windows (one iwth orange, yellow, and teal colors, the other with golden decor around a blue backgroud with a woman in the center) and also shows to the right of that window a darker window frame with gray designs in it (unsure if it is a light window as it looks dark from this view). Above these 3 windows are three circle stained glass. The first one on the left has colors matching the first stained glass window, the middle one has the same colors but styled a little differently, the third one is darker with some blue in it.

You might be wondering who the visionary architect was who designed this magnificent beauty. We’ve been watching the show “Restoring Galveston” (because yes, we very much love to see old homes restored) and they mentioned the “Clayton Houses”. So, it was a fun surprise to find out he designed this home.

Photo shows ceiling painted with blue sky and clouds and cherubs, painted by Josephine Gresham. Surrounded by mahogany ceiling beams. Lace-looking wallpaper below the beams for about one foot, then mahogany walls with intricate carvings. Beautiful chandelier made of gold or brass with lights that are also intricate and look like flowers. — Josephine Gresham painted this gorgeous ceiling!

We learned that Clayton was a well-known architect who built over 30 stunning buildings in Galveston and a few in some other states as well. Sadly, many have been demolished or otherwise destroyed by fire or the 1900 hurricane.

Photo of bedroom. Bed is covered in a lace bedspread, floor is light hardwood, fireplace mantle and sides are light wood and carved, fireplace has light grey/green tiles. Antique clock on fireplace. Beautiful wooden dresser with mirror sits next to the window. Small white wicker rocking chair sits in front of arched entry to a circular sitting area with floor to ceiling windows, wooden shades, and small chandelier.

At the time of the 1900 hurricane, the “castle” was still owned by the Greshams and withstood the storm with no problem.

Photo shows room with a piano, fireplace with stone surrounding it, window above with carved pieces leading to more wood decor up to the tall ceiling. At the top is a painting of clouds, blue sky, and cherubs (painted by Josephine Gresham). On both sides of the fireplace are windows with upper wooden shades, and on top of them are short stained glass windows of yellow and white with a a bow design on top with ribbon leading to the sides of the window with another bow and the ribbons coming down. Gray wallpaper beside the windows, with diamond designs with leaves in the center of each diamond. — Josephine Gresham painted the mural above the fireplace.

In 1923 the Archdiocese of Galveston bought the property to be used as its headquarters, then when they moved to Houston, the home opened for tours in 1963.

The Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) bought it in 2013 with help from a grant from the Moddy Foundation, to preserve it and continue offering tours.

The Bishop’s Palace became a recorded historic landmark in 1967 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Phot shows rock wall outside of the building (top part of photo shows partial wall and balcony of building. The rock wall shows 4 markers: The Texas State Historical Medallion, the "1900 Surviver Storm" bronze marker, the circular Galveston Landmark marker, and the rectangular marker showing it is a recorded Texas Historic Landmark, dedicated in 1967. This marker says, "The Bishop's Palace." Built, 1886-1893, by Col. Walter Gresham, Civic leader and U.S. Congressman. Nicholas J. Clayton was architect. One of the most lavish and massive homes in U.S., house is a Victorian adaptation of Renaissance style. Silver and Onyx mantel in music room won first prize, 1886, at New Orleans Exposition. Mrs. Gresham painted murals, ceilings. Catholic Diocese bought home, 1923, made one room into chapel with stained glass windows."

The basement once held the kitchen and servant’s areas, and now that basement holds a gift shop. One of the ways you can help support this precious historical site is an easy one – buy something from the gift shop! Then you’ll also have a nice little souvenir to show your friends and tell them all about the story of the magnificent Bishop’s Palace.

The Bishop’s Palace is located at:
1402 Broadway,
Galveston TX 77550

Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for 6-18 years old, under 5 is free.

Please be aware that the site is not fully accessible as there is no wheelchair ramp.

Also, at the time of this article, the Palace is undergoing maintenance and may be surrounded by scaffolding when you go, but it is still open to visitors.