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Christ Church Episcopal Mrs. Frances C. Henderson, wife of the first governor of Texas, was instrumental in founding the Episcopal Church in San Augustine. It was at her insistance that the Reverend Henry Samson was sent in April of 1848 to do missionary work in San Augustine and Nacogdoches. Unfortunately, Rev. Samson's first service was the burial of his oldest child, who died of scarlet fever the day after the family arrived in San Augustine. The child's remains are interred under the church alter. The original brick church was built in the Gothic style in 1851. |
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A movement was begun to rebuild the church in 1869. Mr. George F. Crocket donated the land on which the church now stands, and Col. Stephen W. Blount donated the lumber and shingles. On Christmas, 1870, the first service was held in the new building, which has been in constant use since. Determined that this building would stand, the builders used boxed walls thoroughly braced on both sides. In 1891, the Gothic tower was added to relieve the building strain caused by the vibration of the bell. In the church are the original rails, hand hewn pews, and lovely carvings of the Rev. George Crocket. In 1990, the interior of the historic church was repainted through a gift from the estate of Mrs. Summerfield G. Roberts, whose relatives worshipped here. A gift from the Edward Clark family made possible manufacture of lighting fixtures of the 1869 period fabricated from one of the original fixtures found in the church. The light fixtures were dedicated as the Anne Metcalf Clark Memorial Lights in 1991. 201 Ayish |