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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEarly Churches Panel Group 0416 July,1997 Oral History - Churches and Synagogues Moderator: Dorothy Dugger Interviewees: George Huebner, Leta Burgess, Robbie Clark, Betty Groce Transcriptionist: Sharla Beason GH: George Huebner, I was born in Bay City, Texas, on 22 of May, 1918, and I started A &M here out of High School in 1937. For the most part well, I lived here except for about 9 years, that I was out, you know, working industry, and I have been with St. Thomas Episcopal Church, every since then. DD: So that covered that one. Leta, do you want to give yours? LB: I'm Leta Burgess. I was born in Welch, Oklahoma, 1913, and came to College Station in 1947. In August it would have been 50 years, and I have walked to A &M Methodist Church ever since then. First Sunday we came to College Station. DD: Robby, do you want to give us yours? RC: Yes, I do DD: Your church history? RC: I was born in Wellborn, Texas on September 15, 1919. We moved to College Station on August 25, 1944. I've been here every since then. DD: What Church? RC: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. DD: OK, thank you. Betty would you like to give yours? BG: I'm Betty Groce, I was born in Bryan, Texas. I've been married 35 years to Reverend Lee Groce. Our church is Washington Chapel Baptist Church, but my home church is Shiloh Baptist Church in Bryan. I worked for Texas A &M for 27 years, my husband 40. We are retired, have 5 children... thank you. DD: We now will be asking some questions, and it is very important that when somebody talks, don't interrupt; because the tape recorder will mess up the transcription of getting this through. So here are the questions. So I'll start with Mister George, ha ha, sorry George. So this is all about can you explain how your church and synagogue began in this area? Can you go back to the beginning? GH: Yes actually earlier, before I start. DD: Maybe we will take your printing. GH: She has this, the whole thing. DD: OK, maybe we just won't question you then? GH: It's easier for them to read this DD: O.K. send your questions in since you have it all written down. GH: I'll put it in there if you want. DD: We'll do that afterwards. Leta, any history on your churches that you can give us? LB: Of course I was not here at the time it was organized As I understand the history, the story began on the campus, with a group of students. They had their meetings on campus; then they decided if maybe it would be wonderful if they could organize a church off campus. They wanted it mostly for the students, and that's the way it was organized at that time. I don't know the name of it. DD: You don't know where it was located at that time? Just on Campus? LB: Just on Campus. DD: How many times did it move locations and where? LB: It's only moved one time (where its present location is). DD: Do you know the present location? LB: On University, I don't know the name and number of DD: Was it once started as part of another church, that you know of? LB: No, no its always been A &M Methodist Church. DD: And you don't know how many people attended at that time, but it was students. LB: No, I don't . DD: The age group would have been students. How did they get there? Did they walk? ha! ha! 2 LB: They walked! Ha! Ha! She's right! DD: Do you have any idea how many of them came together? LB: No, I'm sorry, I don't. DD: How did they get from one town to the next? How do you explain, alternating holding services, with other churches or synagogues? This was a problem established when you were here in the church? Oh yes, yes. I don't guess you have experienced meeting in a brush arbor? LB: No. DD: You didn't have circuit riders/priest who traveled through the area preaching. Name the denominational pioneers in the area in communities such as Harvey, Wellborn, you don't know? LB: No. DD: Ha ha! We're getting through that pretty quick! What name changes did the congregation make over the years for your church or synagogue? LB: No names changed. DD: What day and times were services held? When do you go to service? LB: You mean on Sundays? DD: Well, all week, what other services do you have? LB: We have two services on Sundays, and in the beginning they would say where they had pray meeting on Wednesday. And then the students organized what we call the Wesley Foundation for Students. DD: Explain who built the early churches and where the supplies came from. Were you not here? LB: No DD: Were they a woodshed and outside privy when you came? Explain indebtedness of the church and how it was handled. Do you know? LB: No. 3 DD: Explain where Sunday School education was held. LB: Well at the time we came on Sunday all the Services were held in what we call the tabernacle, a wooden building, and all the services Sunday School and everything was held there. DD: Did you have any nursery facilities? LB: Not at that time. DD: Tell us about your church choir, how many members were there? LB: I sang in the Choir, there weren't many ha, ha. DD: ha, ha, ha, small. LB: It was small. Ha, ha, ha! I also played the organ at one time and then the young man that gave me lessons on the organ went over to the Episcopal church. Later George organist there I can not remember his name. GH: That doesn't ring a bell, there was so many of them. ha, ha. DD: Explain any singing Convention they attended. LB: I didn't attend any. DD: And you did the organ? LB: I wasn't the regular organist. DD: Oh. LB: I just filled in. DD: What was the piano like? What was the organ like? Was a pump organ used? LB: It was an electric organ. DD: O.K., tell us about the steeple on the church? Do you know anything about the history? LB: No, I don't. DD: Now, tell us about the bell, was it pulled by a rope? Tell us about the pews, were they hand sawed out of pine? You weren't here then. 4 LB: Pardon? DD: Ha, were they hand sawed out of pine? LB: ha, ha, no. DD: I guess you didn't use Kerosene lamps when you came! How was it cooled, was it by ceiling fans? LB: Pardon? DD: When you came was