St. Francis Episcopal Church Tyler
A Brief History
A Brief History
The Diocese of Texas in 1953 purchased 5 1/2 acres of land at the corner of Jan and DeCharles. St. Andrews mission was organized in 1956 by 25 communicants of Christ Church, Tyler. The original building, which was intended to serve as a Parish Hall and temporary Sanctuary, was completed in 1958. It contained no pews, only folding chairs. The new building was arranged so that the altar would always be visible from the street, day and night. Parish status was granted in 1964.
The three metal crosses on the West grounds were erected with the original church building. The center cross stands 36 feet tall and represents the sacrifice of Christ. The side crosses represent the two other crosses that stood on Calvary.
What is now the Parish Hall was four classrooms in the ‘50s. They were used for children's Sunday School and on five days a week were used as classrooms for St. Andrews School. The Parish Hall/Sanctuary was used for adult Sunday School. What we now call the Education Building was added in the early 60's to accommodate the Episcopal school. In the mid 70's, the school was moved from St. Andrews and became All Saints School.
In the early 80's there were many changes taking place both inside and out of the church, with long range plans being voted on by the Vestry and congregation. At that time, the Vestry, supported by the priest, asked the diocese if the name of the parish could be changed. The bishop and the diocese replied yes, the new name was adopted, and the church was christened St. Francis.
As the church now approaches almost 60 years in existence, thanks can be given because hundreds of worshipers have called this their church home. They have been fed with the Word proclaimed from its lectern and the Sacrament offered from its altar. Through a strong faith, St. Francis looks with hope to the future. Thanks be to God!
This information was taken from the book entitled St. Francis Episcopal Church, Tyler, Texas: a History, written by Pat Logan, a current and longtime member of St. Francis. The book is available in the Church Library, located in the Education Building.
The three metal crosses on the West grounds were erected with the original church building. The center cross stands 36 feet tall and represents the sacrifice of Christ. The side crosses represent the two other crosses that stood on Calvary.
What is now the Parish Hall was four classrooms in the ‘50s. They were used for children's Sunday School and on five days a week were used as classrooms for St. Andrews School. The Parish Hall/Sanctuary was used for adult Sunday School. What we now call the Education Building was added in the early 60's to accommodate the Episcopal school. In the mid 70's, the school was moved from St. Andrews and became All Saints School.
In the early 80's there were many changes taking place both inside and out of the church, with long range plans being voted on by the Vestry and congregation. At that time, the Vestry, supported by the priest, asked the diocese if the name of the parish could be changed. The bishop and the diocese replied yes, the new name was adopted, and the church was christened St. Francis.
As the church now approaches almost 60 years in existence, thanks can be given because hundreds of worshipers have called this their church home. They have been fed with the Word proclaimed from its lectern and the Sacrament offered from its altar. Through a strong faith, St. Francis looks with hope to the future. Thanks be to God!
This information was taken from the book entitled St. Francis Episcopal Church, Tyler, Texas: a History, written by Pat Logan, a current and longtime member of St. Francis. The book is available in the Church Library, located in the Education Building.