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ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL
CHURCH GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS
In the latter part of 1945,
three men, all residents of Grand Prairie, met in the office of E. Carlyle
Smith, Sr. to discuss plans to establish an Episcopal Mission in Grand Prairie.
These men were E. Carlyle Smith, Sr., Frank E. Jarrett, and S. A. McIlhenny, Sr.
This meeting was followed on 9 January, 1946, by a conference with Bishop C.
Avery Mason (then Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Dallas) to discuss definite
plans for a Mission.
At that time The Rev. Joe
Frederick was in charge of the First Christian Church located on the southwest
comer of N. E. 4th and Church Streets. He and the members of the church
generously offered the facilities there for services, and so it was there that
the first meeting of the congregation was held on 10 February, 1946, and every
Sunday thereafter from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. for several months. Services began with
the following families participating: E. Carlyle Smith, Sr., R. C. Sanderlin, W.
L. Powell, S. A. McIlhenny, Sr., Frank E. Jarrett, Robert M.
Jones, Thomas Lundy, and Sgt. C.
H. Moore. The Rev. Bertram Smith from Christ Church, Dallas, conducted the first
service. He was followed by various priests from over the Diocese until a Priest-in-Charge was called.
The facilities of the First
Christian Church were used until August, 1946, when Mr. Winfield Morton gave the
congregation a prefab building in which to conduct services. It was placed on
lots at N. W. 8th and Hill Streets which had been given by S. A. McIlhenny, Sr.
The Vestry later purchased adjacent lots for future use.
The first Vestry serving the
church was appointed by Bishop Mason and was made up of the following men: E.
Carlyle Smith, Senior Warden; S. A. Mcilhenny, Junior Warden; Thomas Lundy;
Robert M. Jones; Frank E. Jarrett; R. C.
Sanderlin; W. L. Powell; and Sgt. C. H. Moore.
The mission began with eight
families and grew to a church family of approximately 25 or 30 within three
months. The first confirmation class, numbering three, was presented the first
Friday in May, 1946. Those confirmed at that time were Michael Fuller Johnstone,
Beverly Brewington Johnstone, and Phyllis Matlock Smith. The first person to be
baptized at the mission was E. Carlyle Smith, Jr.
In June of 1946, The Rev.
William H. Fox came to St. Andrew's from Waxahachie, Hillsboro, Ennis, and
Hubbard.
At the annual convention of the
Diocese of Dallas in January, 1947, the following petitioners asked the
privilege of being admitted as a mission under the name of St. Andrew's: S. A.
McIlhenny, C. H. Moore, Bob Lundy, Frank E. Jarrett, Mrs. Fred H. Wagner, Edwin
C. Shaw, Mrs. Edwin C. Shaw, R. M. Jones, Mrs. T. E. Lundy, A. W. Etheridge, Wm.
Jackley Brown, Mrs. Wm. Jackley Brown, R C. Sanderlin, Mrs. R. C. Sanderlin,
Mrs. A. J. Yager, Floyd W. Fisher, T. E. Lundy, E. Carlyle Smith, Mrs. R. M.
Jones, Mrs. Frank E. Jarrett. St. Andrew's, along with eleven other
congregations, was admitted as a Mission in the Diocese of Dallas.
Immediately following this
action, the application of St. Andrew's, Grand Prairie, for admission as a
parish into union with the convention was presented with the required number of
signatures as follows:
Mrs. Wm. Jackley
Brown, Frank E. Jarrett, Mrs. J. C. Thompson, E. Carlyle
Smith, W. L. Powell, Mrs. E. Carlyle Smith, T. E. Lundy, Paul Paxton, Mrs. T. E. Lundy, Mrs. Paul
Paxton, E. C. Talman,
Mrs. Clyde W. Brown, R C. Sanderlin, Mrs.
R. V. Miranda, Mrs. R. C. Sanderlin, Mrs. Robert M.
Jones, Mrs. F. W. Fisher, R. V.
Miranda, Mrs. Wm. T. Zink, Clyde W.
Brown, Mrs. E. D. Douthitt, Mrs. W. L.
Powell, Mrs. Frank E. Jarrett
On motion, duly seconded and carried, the convention
admitted St. Andrew's, Grand Prairie, as a parish and the delegates were
accorded seats and votes. Thus St. Andrew's, having fulfilled all requirements,
was in the unique position of being admitted as a mission and a parish at the
same convention. It was because of the groundwork done prior to its organization
by Father Bertram Smith and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew of Christ Church,
Dallas, along with the group of enthusiastic laymen in Grand Prairie. St.
Andrew's also became the first mission established by Bishop Mason after his
consecration as Bishop of the Diocese.
In October of 1946, nine were
confirmed; in January, 1947, four were confirmed; and, by the close of 1947, the
parish had a communicant strength of 87.
Following the Diocesan
Convention in January, 1947, the following men served as Vestrymen: E. Carlyle
Smith, S. A. Mcilhenny, Robert M. Jones, Thomas E. Lundy, W. L. Powell, Sgt. C.
H. Moore (resigned and replaced by R. V. Miranda,) Clyde Brown, (resigned and
replaced by Howard M. Hall.) The Choir Director during that period was M. F.
Johnston, and Mrs. Clyde Brown was organist.
In 1948, four prefabricated
Quonset-type buildings were obtained and placed behind the church to be used as
a parish hall and church school building. Classes also met in the vesting room
behind the sanctuary.
The next building project in
1950 was a five-room frame house located at 723 Hill Street to be used as a
rectory. Prior to this time, the Rector, Father Wm. H. Fox, had been residing in
a small garage apartment a few blocks from the church at the northwest comer of
Church and 7th Sts. behind the home of Cassie Gentry.
Late in 1951, the buildings used
for a parish hall and church school burned; and in the ensuing months the church
school used various facilities including a small city building which at that
time was the Grand Prairie Community Center located south of the present city
hall. Some classes met in homes of members living near the church, and even the
rectory became a Sunday School room. Activities which would nom1ally occupy the
parish hall were carried on in homes for the most part.
After the parish hall burned,
plans were started for a future building program and a Master Plan for Building
was drawn. Since the fire created an immediate and urgent need, it was thought
expedient to proceed with building a new parish hall as the first step in the
master plan. This building was completed in 1952 and served for all parish
activities as well as a nursery and church school.
May, 1951, saw the building fund
for the new church building initiated with a "Feast of Bricks," a parish-wide
project under the direction of Mrs. Wm. L. Powell. The entire parish was invited
to come to a picnic at the parish hall. A large number of bricks which had been
blessed by Bishop Mason were offered to members with the agreement that each
apply his talents for the next three months to raise $100 to pay for each brick.
In September, 1951, under the direction of Mrs. Powell, St. Andrew's held a
service of "Ingathering of the Bricks" and thus established the building fund
for the church.
Construction of the new building
was begun in 1953 and completed in 1954. The building committee was made up of
Howard M. Hall, Chairman; J. D. Perkins; and Fred Fanning. The architects were
Smith and Warder, Grand Prairie, and Broad and Nelson, Dallas. The value of the
entire property at that time, including the parish hall, was approximately
$100,000. Vestrymen were R. V. Miranda, Senior Warden; Fred Fanning, Junior
Warden; Thomas E. Rogers; Wm. C. Adair; John M. Thorne; E. H. Wright; L. F.
Mayer; H. C. Kincaid; and Howard M. Hall. L. S. Mosby was serving the parish as
treasurer which he did efficiently for several years before moving to Arlington.
The building was dedicated on
Easter Day, 1954, by Bishop Charles Avery Mason. The Rev. Frank E. Jarrett, who
had been ordained as priest at St. Andrew's in June of 1949, preached the
dedication sermon. Participating in the Service of Dedication were The Rev.
Francis W. Tyndall and The Rev. W. G. Brook, both of Irving; The Rev. W.
Harrison Beste of Arlington; and The Rev. Richard P. Layman of St. Joseph's,
Grand Prairie. These churches are considered sister churches of St. Andrew's
since their organization was a direct result of efforts made by parishioners
from St. Andrew's. Mrs. Ashley P. Vaughan III was organist for the dedication.
Upon completion of this
building, the magnificent Christus Rex, designed and executed in lead by
the talented and internationally acclaimed artist Octavio Medellin of Dallas,
was hung over the High Altar. A group of men and women who were members of the
Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament began to meet in the new church for
special devotions.
Sometime in 1953 the Vestry had
purchased a lot immediately west of the church to be used for parking. This was
a fifty-foot lot with a small house on it, and the church offices were housed
there until the new building was completed. At that time there was an additional
fifty-foot lot with a house on it at the southeast comer of 8th and Hill
Streets, immediately adjacent to the property occupied by the church and parking
lot. When the church building was completed, the offices were moved into the
space designated for that purpose. Besides offices for the Rector and the church
secretary, Dorothy Mary Rogers, who was one of the first persons to act in this
capacity, the building contained an area known as the "common room." Part of
this space has since been converted to expanded office areas; but at that time
it was used for many purposes such as inquirer's classes, Vestry meetings, St.