it cooled by ceiling fans? LB: yes, yes DD: Heated by butane or wood? LB: I'm not sure how it was heated DD: Oh, OK LB: I know we were always comfortable DD: Ha, tell us about funeral parlor advertisement fans that you fanned yourself with to keep cool. LB: ha, ha DD: Tell us about any stained glass windows. Do you have any stained glass windows or know anything about them? LB: I know Emma was responsible for the prism stained glass windows and she gave us a history on them. I don't know what ever happened to them. DD: Maybe in the church archives somewhere. What was the outside building made of? LB: At that time it was wood. DD: Was it white washed? LB: No. DD: It was painted. ha, ha! 5 LB: It was painted. DD: How was the maintenance of the building taken care of. Did individuals do it or did you have a Janitor? LB: We had a Janitor, yes. DD: Explain if the congregation was pastored or student pastors. LB: At the time we came? DD: Regular pastor? LB: We had a regular pastor. DD: Before that was it probable students did your own pastoring? LB: I'm not sure. DD: Tell us about elaborate ceremonies that were observed (ex. anniversary of the church, completion of a new building, church dedications) anything like that. Any special ceremony that you remember that you had since you were here? LB: I remember the service that we had when the new building was dedicated. DD: Well that's what they wanted to know. What can you tell us about. LB: I know the Bishop was here. They had a celebration that day; but I do not remember any of the details. DD: That would have been a brick church that you were in? LB: Yes. DD: Do you know what year? LB: It was 1950. Something in the early 50's DD: O.K. What were some early traditions of your congregation? Seating men on one side and women on the other. They did not do that that you know of? LB: No. 6 DD: Explain circumstances when your church was destroyed by fire, storm, or other. I guess you haven't had that experience. LB: No. DD: Tell us about how much your pastor was paid. Where did he live? About how old was he and did he even have a large family? Just tell us what you can about your pastor. LB: Well at the time I came our pastor was Jimmy Jackson. He was a young man, they had two children at that time, and there was a parsonage they have built right across the street from our synagogue. And that's were he lived. DD: Do you know anything about the annual budget of the church? LB: No, I do not know that. DD: Explain how the church met the social needs, as well as the religious needs of the community? Did y'all do anything for the community -- special, you know, to help people or anything out? LB: I'm sure we did, but, I don't remember. DD: Don't remember? LB: No. DD: Tell us about the fellowship hall, do you have a fellowship hall? LB: At the time we came it was the Synagogues. DD: You had one when you got your new church? LB: Oh, yes we have a fellowship hall now. DD: Explain any revivals you attended and where they were held, brush arbors, tents, baseball fields. How many weeks did they last? LB: We never had revivals. DD: Oh. LB: Not since I've been here. 7 DD: Tell us about prayer meetings. Anything special about the church yards, or do you have a cemetery located with it? LB: No. DD: Tell us about the Corps and A &M faculty attending your church. I am sure that you have lots of them as members now. LB: Oh, yes, in fact at that time most of the congregation seemed to be student and faculty. DD: Well the reason was that it was all that was here! DD: Explain what you know about religious services. Who met at the YMCA building on campus? LB: Well, that was before my time but I think that was where our church really organized first was at the YMCA. DD: It was at the "Y ", but that is about all you know about it? LB: Yes. DD: Were you here during World War II? I don't remember what year you came. LB: No. DD: Explain baptismal YMCA swimming pool, river baptismals, others. LB: No. DD Explain groundbreaking ceremonies for a new sanctuary. LB Well, I just remember there were some. DD We already covered that. OK. LB I don't remember any details. DD Thank you. Robbie, can I ask you questions now? RC Well, I can give you a little bit. DD OK, well lets answer and do the best we can. 8 RC OK. DD What was your first church or synagogue facility like? Your first church? RC My first church was located on Wellborn in 1929. It was Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. It's the same church. Been there all my life. DD What temporary facilities were services held in? Was it a church building at that time? RC We had a wooden building. DD O.K. RC And we had sticks on the windows to keep them open, there were not any fans. We had some kind of lights with gasoline. DD Oh, those gasoline lamps you pumped up and had mantels. RC That's right, that is what we had. GH Gas light. RC Yes, gas light. DD You said you were located on Wellborn. How many times did it move locations and where? RC Well, it moved to Wellborn, it moved from Copper Ridge to Wellborn. We were worshipping in a brush arbor at that time. DD Is it still at Wellborn? RC No, it's at College Station. DD When did it move to College Station? RC I don't know, I am trying to think I can get it for you. DD How many people attended? What age groups? RC We had all ages coming when we were at Wellborn. We had built three buildings. Three churches, we had. One of then burned with those gas lights. People went in the 1930's. People went to clean the church at night. 