Christ Church Cathedral (Houston)

Christ Church Cathedral, Houston is the cathedral church for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The congregation was established in 1839, when Texas was still an independent republic.[1] It is the oldest extant congregation in Houston and one of the oldest non-Roman Catholic churches in Texas. Many Episcopal churches in Houston and the surrounding area were founded as missions of Christ Church, such as Trinity Church, Houston, founded in 1893.

Christ Church Cathedral, Houston
Christ Church Cathedral at night
Christ Church Cathedral (Houston) is located in Houston Downtown
Christ Church Cathedral (Houston)
Christ Church Cathedral (Houston) is located in Texas
Christ Church Cathedral (Houston)
Christ Church Cathedral (Houston) is located in the United States
Christ Church Cathedral (Houston)
Location1117 Texas Ave
Houston, Texas
Coordinates29.7596°N 95.3612°W / 29.7596; -95.3612
Built1893
ArchitectSilas McBee
Architectural styleLate Gothic Revival
NRHP reference No.79002957
RTHL No.10631
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJune 15, 1979
Designated RTHL1972

History

Located at 1117 Texas Avenue in Downtown Houston, the current building dates from 1893.[2] In 1938 the building suffered a major fire. A firefighter sprayed down the ornately carved rood screen to prevent its destruction, and it survived with only minor damage.[1] Everett Titcomb composed the anthem "Behold Now, Praise the Lord" for the rededication and centennial of Christ Church.[3]

Christ Church became the cathedral of the diocese in 1949.[2] Presently, Christ Church has a baptized membership of more than 3000 communicants.

Clergy

Christ Church's first rector was the Rev’d Charles Gillett of Connecticut. He led the congregation to build its first church building in 1845.[2] James P. deWolfe was the church's rector from 1934 to 1940.[2] He rebuilt the edifice and started many programs before going on to be the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island.[4] From 2013-2022, the dean was the Very Reverend Barkley S. Thompson.[5]

Cathedral House Episcopal School

The school opened in 1986 on the campus of Christ Church Cathedral with a philosophy grounded in the teachings of Maria Montessori. Classrooms include nursery, movement, toddler, primary and kindergarten.[6]

See also

References
  1. Turner, Allan. "Christ Church Cathedral's story parallels Houston's". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  2. "History". Christ Church Cathedral. Archived from the original on April 17, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  3. Titcomb, Behold Now Praise the Lord, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_SIIToPl50
  4. "Episcopate: Bishop DeWolfe Dies". The Living Church. Vol. 152, no. 8. February 20, 1966. p. 5.
  5. "Clergy". Christ Church Cathedral. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  6. "History & Philosophy". Cathedral House Montessori School. Retrieved April 16, 2015.

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