Margaret-Mary's Chapter of the Daughters of the King (organized in 1952), the
Junior Daughters of the King, and various other meetings.
The prefab building structure
previously used for the church was converted to church school classrooms after
completion of the new church building. Later, to make way for the last phase of
the building plan, the same structure was moved to the Bishop Mason Retreat
Center in Grapevine to house the monks who lived at the center. In time the
building became the center of the monk's living complex, having seen additions
to it on all four sides, and remained dedicated for use of the church in the
Diocese of Dallas.
The Rev. Wm. H. Fox resigned in
July, 1955, to accept a diocesan position; and in September The Rev. Mark G.
Holliday became Rector, coming to St. Andrew's from St. Matthias, Athens, Texas.
New pews were purchased in 1956
from funds donated by various parish organizations and communicants, some of
whom purchased one or more as gifts. To supplement these funds a "Pence for Pews
Fund" was initiated which continued for several years after the pews were paid
for in order to finance other projects, among them furnishings for the
educational building. An early young people's group called the YPF or Young
People's Fellowship helped in this project and many others and sponsored
activities for the entire parish.
In 1957 the church bought the
lot and small house to the east of the rectory for future expansion. That house
was rented until construction began on the church school building some years
later. It was then vacated so that it could be used by church school classes in
the interim and was eventually removed.
During this period Father
Holliday's request for a one-year leave of absence in 1959-60 to study at St.
Augustine's College in Canterbury, England was granted. During his absence The
Very Rev. Gerald G. Moore, retired Dean of St. Matthew's Cathedral, Dallas, came
to St. Andrew's as priest-in-charge. He moved into the rectory next to the
church with his sister, Miss Kathleen Moore. Under the guidance and love of this
saintly man and with the help of his beloved sister, this year may very likely
be remembered as a high point in the spiritual life of the parish. As secretary
to Father Holliday, the church office and its functions were kept intact and at
Father Moore's disposal during his tenure by Vema Bargsley. Using a monetary
gift of appreciation from Fr. Moore, Clyde and Verna Bargsley donated the silver
Sanctus Bell used at more somber services such as during Lent.
At long last, in July of 1960,
groundbreaking for the last unit of the Master Plan was held with Father Moore
officiating. This unit was the educational building. The building committee
consisted of Senior Warden Howard M. Hall, Chairman E. Carlyle Smith, and J. D.
Perkins; E. Carlyle Smith was also chairman of the finance committee for this
project. James M. Brown was the church treasurer, and Clyde L. Bargsley served
as the Vestry clerk. During negotiations for financing this final building
project, a new mortgage was initiated and all indebtedness brought under one
mortgage. Serving on the finance committee, along with the chairman, E. Carlyle
Smith, were Howard M. Hall, C. P. Waggoner, and Fred Fanning.
By the end of 1960 the
communicant strength was 448, and there were many flourishing parish
organizations. St. Anne's Guild, a women's day guild which began in the early
1950's and established St. Anne's Bookstore, was very active. It was also a time
when the women of the parish banded together as the Women of St. Andrew's to
accommodate those women who worked outside the home.
Father Holliday returned in the
fall of 1960; and, although it was indeed a joyous occasion, the joy was
somewhat tempered with a feeling of sadness at the departure of Father Moore and
Miss Kathleen, both of whom were much beloved by young and old in the parish.
The new educational building was
dedicated on 29 January, 1961, by Bishop Joseph M. Harte, Suffragan Bishop of
the Diocese of Dallas. Thus the Master Plan was completed on the fifteenth
anniversary of the beginning of St. Andrew's Church. Through the years--many of
those years under the guidance of Christine Hall as Church School
Superintendent--the church school had survived meeting in the community house,
the old church building, the parish hall, the "little house," and wherever else
it could find; but survive it did.
That same year, in September,
1961, St. Andrew's Kindergarten opened under the very capable supervision of
Mrs. M. D. Fagg. Since there was no public school kindergarten program, this
highly successful operation continued for several years with as many students
enrolled as Mrs. Fagg could handle. When it came time for her to retire, no
replacement could be found and the kindergarten closed in 1972.
Two lots across N. W. 8th
St., west of the main church property, were purchased by the church in 1962 for
enlargement of parking facilities.
In the ensuing years there were continuing projects for improvements and
additions to the property; some were gifts and some were financed by the parish.
One of the important projects was the purchase of a new organ through donations
large and small by parishioners. The new organ was installed in September, 1966,
and dedicated in October of that year.
