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St. Luke's Episcopal Church Denison, Texas  St. Luke's Among Oldest Churches Serving Denison St.
Luke's Episcopal Church had its beginning in the spring of 1873 shortly
before Denison's incorporation when Rev. Edward Wickens,
priest-in-charge of the Church of the Emancipation, Dallas, held first
services here in the home of Mrs. Ellen Clifton. Until a
parochial organization was effected Nov. 27, 1873, Rev. Wickens held
services in the Denison Opera House. The first baptism was early
in 1874. Source: The History of Grayson County Texas by Grayson County Frontier Village, 1979, pg775When the parish organized and the name of St. Luke's accepted, Dr. J. C. Field, G. F. Dexter, John W. Jennings, J. T. Owens and E. H. Lingo were chosen as vestrymen. Rev. Edward W. Gilliam was called jointly by St. Luke's in Denison and St. Stephen's in Sherman. He named Dr. Field, senior warden. G. T. Dexter was elected junior warden; Dr. Cutler, secretary; and Mr. Lingo, treasurer. In addition to the above named, the articles of association were signed by J. Knox Lynn, W. A. Carth, W. H. Taylor and Edward Chadick. With the resignation of Rev. Gilliam, August 1, 1873, a little more than a year elapsed before Rev. Franklin W. Adams, Chillicothe, Mo., was elected as his successor, holding his first service in October of 1875 in the old town hall. Subsequent services were held in the Good Templars' hall on Woodard street until the church building at the corner of Woodard and Fannin was ready for occupancy.  Aerial View, 500 block West Woodard Street, north side. This was church row: St. Luke's Episcopal Church barely visible at far right, First Methodist Church at right, and First Baptist Church at left. Detail of RPPC (post card), Photo by J. Bowers Photographic Co., London-Topeka. Collection of Mavis Anne Bryant. The corner stone was laid by Bishop Garrett on Saturday after the third Sunday in Advent, assisted by the rector. Services were held in the structure, although it was not fully completed, on Septuagesima Sunday, 1876, the rector assisted by Rev. Edward Wickens. The rectory and parish house, the latter an integral part of the main building, have been added since. St. Luke's Episcopal Church was completed in 1876, just four years after the town lots do Denison were sold. The nave of the original building was enclosed with brick and still stands, which makes St. Luke's the oldest church building in continuous use in Denison. In 1876 the original bulding was completed and conserated - making it the oldest church building in Denison. The original building became a part of the present day building which, in 1880, was enlarged into the cruciform shape with the addition of the transepts and chancel. St. Luke's Episcopal Church History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |