Christ Church
San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas
Marker Inscription
East Texas mother church. Founded 1848 by Rev. Henry Samson, missionary sent on plea of Mrs. J. Pinckney Henderson, wife of first (1846-1847) Governor of State of Texas. Original brick building, 1851. This strongly braced post and beam structure built 1870. Gothic bell tower added 1891. Has pews and rails from first building. Rev. Geo. L. Crocket, rector 41 years, made carvings in church; wrote "Two Centuries in East Texas." Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Christ Church was founded in 1848 by the Reverend Henry Samson, a missionary sent in response to a plea from the wife of Texas's first state governor, J. Pinckney Henderson. After an 1851 brick sanctuary, the congregation raised this braced post-and-beam structure in 1870 and added a Gothic bell tower in 1891, keeping pews and rails from the original building. Its longtime rector, the Reverend George L. Crocket, carved decorative work in the church and wrote the regional history 'Two Centuries in East Texas.'
Why it matters
As an early 'mother church' of East Texas, it reflects the role of frontier congregations — and the women who championed them — in planting lasting institutions in a new state.
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Related people
- · Rev. Henry Samson
- · J. Pinckney Henderson
- · Rev. George L. Crocket
Themes & tags
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