A new rectory was constructed in 1968 on a lot donated by C. P. Waggoner at 1914
Hampshire Place, Grand Prairie.
The Rev. James Calhoun joined St. Andrew's as
curate and assistant to Father Holliday at Easter, 1970. He was the second
curate in the history of the parish, having been preceded by the Rev. Wm. W.
Lipscomb, who came in 1964 and stayed until December, 1965, when he accepted a
position as curate at Trinity Church, Ft. Worth.
Under the guidance of Father Holliday, magnificent stained glass windows were
installed in the church in 1970, the gifts of many parish families as memorials.
Father Holliday, after more than 15 years as Rector, submitted his resignation
in December, 1970, effective 15 January, 1971, to assume duties at St. Clement's
Parish, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His gift of teaching guided many members of
the parish family as they grew in their spiritual lives and began to understand
the real meaning of being a Christian. His influence would be felt for many
years to come.
The Rev. James Calhoun served the parish until April, 1971, when he resigned to
take a teaching position in Ft. Worth. The parish office stayed in running order
through Fathers Holliday, Calhoun, Hargrove, and Maneikis by the dedicated
efforts of Esther Gerlitski and her many years of experience in secretarial
duties.
In February, 1971, The Rev. Robert J. Hargrove, Jr., of Holy Trinity Parish in
West Palm Beach, Florida, accepted the offer to become Rector of St.
Andrew's effective the Sunday after Easter in April. After the arrival of Fr.
Hargrove and his family, various parish organizations which had been inactive
began anew under his leadership. Also, new activities were inaugurated in
various areas of parish life including a prayer group, a Bible study group, and
a men's club.
One of the highlights during
Father Hargrove's ministry was the initiation of a Children's Choir directed by
his wife, Linda. The choir was well known and was augmented by the addition of a
hand bell choir. The bells were donated by a number of parishioners in honor of
family members and friends whose names were positioned on each one.
On St. Andrew's Day, 30 November,
1971, the 25th Anniversary of the parish was celebrated with a parish dinner.
Fr. Hargrove left St. Andrew's
on January 1, 1975, to accept a position in the Department of Christian
Education in the Diocese of Dallas; and The Rev. John Rice came as Rector on 23
February, 1975, from Memphis, Tennessee. Father Rice resigned to return to
Memphis on 31 October, 1975. The Rev. Courtland Moore, Canon to the Bishop,
filled in until the spring of 1976, at which time The Rev. Michael Merriman
served the parish temporarily until June 1, when The Rev. V. Stanley Maneikis
was called to be the Rector of St. Andrew's.
On 25 January, 1977, the Feast
of the Conversion of St. Paul, The Rt. Rev. A. Donald Davies, Bishop of Dallas,
consecrated the parish church of St. Andrew's and participated in the burning of
the mortgage signifying that all indebtedness had been paid. At the same
celebration The Rev. V. Stanley Maneikis was formally instituted as Rector of
St. Andrew's,
Several projects were initiated
and completed including carpeting throughout the church and the refinishing of
the pews and other woodwork, The next year a new altar, "The Altar of the
Angels," designed by Octavio Medellin, was given to the church in memory of Alva
Waggoner by the Waggoner family. Under the supervision of Helen Carr, the
needlepoint was completed for the acolyte kneelers and for cushions on the
Bishop's side chairs. A Wednesday morning Bible class was organized.
Additional hand bells were
purchased in September, 1977, by Father Maneikis.
St. Andrew's Episcopal School, a
parochial day school, opened in September, 1978, beginning with three and
four-year olds with plans for an additional grade to be added each year. Jo Ann
Lombardi was the head teacher until 1979 when Jane Bellion became headmistress
of the very successful and widely acclaimed school.
The Boy Scout troop sponsored
by St. Andrew's acquired the "Hut" in which to store their equipment since they
met in the parish hall. The Women of St. Andrew's later claimed the "Hut" to
work on projects and store items' for receptions, etc.
A group of communicants from St.
Andrew's left the Episcopal Church to form a new Anglican church under the
leadership of former Rector, Father Mark Holliday. This move was due chiefly to
the changes in the 1928 Prayer Book and the ordination of women at the 1976
general convention.
In 1982 the Vestry authorized
the establishment of a food concession booth at Texas Stadium to be staffed by
church members as volunteers. With the money earned from the Stadium Teams, a
building and maintenance fund was started.
The Rev. Ted Karpf came as
curate for six months; he was ordained into the priesthood at St. Andrew's on
October 18, 1982.