9 DD How did they travel to get there? RC Buggies and wagons and they walked. No cars, we didn't have them. DD Were there dirt and gravel roads? RC Dirt. DD How many approximately how many people came together then? RC About 75 or more. DD How did you get from one town to the next? RC Wagon. DD Wagon. RC Train, catch the train, we still have that same train track. DD Did ya'll hold all ya'll's services there? Did anyone else hold services at your church? RC No. DD OK RC The school did, though; the school of Wellborn. DD Any other things held at your church? RC No. DD How many times a month did your church meet? RC Two times a month, but we had Sunday School every Sunday. DD Explain experiences of meeting in a brush arbor. RC They let me know that was before my time. 1896. DD OK RC But they tell me everyone had a good time 10 DD Did you have a circuit rider preacher or was there an original preacher? RC Regular pastor. He was called in 1910, if I have my history right. DD Well that was Wellborn so we got that. Well, she already told us. What name changes did the congregation make over the years for your church? RC None. DD What times, what days and times were services held? We have already done that one. Explain who built the early churches and where the supplies came from. Do you know? RC I sure don't. DD Was there a woodshed or outside outhouse privy? RC Woodshed outside. DD Pretty uh, ha ha ha too pretty, go ahead. RC My grandparents built a little cafeteria on down the side of our (inaudible) DD That was interesting. RC It was just a shack. DD Explain indebtedness of the church and how it was handled. Do you know of that? RC Yes, they paid 50 cents of one dollar...(inaudible) DD Explain how Sunday School education was held. RC They had some of the best Bible teaching. They lived what they taught. DD They had it every Sunday? RC Every Sunday. 11 DD Did your church sponsor a mission Sunday School or bible classes? RC Yes we did. We had it the Sundays that we didn't have preachers. We had Sunday School all the time. DD Where did the children meet for Sunday School? RC In the same building, just back further. We would be together before. DD Did you have a nursery facility? RC No. DD You put your sleepy kids on a pallet? RC That's right! DD Ha ha ha. RC We put the little bitty things on the back seats. DD I had a feeling you attended some singing conventions. RC Yes I did. DD All over? RC All over Texas. DD OK. What was the piano or organ like? RC We had both. DD It was a pump organ? RC No, just a regular organ. DD Did you have a steeple on the church? RC Yes we did. DD Did you have a bell ringing or anything? RC We had a bell in the old church. 12 DD Was it a pull bell in the old church? RC Yes. DD Was the bell tolled for deaths or anything like that? RC Yes. DD For any matter of importance? RC Yes, for any matter of importance. DD You didn't have an extra -fancy steeple on the church? RC No, just a regular one -- wasn't fancy. DD Tell us about the pews, were they hand sawed out of pine? RC Yes. DD What was used for funeral parlor fans? RC Hand held fans. DD Any stained glass windows? RC We had one for sure. DD What was the building made of? RC Wood. DD Was it painted or white - washed? RC White- washed, no it was painted. DD Painted. How was maintenance taken care of? Did you have a janitor or did members take care of it? RC The members. DD Did you have a regular pastor? RC Yes. 13 DD Tell us about elaborate ceremonies that were observed (anniversaries, new buildings, dedications, anything like that)? RC Yes, we had all those. DD Tell us all you know about that, any details? RC A community financed loan built our church. It took us 6 -7 years to pay. He said they didn't make any money off of it. We had our own baptisms. My brother was a minister DD Did your pastor have a parsonage? RC No, he drove from Benchley, Texas. DD What was the annual budget of the church? RC I don't know that. DD How did the church meet social needs as well as religious needs? RC Yes, we did community service, we still do. DD Tell us about the fellowship hall. RC We don't have one. I had 9 children. All belonged to the church. My daughter died and I have 8 sons now. I have 3 ministers. One is my pastor right here at this church. DD Did you have Corps or A &M faculty attending the church? RC No, we didn't. DD Explain groundbreaking ceremonies for new sanctuaries. RC We had them, but I can't remember right off DD You might want to bring some of that information up here. RC I'll do that. DD Tell us about the churchyard. Did you have a place to picnic? RC Yes. 14 DD Do you have anything connected to the church about a cemetery or anything? RC Yes, we have a cemetery at Wellborn. DD Who could be buried there, just members? RC No, people at Wellborn and friends. DD Explain your baptism. RC We had one, we used a tank. DD Betty, do you just want to talk through this, you can probably talk through it, since you are a minister's wife, better than I can ask questions. BG Well, I brought pictures of my first church -- Shilloh Baptist Church. Organized in 1864 and still going. Here's the history, everything is here. 15 Original St.Thomas Chapel nearing completion (August, 1938). A Brief History of St. Thomas Episcopal Church College Station, Texas George L. Huebner During the month of September, 1938, fifty -nine years ago, the original Saint Thomas' Chapel was dedicated to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to students and residents of this area. The first service in the original Chapel was performed at the beginning of the semester in September and a formal dedication was held on September 23, 1938. In a sense, the history of St. Thomas' Church goes back to the founding of Texas A &M University, for St. Thomas in a very real sense grew out of the activities of the Episcopal students at Texas A &M, long before the City of College Station existed. From the beginning, religious chapel services were held on the A &M campus and, in the early 1920's, the various denominations had services in separate groups -- usually as clubs. One such religious group was the Episcopalian Club, which flourished in the 20s and from which ultimately St. Thomas' Church was brought into being. Of the several Rectors at Saint Andrew's in Bryan who gave special help to Episcopal students at Texas A &M before 1920, was The Rev. Randolph Ray, who later became Rector of "The Little Church Around the Corner" (Church of the Transfiguration) in New York City. The history of St. Thomas' Church, is a happy story of people from outside College Station helping the Episcopal students conduct services and assisting in the organizing of the church when the time