Houston Area to Unveil One of Its First Public Monuments Honoring Black Pioneers of America’s Space Program

In “the city NASA built,” a $125,000 monument four blocks from Johnson Space Center will honor the African American astronauts, scientists, engineers and civil rights leaders whose contributions changed history. Among them: former NASA Administrator Charles Bolden Jr., a longtime member of St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, where the monument will stand.

Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Nassau Bay Mayor Phil Johnson and Bishop C. Andrew Doyle, IX Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas are expected to participate.

Explore the stories behind EarthRise at the official monument website

The Houston area is about to fill a missing chapter in its own history. On Sunday, Aug. 16, a community built alongside America’s space program will unveil one of the Houston area’s first permanent public monuments honoring the African American astronauts, scientists, engineers and civil rights leaders whose contributions helped shape the nation’s achievements in space exploration. The monument carries a message that reflects both their collective legacy and the possibilities created through inclusion: “We Can Do More Together.”

EarthRise, a new public art installation at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Nassau Bay, will be dedicated at 11:15 a.m. and remain free and open to the public year-round. Located four blocks from Johnson Space Center and within walking distance of Space Center Houston, the monument honors eight pioneers whose accomplishments changed both NASA and the nation: Ed Dwight, Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., George Robert Carruthers, Ruth Bates Harris, NASA Astronaut Group 8, Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., Sunita Williams and Charles Bolden Jr.

The project represents an investment of more than $125,000, fully funded through the John and Joseph Talbot Fund of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Following an international design competition that attracted 23 submissions, Genesis Art Collaborative was selected in 2023 to design the installation.

“EarthRise reminds us that history is strongest when every story is told,” said the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, IX Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. “The discoveries, leadership, advocacy and service of these pioneers helped transform America’s space program, and recognizing their legacy reflects our commitment to truth, justice and the inherent dignity of every human being.”

The John and Joseph Talbot Fund Subcommittee of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Racial Justice Committee celebrated the completion and opening of EarthRise as a remarkable achievement.

“The Talbot Fund has been honored to underwrite this monument, which represents the collective partnership of the Episcopal churches of the Diocese of Texas, the communities of Nassau Bay and Houston, and NASA, as we work to heal from racism by charting a new course for the future.”

Together, the eight pioneers honored through EarthRise represent a broader story of courage, excellence and public service. Through their work in science, mathematics, medicine, engineering, leadership and advocacy, they helped advance the U.S. space program, expand who could participate and open pathways for generations who followed.

The monument could hardly stand anywhere else. Nassau Bay was developed in the early 1960s as a planned community for the astronauts, engineers and scientists arriving to work at the newly established Manned Spacecraft Center. Over the decades, it became home to many of the figures who defined the Space Age and earned the nickname “the city NASA built.”

St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church was founded in December 1964 to serve that growing community. Its congregation has included astronauts Jim Lovell, Charlie Duke, Frank Culbertson and Mike Foale, along with legendary flight director Chris Kraft Jr. For more than 60 years, the church’s parish day school has educated generations of children whose parents worked in the space program.

Among its longtime members was Charles Bolden Jr., who later became the first African American to serve as NASA Administrator. Before leading the agency, Bolden served two terms as Senior Warden at St. Thomas, volunteered in youth ministry, sang in the choir and carried the church’s communion paten aboard one of Space Shuttle Challenger’s successful missions.

“To be honored alongside these pioneers, in a community that has meant so much to my family and me, is deeply humbling,” Bolden said. “I hope every young person who visits EarthRise will be inspired by seeing that there are many paths into science, service and exploration.”