The division of the Diocese of
Dallas brought St. Andrew's into the Diocese of Ft. Worth as of 1 January, 1983.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Ft. Worth was The Rt. Rev. A. Donald Davies.
In March, 1984, Father Maneikis
resigned as Rector to accept a position at St. Bartholomew's Church in
Arlington. The Rev. Tom Sifford served St. Andrew's as interim Rector from 1
March through 15 July, 1984. The Rev. Fredrick A. Robinson, who was serving as
curate at St. Mark's in Arlington, was called to be Rector of St. Andrew's and
began his tenure on July 16,1984.
Under the dedicated spiritual
leadership of Father Robinson, St. Andrew's once again began to thrive. In
addition to the Wednesday morning Bible study group, Father Robinson started a
Monday night Bible study and in the fall of 1985 organized an adult forum to be
held between the two Sunday Eucharists.
In the fall of 1985 Deacon
George Straight came to St. Andrew's, marking the beginning of many years of
caring and sharing with the parish that would become a valuable part of the life
of the church.
St. Andrew's participation in
the diocesan curacy program provided us with two outstanding curates: Father
Keith McKenzie, 1 June, 1986, to 6 August, 1987, and Father Bill Stanford who
came to us on 1 June, 1987.
St. Andrew's School continued
to grow and offer an outstanding curriculum to students from two years through
fifth grade and became known throughout the community for the quality of its
programs.
In the summer of 1986 the
church school building, which housed both the day school and the Sunday School,
underwent a total remodeling. The school had grown to offer classes through
the fifth grade.
In December, 1985, St. Joseph's
Church of Grand Prairie reverted to mission status and Bishop Clarence Cullum
Pope Jr. appointed Father Robinson as Priest-in-Charge. St. Joseph's shared St.
Andrew's facilities from January, 1986, to August, ! 1987, while they
reorganized prior to moving to their new facility in the south part of town. In
March, 1986, Carlyle Smith, Jr., reported that Trammell Crow's Westchester
subdivision in South Grand Prairie would have two three-acre church sites
available. Contact was also made with Captain Naughton and other officials at
the Naval Air Station to obtain the World War II vintage chapel no longer in use
at the base. The Navy Chapel was awarded to St. Joseph's Mission on 25 May,
1986, and Trammell Crow donated a prime location on South Carrier Parkway on
which to place the chapel. On 12 April, 1987, the foundation was poured and the
building was moved. When St. Joseph's was once again in its own facility, Father
McKenzie was made Vicar with Father Robinson still acting as Priest-in-Charge
until Fr. McKenzie's ordination on the sixth of August, 1987.
In preparation for future
growth, St. Andrew's purchased property at 813 Hill St. and property at 806
College St. in 1985 with options to purchase other lots nearby.
In 1986 St. Andrew's Church
celebrated the 40th year of its existence with a capital funds drive dedicated
to raising funds to take care of the needs of church and school. The success of
the "Building for the Future... Together" drive allowed for the remodeling and
expansion of the parish hall and the parish offices in the summer of 1987. These
projects had been the second and third priorities after the retirement of the
outstanding costs of the education building remodeling which had been
accomplished in 1986.
The group working on a
needlepoint project which began in June, 1985, was proud to have "The Communion
of Saints" altar needlepoint dedicated on St. Andrew's Day, 1987, by The Rt.
Rev. Clarence C. Pope, Bishop of the Diocese of Ft. Worth. The project was
lovingly designed under the guidance of Ouida Smith and Father Robinson.
The St. Elizabeth's Altar Guild,
a dedicated group who goes about its duties with love and devotion to our Lord,
has tended the altar of St. Andrew's throughout its history. Quiet and
unassuming, these women have been ever faithful to their tasks. In 1987, under
the direction of Mary Cym Jarrett, the Altar Guild purchased a new processional
cross, matching torches, an additional Sanctus bell of brass, and a
thurible and incense boat.
The Society of St. Francis was
created to coordinate and receive the giving of food, clothing, and money to
help the needy. Their outreach was designed to include expressions of
thanksgiving and prayer to those who are sick and shut-in.
Seeing a need
to serve those who live alone, Deacon Straight organized The Rebuilders. This
group was formed to give all people who have to cope with problems alone the
opportunity to share with others their problems and, through the commonalty of
an extended family, arrive at solutions.
Paula Burge resigned in
October, 1987, after fifteen years of dedicated service as chairman of the
Flower Guild, a group which was responsible for seeing that flowers were donated
and arranged on the Altar for every major service.