seemed appropriate. In the time before St. Thomas' Chapel was built, many Episcopal clergy from Bryan as well as the whole of Texas, contributed time and great efforts to raise money and to encourage the founding of a church. The Rector in Rockdale, The Rev. J. P., Love, had raised $4,000 to help build a church for, as he called them, the "Heathen Aggies." Originally, the Diocese of Texas owned a building lot in what is known as the North Gate area and planned to build a church on this site. It was a valuable lot, in that sense, but had a very limited space. The chapel would have been squeezed, rather tightly, on this piece of ground. The Rev. Roscoe C. Hauser, the first Vicar, assigned to this area by the Bishop of Texas, the Rt. Rev. Clinton S. Quinn, learned through friends, principally Col. Ike Ashburn, that Texas A &M 1 College was planning twelve new dormitories and a mess hall in the southern part of the campus. Adjacent to this and across Jersey Street (now George Bush) was a rather rugged area in which one could find cattle barns, horses, etc. Inasmuch as one half of the student body was to be housed in these "new dorms," things looked brighter in that area. As a consequence, the lot at the North Gate was sold, in 1936,to A. M. Waldrop and the proceeds were used to purchase lots from Miss. Anna Versa Smith, the Postmistress of College Station. Enough land was purchased to enable the construction of a small chapel and later, a house. With the sale of the original lot and purchase of this new property , the Diocese of Texas made nearly three thousand dollars. This, with the addition of the $4,000 from The Rev. Love of Cameron and Rockdale, provided approximately seven thousand dollars toward the construction of a chapel at Texas A &M.The Diocese decided to borrow additional funds to construct the chapel. At that time, Mr. Ernest Langford was a professor in the Architecture Department and used the design of this chapel as a Senior Class project. They were to draw plans for an English Country Side Chapel, since it was felt that type was best for the setting. They came up with plans for a beautiful chapel, with ideas for the interior finish, etc. It was decided to build according to these plans and the chapel was finished in August, 1938, at a total cost of $11,463.48. It was obvious that improvements were needed for the grounds around the new chapel. Weeds and bare dirt were very much in evidence. Texas A &M was experimenting with a new grass and they offered to plant the area around the chapel and see how well it grew. This new grass was being called St. Augustine! The story of St. Thomas' Church is the story of many groups - -the main congregation attending prayer services and communion; the Sunday School, which began in 1940; the activities of the women's groups, which also began early in our history; the formation of a choir; the Canterbury Club activities, to which the students ultimately transferred most of their energies; and in later years some men's groups; the Boy Scout troops sponsored by the Church; the Early Learning Center and the activities of the teenagers in their special groups. All of these, and probably more, make up the history of Saint Thomas Church. Looked at in another way, the history is the story of many devoted people - -- 2 Vicars, Rectors and Chaplains, Sunday School superintendents, teachers, choir directors, vestrymen, senior and junior wardens, altar guild members, educational directors, and many many members of the congregation who have no other special name than "communicant." In 1938 Fr. Hauser was renting a house for his family at a cost of $25 per month. He asked the bishop for permission to buy a house and put it next to St. Thomas' Chapel. The bishop told him that he could do so if the house could be "paid off' at a rate of no more than $25 per month. In late 1940 Fr. Hauser went looking. He saw a house being built in what was then the far south end of College Station. He stopped and asked the contractor if he could build one like it and be paid at the rate of $25 dollars per month. He was told that it could be done. That is the way in which the former parsonage, "known as the White House" was built and used as such until 1955. St. Thomas became officially a Mission Congregation in January 1941. Our parish hall was built in 1948 and continues in use, with some improvements, until this time. A recent major improvement in the parish hall is the addition of a new pitched roof that replaces the original flat roof. A flat roof usually leaks! An adjoining classroom building was built in 1950 and enlarged in 1965 and 1970. An important step taken in 1950 was the purchase of 150 feet of frontage to the west of the original purchase and, in 1959 additional adjoining land was purchased for parking. As is usual for a new church, the original musical instrument was a piano. This was followed by a small electronic organ that served for several years. A Pilcher Opus No. 1503 pipe organ was received as a gift from Frederick Johnson of Austin, and installed in 1962 and 1963 by the Rector, William R. Oxley and Goerge Huebner. This organ continues in use today for services in the original Saint Thomas Church. Another development of significance was taking place at St. Thomas during 1964. In June the vestry discussed the establishment of a day school at St. Thomas. Fr. Oxley reported that Mrs. Mary Bassett indicated an interest in such a program and as a result, such a school was opened in September with Fr. Oxley as headmaster, one teacher and twelve kindergarten pupils. The day school has 3 become an important part of the Parish life. During the school year of 1996 -7, the school had a total enrollment of 138 with 21 teachers and aids and covered pre- kindergarten through the first grade. The headmistress of the school is Valerie Woodcock and the headmaster is The Rev. Ben Aurand. In 1977, an acre of ground with a two -story house was purchased from the estate of Dr. Silvey, former head of the Physics Department of Texas A &M. It is being used primarily for the day school, now known as the Early