Church of the Ascension
Montell, Uvalde County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Bishop W. P. Elliott held first Episcopal rites in Montell, 1890. Church was built with donations from friends throughout the world, under the leadership of the Rev. Richard Galbraith, who came from Ireland in 1883. The first service was held in this edifice Christmas Day, 1890. Services of Consecration by the Right Rev. J. S. Johnston, Bishop of West Texas, 1891. 1965
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Church of the Ascension grew from the first Episcopal rites held in remote Montell in 1890, led by the Rev. Richard Galbraith, who had come from Ireland in 1883. Built with donations from friends around the world, the church held its first service on Christmas Day 1890 and was consecrated by the Bishop of West Texas the following year. It remains a landmark of frontier faith in the Uvalde County hill country.
Why it matters
The little church shows how far-flung frontier congregations, led by immigrant clergy and sustained by distant benefactors, planted institutions of faith in isolated corners of West Texas.
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Related people
- · Richard Galbraith
- · J. S. Johnston
Themes & tags
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