The organ was replaced in 1988
with a sixteen-rank Tracker Organ built in 1971 for Trinity Church in Irving by
Harvey and Zimmer. The new pipe organ was purchased from Trinity Church and
dedicated on October 23.
Father Robinson's emphasis on
evangelism prompted new growth, and attendance records reached levels higher
than at any time during the previous eleven years. When Father Robinson resigned
the 31st of October, 1988, to accept a position as Rector for Grace Church in
Monroe, Louisiana, the people of St. Andrew's knew replacing the highly
respected and capable pastor would not be easy. Father Robinson had brought
unity and a new sense of direction to the church. The search committee worked
diligently, and the Vestry soon called The Rev. Charles Hough from the Church of
the Good Shepherd in Granbury, Texas.
Father Hough, his wife Marilyn,
and their two children quickly found their way into the hearts of the
congregation. Father Hough officially joined St. Andrew's on 12 March, 1989. The
Rev. James P. Dewolfe had been our interim Rector, and he served us with
kindness and devotion. The congregation also bade farewell to Father Stanford at
the end of April, 1989, when he left St. Andrew's to become Vicar of the mission
parishes in Henrietta and Bowie. Father Bill Stanford had first come to St.
Andrew's in June, 1987, and was ordained in the church on 2 February, 1987.
To further enhance the musical
offerings of the congregation, a piano, owned and used by Phyllis Lyon's father,
was donated to the church as a memorial to him by Phyllis and Frank Lyon in
1989.
During this time the entire
Episcopal Church of America entered into a period of turmoil. Sensitive and
divisive social issues continued to divide otherwise amicable church members
throughout the country even more extensively than before. Should women be
admitted to the priesthood? Should avowed practicing homosexuals be ordained?
What is the role of the church in social and cultural questions of diversity?
What is the church's stand on abortion and on euthanasia? St. Andrew's, like all
Episcopal Churches and churches in many other denominations as well, felt the
strain of conflicting opinions, interpretations, and analyses--what was God's
will?
The spiritual leader of the
Diocese of Ft. Worth, Bishop Pope, saw as his mission steadfast adherence to the
beliefs and long- standing traditions of the church and to the Gospel. Through
the resolute leadership of Father Hough, the parishioners at St. Andrew's
remained faithful to the traditional history of the Church and to the spiritual
guidance provided to us through the Scripture.
The Evangelical Catholic Mission
(ECM) Synod convened in June, 1989, in Ft. Worth, and the Episcopal Synod of
America (ESA) was formed. ESA is a voluntary association of dioceses committed
to upholding evangelical faith and catholic order in the Episcopal Church and to
proclaiming and propagating this faith and order. Father Hough and the wardens
of St. Andrew's attended this event. Subsequently, the Vestry unanimously agreed
to affiliate St. Andrew's with the ESA.
On 2 July, 1989, Judy Smith
became organist/choirmaster for the parish, replacing Kay Coombs who had been at
St., Andrew's since 2 March, 1986. Ms. Coombs accepted a new position in
Vermont.
In July Father Straight left his
secular job to become full-time clergy. He continued to serve St. Andrew's as a
deacon and became more involved in fostering his substance abuse program. St.
Jude's Drug and Alcohol Ministry, Inc. was established by Father Straight, with
guidance from Ms. Barbara Hopson, to reach out to those with drug and/or alcohol
problems by providing step recovery programs.
Father Alan McGlauchlin came to
St. Andrew's as curate from the Diocese of Dallas in August, 1989. Father Mc's
enthusiasm and infectious good humor made him an instant success with the E. Y.
C. and with all areas of his church ministry. He was ordained to the priesthood
on January 25, 1990.
St. Andrew's School was the
first school in Grand Prairie, public or private, to receive a computer for its
students in 1990. In the spring Bishop Pope dedicated the addition of four new
classrooms and a music room to complete the school expansion program finished in
December, 1989.
Fr. McGlauchlin left. St.
Andrew's for St. Mark's in Arlington in June, 1991. He was immediately and
greatly missed.
The year 1991 was another busy
year for the choir under the outstanding music direction of Judy Smith. In the
spring the choir combined with the choir of Church of the Redeemer in Irving for
performances of Ralph Vaughn Williams' "Five Mystical Songs" at each church. It
was an exciting experience to augment the work of the choir by performing such a
challenging piece of music.
In 1992 there were 54 parishes
in the Diocese of Ft. Worth; and St. Andrew's, Grand Prairie, was in the top ten
in the size of its congregation. St. Andrew's remained in the Eastern Deanery.