Learning Center. As was mentioned, the first priest assigned to the Mission Congregation was The Rev. Roscoe C. Hauser, Jr., who was Vicar from 1937 until October, 1942, at which time he left to serve as Chaplain in the armed services. He died this year in Fayetteville, N.C. but was with us during our 50th anniversary celebration in 1988. Following this period, The Rev. Hugh Farrell was appointed Vicar of St. Thomas Mission on November 12, 1942. Fr. Farrell continued until The Rev. Orin G. Helvey was demobilized. Mr. Helvey was appointed Vicar on October 15, 1945 and continued until his assumption of duties at St. Andrew's in Bryan in 1950. At the beginning of Mr. Helvey's term, the student body at Texas A &M numbered approximately 2,500. At the end of one year the number had grown to 8,651. The Rev. Robert Darwall, a former navy frogman, became Vicar in 1951 and served until 1957, at which time he became Assistant Rector at St. Luke's Church in San Antonio. During his tenure, St. Thomas' Mission became a fully self - supporting Parish in 1957. The Rev. William R. Oxley became Rector of St. Thomas on February 1,1958, and served in that capacity until his death on September 13, 1987. St. Thomas was fortunate to have had the services of The Rev. Jack Desel, a former Aggie, who served as Interim Rector until The Rev. Ben K. Aurand assumed the post of Rector of Saint Thomas' Church in May, 1988. Work with the student body of Texas A &M University has always been of prime importance to the Diocese of Texas. Chaplains are provided by the Diocese and the early Chaplain's house was provided on land adjacent to the original Vicarage. In 1960, a new Chaplain's house was provided by the Diocese. In addition to a house for the chaplain, it became apparent that there was a need for a center of instruction and worship centering around student life. With this need came gifts and support by the Diocese. As a result the present Canterbury House and Student Center was dedicated in 1975. Over one -half of the cost was 4 provided by the Diocese of Texas, the rest by many gifts, such as being made an item in St.Thomas' budget. In 1951, the first Canterbury Chaplain, The Rev. Dr. Lawrence L. Brown, was assigned to assist the Vicar, Orin G. Helvey, at St. Thomas. The second Chaplain, The Rev. Roger H. Cilley, served from 1956 until 1958, at which time be was selected by a church in Angleton, Texas. Later he was elected Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of Texas. St. Thomas' Church and the Canterbury House have been home to multitudes of students and over 1900 communicants, served by four Vicars, three Rectors, and ten Canterbury Chaplains assigned by the Diocese of Texas. In addition to The Rev. Dr. Brown and The Rev. Cilley, the Canterbury position has been filled by The Rev. Earl P. Martin, W. Alfred Johnson, James, T. Moore, Wesley Seeliger, Steven Sellers, J. Mark Wilburn , Larry Benfield, Mary Green and, at this time, by The Rev. Mark Crawford. Inasmuch as the original Saint Thomas Church was designed to seat approxi- mately 90 people, it was, at times, a little tight!. For many years, thoughts turned to enlarging or building another church building. With the type of architecture employed in the original church, enlargement was impossible without destroying completely the original design. Three attempts at designs for enlarging or construction of a new church were made before 1980. In March, 1989, under The Rev. Ben Aurand, the Vestry of Saint Thomas authorized the formation of a Strategic Planning Group that was charged by the Vestry with investigative and planning duties for our parish. This group was not designed to form policy as that duty is entirely within the province of the Vestry. The committee did, however, make recommendations that were based on considered study and, with the advice and consent of the Vestry, assisted in the implementation of such decisions. The membership of this group consisted of George Huebner, Chair; David Woodcock, Toby Brewster, Hays Glover, III, and Fr. Benjamin Aurand. Being purposely small the group enlisted easily the assistance of outside professionals to assist in making knowledgeable recommendations to the Vestry. Over a period of a year, the Strategic Planning Group studied the situation at Saint Thomas, its growth potential, needs for community service, and needs of 5 the congregation. It was concluded that the facilities could and should be upgraded. The parishioners at the Annual Meeting of January 21, 1990, accepted the recommendation that a phased development be made. The order of development included, 1) a new Sanctuary, enhanced parking facilities, new Sunday School and Early Learning Center Facilities, and 2) renovation and expansion of our Parish Hall, social facilities, additional office space and two new classroom buildings similar to the first. This development necessitated the addition of subcommittees of Building and Finance. Well qualified personnel included on the Building Committee were David Woodcock as chair, Ward Wells, Toby Brewster, Aimee Allen and Jim Rollins. The Finance Committee consisted of Hays Glover, III, Chair, Charles Zipp, and William Botts. Fr. Aurand served on each of these committees. Rather extensive interviews resulted in a recommendation that the Vestry employ Mr. Chartier Newton, FAIA (another Aggie ex.) of Jepson, Inc., Austin, Texas, as our architect. The Vestry concurred with this selection and during April of 1990, entered into contract with this firm. After a review of answers to an extensive questionnaire addressed to every member of the congregation 12 years of age and over, Mr. Newton produced several Preliminary Site Plans and discussed each during meetings of the congregation. To finance this endeavor, The Strategic Planning Group, along with our Finance Committee, recommended to the Vestry that we utilize professional services to direct our funding operations. The Church Fund - Raising Services, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado, was recommended by the Planning Group. The Vestry concurred with this recommendation