Episcopal Mission of the Ascension
Decatur, Wise County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Oldest original church building in Decatur. Consecrated by great missionary bishop, the Rt. Rev. A. C. Garrett. Erected facing Main Street (2 blks. W. of square) in 1889. Known as "The Little Church with the Crosses", by 1912 it had deteriorated, but was restored and moved, facing Walnut Street. In 1940 building was sold, used as mattress factory, but rescued same year and moved here, with sanctuary placed symbolically to east, toward Jerusalem.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Decatur's oldest original church building, this Episcopal chapel was erected facing Main Street in 1889 and consecrated by the pioneering missionary bishop A.C. Garrett. Known as "The Little Church with the Crosses," it fell into disrepair by 1912 but was restored and moved, then sold in 1940 and briefly used as a mattress factory before being rescued that same year. In its final move the sanctuary was placed symbolically toward the east and Jerusalem.
Why it matters
Frontier churches like this trace the spread of organized religion across settling Texas and the community efforts that preserved them.
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Related people
- · Rt. Rev. A.C. Garrett
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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