Mrs. Sybil Vandermeer retired in
May, 1992, after twelve years of loyal service as a teacher at St. Andrew's
School.
A new bell tower became a
reality and was dedicated in May, 1992. Funding for the bell tower was received
anonymously in 1989. After much planning and construction, the bell began to be
rung daily as a call to worship.
Major personnel changes took
place in 1992. Father Straight received his own much-deserved parish, St.
Joseph's, Grand Prairie. Father Stanford returned to St. Andrew's and began once
again his loyal service by helping with the sick visitations, Sunday assistance,
EYC sponsorship, Boy Scouts, etc. The Episcopal Young Churchmen's group was
particularly active in parish and diocesan affairs with Marilyn Hough, Ken and
Carol Newton and many others assisting Fr. Stanford.
The highlight of 1992 musically
was the performance by the choir of Vivaldi's "Gloria" and Handel's "Hallelujah
Chorus" from the "Messiah" for the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. The choir, still
under Judy Smith's direction, was accompanied by a small orchestra composed of
professional musicians in the area. Mrs. Tina Hoffman expertly performed all of
the solos, both soprano and alto, and was joined by Michael Dyer, tenor, for the
duet.
On February 15, 1993, the Bingo
operation commenced for the benefit of St. Andrew's School. The license was
obtained through the tireless efforts of Bob Whiteside and Johnny Price.
In June, 1993, Scott Hurd
arrived at St. Andrew's as curate having graduated from Oxford University in
England. He came to the parish as a young, dedicated, soon-to-be priest with a
very deep spirituality. He was ordained at St. Andrew's on 15 August,1993.
Later that year, in October, the
Diocesan Convention chose The Rev. Jack Iker of Florida to be Bishop Coadjutor
of the Ft. Worth Diocese, thereby to become Bishop upon the retirement of Bishop
Pope. As President of the Diocesan Standing Committee, Father Hough was very
influential in the election of Bishop Iker.
The Outreach Ministry of St.
Francis Society began coordinating with the Grand Prairie Food and Clothing
Co-op. St. John's Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, had previously been the
recipient of the St. Andrew's volunteers, but they, too, began working with the
Co-op.
After eight years of service
Bud Henderson resigned as chairman and coordinator of the Texas Stadium Team.
The team, begun in 1982, brought in approximately $10,000.00 per year to St.
Andrew's. The teams, as there were now several, devoted a lot of time and effort
to this highly successful project. Bud was presented with an authentic "Jimmy
Johnson" Dallas Cowboys jacket for the great job he did. Alice and Paul Wayne
Ernst took over as chiefs of the teams, but under new ownership the stadium
offered less profit. It was finally decided that St. Andrew's most profitable
fundraising project should be abandoned.
Father Hough announced that he
was leaving St. Andrew's on December 31, 1993, to become Canon to the Ordinary,
Bishop Jack Iker, in the Diocese of Ft. Worth. Father Hough who emphasized the
centrality of Christ in our lives, who placed such importance on the development
of Christian education, and who led the parish through some of the troubling
times facing the national Episcopal Church would be greatly missed.
The Diocese sent Father Steve
Carter to serve as interim priest for a few months on 6 February, 1994. At this
time Father Stanford was helping Father Straight at St. Joseph's. When Father
Carter left in the spring, Father Hurd was alone as minister to St. Andrew's
until The Rev. Willis W. H. Poyser was called to be Rector and arrived in
August, 1994. Fr. Poyser's institution was on October 24, 1994. Father Hurd was
chosen to be the Rector of All Saint"s Church in Weatherford in November.
Shortly after Father Poyser
arrived, Jane Bellion, Headmistress of St. Andrew's School since 1979, resigned.
Ms. Bellion was in large measure responsible for the outstanding reputation of
the school in academic excellence and spiritual nurturing. Innovative in her
approach to learning, Ms. Bellion was lauded by students, teachers, parents, and
parishioners.
In April, 1995, Father Poyser
resigned. The Rev. Laurens Williams, longtime Rector of All Saint's in
Weatherford before his retirement, became interim priest. His kind attentiveness
to our parish was very much appreciated.
Five priests were in attendance
at St. Andrew's in late 1994-- early 1995: Father Steve Carter, Father Willis
Poyser, Father Laurens Williams, Father Bill Stanford, and Father Scott Hurd.
As music director Judy Smith said, "Each has enlightened and inspired us
in our worship."
