All Saints' Episcopal Church
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This edifice stands on the mid-1840s land grant of former Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar, and near the official residence of the second Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, the Rt. Rev. George Herbert Kinsolving (1849-1928). Aided by the Bishop and his wife Grace, the Diocese of Texas bought this land as site for a residence for women students of the University of Texas. Built in 1897, that structure called "Grace Hall" was in use for nearly 70 years. All Saints’, erected in 1899 as a chapel for Grace Hall, was dedicated to the memory of the Rt. Rev. Alexander Gregg (1819-93), first Episcopal Bishop of Texas. Austin architect A.O. Watson designed the Gothic Revival structure of native limestone. Its stained glass windows of Medieval Mosaic style are recognized as fine examples of American art. By 1910, All Saints’ had become a parish in the growing university neighborhood. In time, three of its Rectors became Bishops. The crozier of office of Bishop Kinsolving stood in the chancel for 35 years. He was revered as the founder, benefactor, and lifelong friend of the parish. As he had wished, his body was buried beneath the altar in 1939. (1975)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Standing on land once granted to Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar, this Gothic Revival chapel of native limestone was built in 1899 by Austin architect A.O. Watson to serve Grace Hall, a residence the Episcopal Diocese built in 1897 for women students at the University of Texas. Dedicated to the memory of the first Episcopal Bishop of Texas, it grew into a full parish by 1910 and became closely bound to Bishop George Herbert Kinsolving, who was buried beneath its altar. Its Medieval-mosaic stained glass is prized as fine American art.
Why it matters
The church shows how religious institutions supported the education of women and shaped the growing university neighborhoods of a state capital.
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Related people
- · Rt. Rev. George Herbert Kinsolving
- · Mirabeau B. Lamar
- · A.O. Watson
Themes & tags
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