and entered into a working relationship with this company. At the end of 1990 the church had pledges amounting to over $735,000. The central purpose of this effort was to increase the numbers of people who could worship at each service. Provision for a church that could seat 250 people, was the first priority. To facilitate this expansion the Vestry agreed to purchase the land immediately south and adjacent to the Parish Hall. This purchase gave Saint Thomas a complete rectangle of land with the needed space. The order of construction came to be, 1) new Sanctuary, parking facilities, and the first of three new classroom buildings; 2) completion of two additional classroom facilities; renovation of our Parish Hall with the addition of offices, 6 meeting rooms, and new kitchen facilities; removal of the old school building adjacent to the Parish Hall, and the building of a bell tower. It was estimated that the total amount needed to accomplish these items would be approximately $1.8 million dollars. After reviewing bids for construction, the firm of J. H. W. General Contractors was selected for this project. We are pleased with the workmanship and the relationship with this firm has been excellent. The new Sanctuary, parking facilities, the first of three classrooms plus the addition of a new pitched roof for the Parish Hall have been completed. The new Sanctuary was constructed adjacent to and between the original Saint Thomas and the Canterbury Building. Inasmuch as it was a unanimous opinion of the parishioners that nothing should be done to the original church, it can be seen that the east wall of the new Sanctuary is one wall of the original church. That is about as close as one can get! An important addition to the new church is a new pipe organ with nine stops, and 550 pipes. This instrument was manufactured by Visser - Rowland of Houston and is intended as an interim instrument until funding reaches a suitable level. With the completion of Phase One, we, on September 11, 1994, Dedicated and Consecrated, to the Glory of God, our new church on the 56th Anniversary Month of Saint Thomas. We shall accomplish, to a greater degree, our motto of, To Know God and to Make Him Known. Portions from The First Fifty Years By George Huebner • 1 'L CAt 1443 7-7444# tr \ 0 "cria t +r i?tftr z U the tuuzixL, -atttd prearlt tIrr Gus din rt 7 rt- cttttx !Eh Crrf ffjs, That Brother_ - - - .` - - -- • PREACHER'S LICENSE. 1 of the of highest esteem bp us. Believin Ministry, we do herebp give h ment of gifts bp preaching t We prate the Great head of the 0"4 crown his labors with abundant success. Done bp order of the Church, this the..i 3 dap of 4 J24) 4 ) ktieti Church Clerk NATIONAL BAPTIST PUBLISHING BOARD. NASHVILLE. TENN - - Baptist Church of Being in good and regular standing, he is held in the _-, a 's e� r A� e God to the work of the Gospel {4 B(BLE approbation in the improve - e map afford him opportunity. urc ° wi 1 ei s of "` im with all needful grace and Pastol G' -f qtr r4;-) PRE'ACHER'S LICENSE. NATIONAL BAPTIST PUBLISHING HOARD. NASHVILLE. TENN. iII _ -.._ W0011, inlet 11 -+ Eros Q That Brother_ of the "..,,.a ' - '• of .4.. Being in good and regular standing, he is held in the etmat A Baptist Church of ,L highest esteem bp us. Believing he has been called of God to the work of the Gospel Ministrp, we do hereby give him.our entire and cordial approbation in the improve- ment of his gifts bp preaching the Gospel as Provide "` e map afford him opportunity. We pray the Great head of the Church will endow him with all needful grace and crown his labors with abundant success. Done bp order of the Church, this the../ 3 dap of - ► 19 4: •3 LL -� tom. 3 4 t Church Clerk Lvcat'.l'P." is a member -1- 4 State Pastor Certiffcate of Ordination i`r Tttt r all iii t5hls Certifies, That Brother we�rre� repre ented in the Council bp.. -.. 3j was publiclp ordained and f`' set apart to the work of the Gospel Ministry, with praper and the Taping on of hands by the Ministers, according to the usages of the Baptist Churches, on ;� That he was called to ordination by the was a member, and which, after full 0nd" sufficienKo oftu t© jud opinion that he was called of God to the work of °the Ministry; That_ Ministers and lapmen; and that after a fu17,' fair and deliberate examination, bein satisfied on all points, the Council did unanimously recommend his Ordination. That our Brother did accordingly receive the full, entire and hearth approbation of the Council in his officially entering up- on the work of the Ministry, administering the ordinances of the Gospel. and performing all those duties and enjoying all those privileges to which a Minister of Christ is called. And may the blessing of the Great Head of the Church attend him, crown his labors with abundant success, and make him an honored instrument of good to Zion and the world. IATIONAL BAPT16 PUEI ISHiNG GOAFO, NASHVILLE, TENN Clerk Lo. r V V - - � Baptist Churches 2 19. i4 Baptist Church, of which he of izirifts, ere,.agreed in the Moderator Chis Certifies, That Brother_ • was publicly ordained and set apart to the work of the Gospel Ministry, with praper and the laving on of hands by the Ministers, according to the usages of the Baptist Churches, on . .(1 // Baptist Church, of which he were repre ented in the Council bp..... ..- ", ATIONAL B4PT16 PU0_ISHfNG NOGRO. NA9HVILLF_, TENN Certificate of Ordination into all thy .Lltz31 il� Muni pry alit i_he That he was called to ordination bp the was a member, and which, after full ta tr ' suf n f iopportil t o ju of hi gifts, tpre�.agreed in the of God to � " opinion that he was called o work o the 'iilznrstr Th at. _,. ._.�,... 