Church History
Trinity Episcopal Church has been a beacon of the Light of the Gospel in Marshall for 170 years. In its early days, the parish ministered directly to and supported outreach to the many railroad workers and their families who came to work with the Texas and Pacific. Trinity was the founding organization in 1914 of the Empty Stocking Fund, a program that provides Christmas gifts for children of families in need. During the early 1950s, the parish founded Trinity Episcopal School. The school continues to provide a strong academic environment for children from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The parish has been a congregation of Christians who strive to reflect the light of Christ in our teaching and outreach ministries to those in the city of Marshall, Harrison County, and beyond.
Trinity Episcopal Church was first founded on January 4, 1851 with the first confirmation occurring several months later on June 22, 1851 by the Rt. Rev. George Washington Freeman, Bishop of Arkansas and Provisional Missionary Bishop to Texas. The Masonic Lodge was the first worship space used by the congregation and unfortunately, the first church was a standalone brick structure that collapsed in 1868. The collapse of this structure almost led to the dissolution of Trinity Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Edwin A Wagner was called as Rector after the collapse of the old church and began rebuilding the congregation. Divine Services were resumed for the parish in the Odd Fellows Hall and the second Trinity Church was built on the present site in 1874. The first service was conducted on March 5, 1874.
In 1909, The Rev. C. C. Kramer was called as Rector. In 1912, the Rev. Kramer set about efforts to build a new church more substantial than the wood one that stood on the present site. The Rev. Kramer set the wheels in motion that would eventually result in the present church, however, he resigned as Rector in 1914 due to ill health. Upon his resignation, he was elected Rector-Emeritus of Trinity Church. This honor was a short one as he died within a month of his election. Under the Rev. Kramer’s leadership, a building committee was formed in 1913.
In 1916, an architect was engaged to design a new sanctuary. In early 1917, plans were submitted to the vestry for consideration. During World War I, building considerations were placed on hold, but in 1920, efforts to build were begun anew and a capital campaign committee was formed.
In 1925, the “old church” was moved from the corner lot of Houston and Grove Streets to the current location of Fry Hall. Service of Dedication was held in the “new” church on July 25th, 1926 by the Rt. Rev. Clinton S. Quin, Bishop of the Diocese of Texas. In 1928, the old church was demolished and Fry Hall was constructed on that site.
On March 1, 1930 the Rev. Henry F. Selcer was called as Rector of Trinity. He would serve Trinity and the Marshall and Harrison County communities for the next 27 years.
In 1954, Trinity Episcopal School was founded. The school originally met in the present Fry Hall. The school grew to over 250 students and occupied two campuses, one for preschool and one for K through 8th grade. Currently, preschool through 8th grade is housed off the church site on land purchased by the school.
In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s plans and funds were made to build the present All Saint’s Hall which houses the administrative space and the parish hall.
In 2006, a building committee was formed to ascertain the future needs of the parish to carry it into the 21st century. The members of the committee quickly recognized that new, up-to-date education space was needed as well as larger nursery facilities and permanent and dedicated space for the youth, who had been meeting for the last two decades in a temporary building. In 2007, a plan to renovate Fry Hall and add an extension for nursery and youth was approved. In 2008, a capital campaign commenced that raised the necessary funds for the renovation and building.
At the same time, money was donated to renovate the interior of the sanctuary itself. The interior renovation of the sanctuary was begun immediately and completed in 2008. In March 2009, construction began on the renovation of Fry Hall and the construction of Selcer Hall. The new complex added 5,000 square feet to the existing 5,800 square feet of education space. The renovation also included the construction of The Chapel of the Holy Family.
Trinity Episcopal Church was first founded on January 4, 1851 with the first confirmation occurring several months later on June 22, 1851 by the Rt. Rev. George Washington Freeman, Bishop of Arkansas and Provisional Missionary Bishop to Texas. The Masonic Lodge was the first worship space used by the congregation and unfortunately, the first church was a standalone brick structure that collapsed in 1868. The collapse of this structure almost led to the dissolution of Trinity Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Edwin A Wagner was called as Rector after the collapse of the old church and began rebuilding the congregation. Divine Services were resumed for the parish in the Odd Fellows Hall and the second Trinity Church was built on the present site in 1874. The first service was conducted on March 5, 1874.
In 1909, The Rev. C. C. Kramer was called as Rector. In 1912, the Rev. Kramer set about efforts to build a new church more substantial than the wood one that stood on the present site. The Rev. Kramer set the wheels in motion that would eventually result in the present church, however, he resigned as Rector in 1914 due to ill health. Upon his resignation, he was elected Rector-Emeritus of Trinity Church. This honor was a short one as he died within a month of his election. Under the Rev. Kramer’s leadership, a building committee was formed in 1913.
In 1916, an architect was engaged to design a new sanctuary. In early 1917, plans were submitted to the vestry for consideration. During World War I, building considerations were placed on hold, but in 1920, efforts to build were begun anew and a capital campaign committee was formed.
In 1925, the “old church” was moved from the corner lot of Houston and Grove Streets to the current location of Fry Hall. Service of Dedication was held in the “new” church on July 25th, 1926 by the Rt. Rev. Clinton S. Quin, Bishop of the Diocese of Texas. In 1928, the old church was demolished and Fry Hall was constructed on that site.
On March 1, 1930 the Rev. Henry F. Selcer was called as Rector of Trinity. He would serve Trinity and the Marshall and Harrison County communities for the next 27 years.
In 1954, Trinity Episcopal School was founded. The school originally met in the present Fry Hall. The school grew to over 250 students and occupied two campuses, one for preschool and one for K through 8th grade. Currently, preschool through 8th grade is housed off the church site on land purchased by the school.
In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s plans and funds were made to build the present All Saint’s Hall which houses the administrative space and the parish hall.
In 2006, a building committee was formed to ascertain the future needs of the parish to carry it into the 21st century. The members of the committee quickly recognized that new, up-to-date education space was needed as well as larger nursery facilities and permanent and dedicated space for the youth, who had been meeting for the last two decades in a temporary building. In 2007, a plan to renovate Fry Hall and add an extension for nursery and youth was approved. In 2008, a capital campaign commenced that raised the necessary funds for the renovation and building.
At the same time, money was donated to renovate the interior of the sanctuary itself. The interior renovation of the sanctuary was begun immediately and completed in 2008. In March 2009, construction began on the renovation of Fry Hall and the construction of Selcer Hall. The new complex added 5,000 square feet to the existing 5,800 square feet of education space. The renovation also included the construction of The Chapel of the Holy Family.