Our History

In the early days of The Woodlands, George Mitchell, an Episcopalian from Houston, encouraged the then Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, Milton Richardson, to charter a church plant in Grogan's Mill, the first Woodlands developed village. The bishop selected Fr. Robert Gibson, then Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, to lead the mission. A vicarage was purchased on Crossvine Circle in 1976. Fr Gibson and family moved in and the work began by contacting many local Episcopalians, the early Woodlands settlers.

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The Early Years

Thus in 1974-1975 Trinity Episcopal Church started literally from scratch, with a congregation of just a few souls dedicated to building a new church home. Trinity held its first service on Thanksgiving, 1976, was formally organized as a Mission in December and was accepted as a Mission of the Diocese of Texas in January 1977. A year later, there were approximately 100 people on the rolls. Trinity offered two services on a Sunday. Of the four active congregations in The Woodlands in September 1977, Trinity Episcopal Church was the second. The Baptists were the first. Trinity’s small chapel, 60’ x 35’ was constructed in The Wharf Shopping Mall in Grogan’s Mill under the leadership and guidance of The Rev. Robert T. Gibson, Vicar. The Rev. Robert Horner, Deacon, and his wife Jane moved to the Woodlands in May 1979, and joined Trinity. Services were held first in the Glass Menagerie Restaurant, then the storefront adjacent to the skating rink which provided an interesting backdrop to Sunday a.m. services when the Zamboni roared into action.

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Purchasing Our First Home

In November 1978, Trinity announced plans for a capital fundraising program to finance the construction of a $5 million religious and education facility in The Woodlands. The diocese made it possible for Trinity to obtain 13.2 acres in the Village of Panther Creek, 3333 South Panther Creek. Ground breaking ceremonies took place in April 1980. The Rt. Rev. Maurice Benitez, Bishop of Texas officiated at the service of dedication of the new worship space on May 31, 1981.

 

Growth

By 1999, it was apparent that Trinity had outgrown its space. With the encouragement from the diocese, meetings between the vestry and the Bishop of the Diocese of Texas were held and it was determined that Trinity should move forward with the move to 3901 South Panther Creek Drive, the former home of The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

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From these humble beginnings, Trinity Episcopal Church has grown to be one of the larger parishes in the Diocese of Texas, with some 500 families, an average Sunday attendance eclipsing 400, and an annual budget of over $1.5 mil.

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Rectors of Trinity Episcopal Church

• The Rev. Robert T. Gibson [1975 – 1986]

• The Rev. Hampton Mabry, Jr. [1986 – 1993]

• The Rev. Timothy H. Murphy [1993 - 1995]

• The Rev. Clark W. P. Lowenfield [1995 – 2000]

• The Rev. Craig Smalley, Locum Tenens [2000 – 2001]

• The Rev. Douglas B. Travis [2001 – 2006]

• The Rev. Nicolas R. D. "Nick" Dyke, Locum Tenens [2007]

• The Rev. Dr. Gerald Sevick [2008  – Present]

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