1 Baptist Churches Ministers and laymen; and that after a ful', fair and deliberate examination, bein satisfied on all points, the Council did unanimously recommend his Ordination. That our Brother • did accordingly receive the full, entire and heartp approbation of the Council in his officially entering up- on the work of the Ministry, administering the ordinances of the Gospel. and performing all those duties and enjoying all those privileges to which a Minister of Christ is called. And may the blessing of the Great Head of the Church attend him, crown his labors with abundant success, and make him an honored instrument of good to Zion and the world. Clerk s arks: Memory Lane: City of College Station Memory Lanes Oral History p - Ject Oral History Stage Sheet Churches Name Robbie Clark Interview No Interviewer Interview date 16 i> Interview Place Conf. Ctr Interview length Special sources of information Date tape received in office Original Photographs Yes No # o # of tapes marked Date of photos Date Recd Describe Photos Interview Agreement and tape disposal form :: Given to interviewee on Date Signed Received Yes Transcription: Restrictions- If yes, see remarks below: Yes First typing completed by First audit check by (name) Date Sent to interviewee on I I Cj eel Received from interviewee on Copy editing and second audit check by (name) Pages Pages Pages Date Pages Date Final copies: Typed by Proofread by: 1) Pages 2; Pages Photos out for reproduction: Where to: Original photos returned to: Indexed by: Sent to bindery by Date Received from bindery Date Deposited in archives by: Date Date Date: Date: Date — Date Date No No emarks: Memory Lane: Final copies: Typed by City of College Station Memory Lanes Oral History Project First audit check by Oral. History Stage Sheet Churches Leta Burgess Interview No. Name Interview date 7/16/ Interviewer Interview length Interview Place Conf. Ct r . Special sources of information Date tape received in office # of tapes marked Date Original Photographs Yes No # of photos Date Rec'd Describe Photos interview Agreement and tape disposal form: Given to interviewee on Received Yes No Date Signed Restrictions - If yes, see remarks below. Yes No Transcription: First typing completed by Pages Date (name) Sent to interviewee on Received from interviewee on Copy editing and second audit check by 1 5 tame) (name) Pages Date Pages Pages Date Proofread by: 1) Pages 2) Pages Photos out for reproduction: Where to: Date: Original photos returned to: Date: Indexed by: Date Sent to bindery by Date Received from bindery Date Deposited in archives by: Date Date Date Date arks: Memory Lane: City of College Station Memory .Lanes Oral History Project J t Oral History Stage Sheet Churches George Huebner lntervie /y Intery ame iewer Interview date / et Name Interview Place Con f . Ct r . Interview length Special sources of information Date tape received in office Original Photographs Yes No # tapes marked Date Describe Photos # of photos Date Recd Interview Agreement and tape disposal form: Given to interviewee on Received Date Signed Restrictions - If yes, see remarks Yes Transcription: below. Yes First typing completed by First audit check by (name) Sent to interviewee on Received from interviewee on Copy editing and second audit check by Final copies: Typed by Proofread by: 1) n ( I (tame) (name) Pages Pages Pages Pages Pages Date Date Date Date __2) Pages Date Photos out for reproduction: Where to: Date: Original photos returned to: Date: Indexed by: Sent to binplery by Date Received from bindery Date Deposited in archives by: Date Date No No arks: Memory Lane: City of College Station Memory Lanes Oral History Proj Oral History Stage Sheet Churches Name Betty Groce Interview N �. � Interviewer Interview date / 1 Interview Place Conf. Ctr. Interview length Special sources of information Date tape received in office # of tapes marked Original Photographs Yes No Date Describe Photos # of photos Date Recd Interview Agreement and tape disposal form: Given to interviewee on Received Date Signed Restrictions - N yes, see remarks below. Yes Yes First typing completed by Pages First audit check by Sent to interviewee on Received from interviewee on Copy editing and second audit check by Pages Final copies: Typed by Proofread by: (name) Pages (n _ (name) Pages Date Pages Date Pages Date Date: Date: Photos out for reproduction: Where to: Original photos returned to: Indexed by: Sent to bin fiery by Date Received from bindery Date Deposited in archives by: Date Date Date Date Date No No List of photos. documents. mans. etc. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE City of College Station, Texas 77840 ORAL HISTORY DATA SHEET I hereby give and grant to the HLSTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE, City of College Station, Texas, for whatever purposes may be determined, the tape recordings, transcriptions, and contents of this oral history interview. Also, permission is hereby given for any duplications of original photos, documents, maps, etc. useful to the history project to _be returned unharmed. Interviewee releases, relinquishes and discharges CITY, its officers, agents and employees, from all claims, demands, and causes of action of every kind and character, including the cost of defense thereof, for any injury to, including the cost of defense thereof for any injury to, including death of, any person, whether that person be a third person, Interviewee, or an employee of either of the parties hereto, and any loss of or damage to property, whether the same be that either of the parties hereto or of third parties, caused by or alleged to be caused by, arising out of, or in connection with Interviewee provision of historical information, whether or not said claims, demands and causes of action in whole or in part are covered by insurance. Interviewer (Please Print) Signature of Interviewer Place of Interview Interviewee (Please print) Signature of Interviewee Name Add . 