St. George's Episcopal Church

St. George's Episcopal Church

The first Episcopal worship service in Texas City took place on March 23, 1913, two years after the city incorporated and the same year the United States Army arrived as part of its coastal defense of American interests during the Mexican Revolution. The Rev. C. W. Freeland, chaplain to the 6th Cavalry stationed in Texas City at the time, presided at the Easter Day service. That summer, the Rt. Rev. George H. Kinsolving, Bishop of Texas, organized the new congregation as a mission to be known as St. George's.

Worship services were held in the homes of members until the spring of 1915. In that year, St. George's purchased and moved an Army recreation building to its new property at 314 10th Avenue North. Despite the destruction of its first church building in the 1915 Hurricane, the first recorded baptisms were held in September 1915, and Bishop Kinsolving confirmed the seven members in the first confirmation class in 1917. A new frame chapel, built on property at 10th Avenue and 4th Street, was completed about 1923.

In 1940, St. George's became self-supporting and moved from mission to parish status. Within the next decade, the congregation experienced World War II, the 1947 Texas City explosion and the beginnings of a booming city economy. During the 1950s, the growing congregation constructed a new church building at this site, a rectory a few blocks east, a classroom and office wing, and a parish hall. Hurricane Carla in 1961 and a disastrous fire in 1983 caused much damage to the facilities, but the members of the congregation persevered to continue their mission and a variety of ministries, including worship, education, and community outreach, into the 21st century.

(2003)