Saint Mary's Episcopal Church
Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas
Marker Inscription
First Episcopal church in Hamilton County. Services were begun 1868 in home of Mrs. E. D. Bell, Rt. Rev. Alexander Gregg; first bishop of Texas, who rode here horseback from Galveston. Site given 1891 by Maj. C. W. Cotton. Building committee: S. D. Felt, J. L. Spurlin, E. R. Williams. Gothic architecture. Bell given by a St. Louis merchant. Consecrated 1896 by bishop A. C. Garrett. Rev. W. W. Patrick was the first rector. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark--1966
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Hamilton County's first Episcopal congregation began in 1868 in a private home, served by Alexander Gregg, Texas's first bishop, who rode horseback all the way from Galveston. A donated site in 1891 made way for a Gothic-style building, its bell given by a St. Louis merchant, consecrated in 1896. It stands as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
Why it matters
The church records how organized religion followed settlers onto the central Texas frontier, with bishops traveling great distances to plant lasting institutions in raw new counties.
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Related people
- · Alexander Gregg
- · C. W. Cotton
- · W. W. Patrick
Themes & tags
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