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One of the oldest Episcopal churches in Texas. An outgrowth of 1840s work in Caddo Lake area by the Rev. William Steel of Louisiana, and of appeals for priests made by Frances Cox Henderson (wife of the diplomat, Governor, U.S. Senator, J. Pinckney Henderson) to the church in the United States. Trinity parish was founded Jan. 4, 1851, with 22 members, by the Rev. Henry Sansom (1821-1903), who was rector 1851-55. Original membership included E. G. Benners, later a priest; also the Key family, who remain in parish a century later. Communicants have included Confederate Generals Benjamin Huger and Louis T. Wigfall, and 20th century jurist T. Whitfield Davidson. The Rev. Edwin A. Wagner (rector intermittently, 1859-75), the Rev. C. C. Kramer (1909-14), the Rev. C. S. Sargent (1914-21) and others built spiritual strength of the parish and advocated a permanent church edifice to replace successive early structures. Present church was built in 1926-26, when the Rev. Charles S. Monroe was rector. It was dedicated by Bishop Clinton S. Quin, July 25, 1926. Architect was J. W. Northrup, Jr., Houston. The Rev. Henry F. Selcer (1930-56) achieved record for longest service as rector. Parish in 1972 had 508 members. Its day school renders community service. |