Senior Warden Chris Rivera
stated, "1995 was a very difficult time for St. Andrew's, but many of us
continued to reflect on the positive views of parish life. Our strength lay in
the foundation of Christianity: the belief, worship, and evangelism of our Lord,
Jesus Christ. We must continue to faithfully renew our Christian commitment with
God'"
Throughout these difficult
times, the centripetal force that held all together was the ubiquitous office
manager, Laura Phipps. By divine guidance and hard work Laura kept up with all
the priests, consoled all the parishioners, and maintained her obligations to
the school. Laura first became church secretary and office manager in January,
1985; and she has met all challenges well during her eleven+ years as secretary.
Following the departure of Jane
Bellion, Dr, Dale Morris headed the school from August to December, 1994, When
he left, Judy Kuster, who had been the assistant to Ms, Bellion, served as
interim Head-of-School until July, 1996.
In 1994 the Vestry held a
long-range planning session to plan for the future of St. Andrew's Church and
School. The result, of the session was a three-phase plan for growth and
expansion of the church and the school. During 1994 St, Andrew's was able to
make significant progress toward the completion of the first phase. In the
summer of 1995 all of the property around St. Andrew's that had been identified
as necessary for future growth and expansion became available. By the grace of
God, these properties were offered at a more reasonable price than they were
once asking. Also, the "Bingo" savings account was at a level that made the
purchases possible, so the entire third of the block facing Hill St. on the
front and going through to College St. on the back belonged to the parish by the
beginning of 1996, the fiftieth year of St. Andrew's.
On II February, 1996, as the
Sunday closest to marking the exact time that the parish held its first worship
service in 1946, the congregation joined in a combined Eucharist of all services
to celebrate and remember this special occasion. The liturgy was the same as
used fifty years ago from the 1928 BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER The Mass was celebrated
by The Rev. Lauren Williams, Interim Rector, and The Rev. William Stanford,
Assistant. Former parishioners and priests were invited to join the parish
family, and many were in attendance that day and the coffee hour afterward to
help mark that joyous occasion with a special warmth. The 1996 Vestry included:
Louis (Chris) Rivera, Senior Warden; Robert Whiteside, Assistant Junior Warden;
Judy Brownlow; Marty Cox; Donna Damron Davis; James Hadlock; James Potthoff;
Carlyle Smith, Jr.; and Lloyd Smith.
God has always provided a bright
future for St. Andrew's Church and St. Andrew's School throughout its fifty
years. After much soul searching and prayer by the congregation and search
committee, The Rev. Robert Young from St. Clement's Church in Tampa, Florida,
was called to be the Rector of St. Andrew's. He joined the congregation in
April, 1996, and was instituted as the ninth Rector on September 14.
Participating in the service were The Rt. Rev. Jack Iker, 'Bishop of the Diocese
of Ft. Worth, Celebrant and Preacher; and The Rev. Canon Charles A. Hough, III,
and The Rev. Fredrick A. Robinson, both former rectors of St. Andrew's. An
uplifting spirit traveled through the parish as organizations were reinstituted;
and Bible study, adult education classes, and children’s education classes began
to thrive.
The school celebrated also when
Dr. Marjorie Cabe joined the staff as Head of School in August, 1996. Highly
qualified, Dr. Cabe's credentials included a bachelor's degree in history from
the University of Oklahoma, a master's degree in guidance and counseling from
Oklahoma University, and a doctorate in educational administration, as well as a
certification as a superintendent for grades K-12. The parish day school has
been one of St. Andrew's greatest outreach ministries and will continue into the
future.
Also through the years a strong
musical ministry has evolved that has had multiple outreach ties to the
community: notable among this group is Lorene Terrell, an outstanding musician,
communicant, and citizen. Lorene's musical presence was felt all the way from
Fr. Holliday's time through Fr. Hough's and Father Hurd's until her death in the
mid 1990's. St. Andrew's has been blessed with much musical talent: Lorene's
daughter and Father Pat Young's wife, Janet. Father Hargrove's wife, Linda,
Father Robinson's wife, Linda, and Father Holliday's mother, Verna. Others have
been noted throughout the history.
And now, on St. Andrew's Day,
November 30, 1996, let the celebration continue-and celebrate is exactly what
the parish will do! Under Judy Brownlow's capable chairmanship, the church will
have worship and feasting and, of course, the traditional bagpipes. A special
anthem has been commissioned, and Dallas composer Joel Martinson has written
"Jesus Calls Us" especially for the occasion.
The parishioners of St. Andrew's
look forward to the next fifty years for the glory of God in Grand Prairie,
Texas.
St. Andrew's Day 30 November,
1996
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