Christ Church Episcopal - San Augustine, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 31° 31.698 W 094° 06.355
15R E 395005 N 3488683
This strongly braced post and beam structure built 1870. Gothic bell tower added 1891.
Waymark Code: WMQXPJ
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 04/11/2016
Views: 5
From San Augustine Website:
"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."
"But the church fell in a storm in 1859, and with it the stained glass windows and the organ. Saved were the church alter, lectern, rails, pews, alter plate, and linens."
"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.
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"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."