4% Telephone (J/ Date of Birth Place of Birth INTERVIEW STATUS: Completed In progress ka!k, /leg s Interviewee agrees to and shall indemnify and hold harmless CITY, its officers, agents and employees, from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, causes of action, suits and liability of every kind, attorney's fees, for injury to or death of any person, or for damage to any property, arising out of or in connection with the use of the items and information referenced aboved by CITY, its agents, representatives, assigns, invitees, and participants under this grant. Such indemnity shall apply where the claims, losses damages, causes of action, suits or liability arise in whole or in part from the negligence of city. Jv Date EE- 1 Initial N7 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE City of College Station, Texas 77840 ORAL HISTORY DATA SHEET I hereby give and grant to the HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE, City of College Station, Texas, for whatever purposes may be determined, the tape recordings, transcriptions, and contents of this oral history interview. Also, permission is hereby given for any duplications of original photos, documents, maps, etc. useful to the history project to Je returned unharmed. Interviewee releases, relinquishes and discharges CITY, its officers, agents and employees, from all claims, demands, and causes of action of every kind and character, including the cost of defense thereof, for any injury to, including the cost of defense thereof for any injury to, including death of, any person, whether that person be a third person, Interviewee, or an employee of either of the parties hereto, and any loss of or damage to property, whether the same be that either of the parties hereto or of third parties, caused by or alleged to be caused by, arising out of, or in connection with Interviewee provision of historical information, whether or not said claims, demands and causes of action in whole or in part are covered by insurance. , GI� SS' Interviewee (Please print) Si tune of Interviewee Interviewer (Please Print) Signature of Interviewer Place of Interview List of photos. documents. mans. etc. Name 390 - /? -9 Address ,J 77do - Telephbne Date of Birth 5 '9- / 3 Place of Birth /j) L /f 6 k L 4, INTERVIEW STATUS: Completed In progress Interviewee agrees to and shall indemnify and hold harmless CITY, its officers, agents and employees, from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, causes of action, suits and liability of every kind, attorney's fees, for injury to or death of any person, or for damage to any property, arising out of or in connection with the use of the items and information referenced aboved by CITY, its agents, representatives, assigns, invitees, and participants under this grant. Such indemnity shall apply where the claims, losses damages, causes of action, suits or liability arise in whole or in part from the negligence of city. 7 -//_q7 Date Initial I hereby give and grant to the HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE, City of College Station, Texas, for whatever purposes may be determined, the tape recordings, transcriptions, and contents of this oral history interview. Also, permission is hereby given for any duplications of original photos, documents, maps, etc. useful to the history project to le returned unharmed. Interviewee releases, relinquishes and discharges CITY, its officers, agents and employees, from all claims, demands, and causes of action of every kind and character, including the cost of defense thereof, for any injury to, including the cost of defense thereof for any injury to, including death of, any person, whether that person be a third person, Interviewee, or an employee of either of the parties hereto, and any loss of or damage to property, whether the same be that either of the parties hereto or of third parties, caused by or alleged to be caused by, arising out of, or in connection with Interviewee provision of historical information, whether or not said claims, demands and causes of action in whole or in part are covered by insurance. _ r , Interview a (Pl a e prin Signa ure of Interviewee Interviewer (Please Print) Signature of Interviewer Place of Interview List of nhotos. documents. mans. etc. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE City of College Station, Texas 77840 ORAL HISTORY DATA SHEET Name Address Telephone Date of Birth 14.'6 9 Place of Birth 9 /y - 1 INTERVIEW STATUS: Completed Interviewee agrees to and shall indemnify and hold harmless CITY, its officers, agents and employees, from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, causes of action, suits and liability of every kind, attorney's fees, for injury to or death of any person, or for damage to any property, arising out of or in connection with the use of the items and information referenced aboved by CITY, its agents, representatives, assigns, invitees, and participants under this grant. Such indemnity shall apply where the claims, losses damages, causes of action, suits or liability arise in whole or in part from the negligence of city. Date Initial In progress City of College Station Memory Lanes Oral History Project This is I'm interviewing for the Miss, Ms., Dr., Etc.) This interview is taking place in Room Today is /,6 (month) (day) (year) time (Mr., Mrs., / O / of The (cif -P if t at 1300 George Bush Dr. College Station , Texas . This interview is sponsored by the Historic Preservation Committee and the Conference Center Advisory Committee of the City of College Station. Texas. It is part of the Memory Lane Oral History Project. Have each person introduce themselves so their voice is identifiable on the tape recorder. with The City of College Station, Texas Memory Lanes Oral History Project INTERVIEW AGREEMENT 7. I have read the above and voluntarily offer my portion of the interviews (Name of Interviewee) 8. 1. cm- h 4•(_oecsc P `y_- \A `1►.rn,er 5. 6. The purpose of The Historic Preservation Committee is to gather and preserve historical documents by means of the tape- recorded interview. Tape recordings and transcripts resulting from such interviews become part of the archives of The City of College Station Historic Preservation Committee and Conference Center Advisory Committee to be used for whatever purposes may be determined. 9. 10. 11. 12. In view of the scholarly value of this research material, I hereby assign rights, title, and interest pertaining to it to The City of College Station Historic Preservation Committee and Conference Center Advisory Committee. Interviewer (signature) Date Interviewer (Please Print)