On Saturday, November 1, 2025, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will celebrate 150 years of ministry, community, and service to Lampasas. Founded in 1873, when the Rt. Rev. Alexander Gregg, first Bishop of Texas, licensed Dr. Thomas S. Denny as a lay reader, St. Mary’s officially became a mission of the Diocese of Texas in 1875. From these humble beginnings, the parish has grown into a vibrant congregation of 110 baptized members, carrying forward a legacy of worship, fellowship, and outreach.
In its earliest years, Lampasas faced the dangers and uncertainties of frontier life, including gunfights, floods, and economic hardship. Despite these challenges, the early Episcopalians gathered in private homes, schools, and shared spaces, laying the foundation for a permanent church that would become a spiritual and civic anchor in the town.
The life of St. Mary’s has long been intertwined with that of Lampasas itself. Many of its early leaders were also civic pioneers whose service helped shape the community. Dr. Thomas H. Haynie not only led the parish as Senior Warden and lay reader, but also served as Postmaster, County Commissioner, and Tax Assessor-Collector, roles that helped strengthen local governance and public trust. A.H. Barnes, a Civil War veteran and real estate developer, contributed land for the church’s construction, helping establish its lasting physical presence. W.T. Campbell, a newspaper editor, businessman, and one of the first directors of Texaco, was among others who brought prosperity and innovation to Lampasas while supporting the church’s growth. Through their leadership, St. Mary’s became not just a house of worship, but a source of stability, civic spirit, and community identity.
Today, St. Mary’s continues to welcome individuals and families under the leadership of its rector, the Rev. William Fowler, offering guidance, support, and outreach while standing as a historic landmark within the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
Join the bishop at St. Mary’s on November 1, 2025, at 11 a.m., to celebrate a century and a half of faithful ministry and the generations who have shaped this parish. The celebration will begin with a Morning Prayer, followed by the reading of official proclamations and a festive barbecue lunch. All are welcome to attend.
History based on the writing by Jane McMillin, Lampasas, Texas, March 2008. To learn more about the rich history of St. Mary’s and its impact on the community, click here: www.ourstmarys.org/clergy–staff/the-history-of-st-marys
