Bellville in Austin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Original Site of St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2020
1. Original Site of St. Mary's Episcopal Church Marker
Anglicans in Bellville began gathering for informal worship services in the 1850s at the home of Bellville attorney Nehemiah Holland. In 1861, Bishop Alexander Gregg held the first official service in the Masonic Lodge building, under the leadership of the Rev. Daniel Shaver, St. Mary's was admitted to the diocese of Texas as a new congregation the following year. Charter members included Nehemiah Holland, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin T. Harris, Charles H. Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Reese Blake, William and Sarah Paine Thompson, and Robert and Rebecca Chambers Paine.
A period of marked growth during the 1870s under the leadership of the Rev. Lindsey P. Rucker and dedicated lay members led to the purchase of property at this site, and the congregation constructed Bellville's first church building. Described as a wooden structure with Gothic revival features and stained glass windows from Munich, Germany , the building was consecrated in 1881. the first funeral in the new church building was for Nehemiah Holland, considered to be St. Mary's founder.
After 80 years of service to the congregation, the original building was replaced with a new structure on the adjacent lot in 1961. Additional facilities, including a Parish hall and education wing, were built to accommodate the ministries of the Parish. St. Mary's
this page online
Erected 2002 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12789.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 29° 57.09′ N, 96° 15.499′ W. Marker is in Bellville, Texas, in Austin County. It is at the intersection of North Masonic Street and West Main Street (State Highway 36), on the left when traveling north on North Masonic Street. The marker is located on the north side of the church by the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24 North Masonic Street, Bellville TX 77418, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of First Bellville Masonic Lodge Building (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank of Bellville (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bellville (about 700 feet away); Austin County Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Harigel House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bellville General Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); E.O. Finn Building
Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2020
2. Original Site of St. Mary's Episcopal Church Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2020
3. Original Site of St. Mary's Episcopal Church and Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2020
4. Original marker of the 1881 church site
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 428 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 8, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
