History
Grace has a long and rich history.
The city of Georgetown was established in 1848, and in 1865 Bishop Gregg, first bishop of the Diocese of Texas, came to Georgetown with the Rev. B.A. Rogers, rector of St David’s Austin, to hold services for a small group of Episcopalians in a home or the County Courthouse, as there was no church building at the time.
In 1879 the Diocesan Council recognized the group as the Georgetown Mission. The congregation adopted the articles of association in April 1881 with 38 signatures in the minutes, and Grace was admitted as a parish. By November 16, 1881, downtown property had been purchased, a cornerstone laid, and money raised to erect a building.
The city of Georgetown was established in 1848, and in 1865 Bishop Gregg, first bishop of the Diocese of Texas, came to Georgetown with the Rev. B.A. Rogers, rector of St David’s Austin, to hold services for a small group of Episcopalians in a home or the County Courthouse, as there was no church building at the time.
In 1879 the Diocesan Council recognized the group as the Georgetown Mission. The congregation adopted the articles of association in April 1881 with 38 signatures in the minutes, and Grace was admitted as a parish. By November 16, 1881, downtown property had been purchased, a cornerstone laid, and money raised to erect a building.
The first service was conducted in Grace Church by the new rector, the Reverend J. E. Meredith. The wooden church was Carpenter Gothic with a Norman-style tower, and a choir loft contained the organ and the choir. The original cost of the building and contents was $2,186. Grace Church was the third church to be built in Georgetown.
At some point during the depression years, Grace Church and at least four other struggling parishes were changed to mission status.
In 1954, Bishop John Hines assisted Grace Church to purchase land and move the wooden building to its present location on University Ave. The adjoining property, which included a Dutch Colonial house, was purchased as a Rectory.
At some point during the depression years, Grace Church and at least four other struggling parishes were changed to mission status.
In 1954, Bishop John Hines assisted Grace Church to purchase land and move the wooden building to its present location on University Ave. The adjoining property, which included a Dutch Colonial house, was purchased as a Rectory.
In 1955 Bishop Hines arrived for the laying of the cornerstone of the new church site. Many different items in the cornerstone box are now on display in the library.
The Rev. J. T. Raper, vicar, conducted “Celebration 81,” a 100-year anniversary celebration with Bishop Maurice M. Benitez.
The Rev. Romilly “Cotton” Timmins became our vicar, and later rector, and in time found that the small wooden church could no longer contain our growing congregation. Thus plans were made to build a new and larger stone church on the same property. During the Rev. Timmins’ tenure, the rectory was sold and moved; the small wooden church building was donated to the City of Georgetown to be used as a heritage center. A new stone building was erected; two educational wings were completed; a Mothers’ Day Out program began and later evolved into a preschool; a school board was established; and Grace Church once again became a parish, in 2002. Upon his retirement, the Rev. Timmins donated approximately 1,500 of his books to establish a library; it was named in his honor.
The Rev. J. T. Raper, vicar, conducted “Celebration 81,” a 100-year anniversary celebration with Bishop Maurice M. Benitez.
The Rev. Romilly “Cotton” Timmins became our vicar, and later rector, and in time found that the small wooden church could no longer contain our growing congregation. Thus plans were made to build a new and larger stone church on the same property. During the Rev. Timmins’ tenure, the rectory was sold and moved; the small wooden church building was donated to the City of Georgetown to be used as a heritage center. A new stone building was erected; two educational wings were completed; a Mothers’ Day Out program began and later evolved into a preschool; a school board was established; and Grace Church once again became a parish, in 2002. Upon his retirement, the Rev. Timmins donated approximately 1,500 of his books to establish a library; it was named in his honor.
Construction of the Parish Hall began early in 2004. In February 2009, the Vestry approved plans to construct a Columbarium and Memorial Garden. That same year Grace West, a satellite congregation in the northwest part of the city, was established to accommodate the growing congregation. The Central campus received a generous gift of a Schlicker pipe organ on March 27, 2014, from then-organist Dr. Don McManus. A special service of Organ Dedication & Holy Eucharist was conducted, followed by an inaugural concert.
Grace Church welcomed The Rev. Albert C. “Bertie” Pearson on July 31, 2016. Under his leadership in 2018, church services were held in the Parish Hall while the Sanctuary underwent a major renovation. Fr. Bertie also led the Parish in committing to a building program for the permanent relocation of the Grace West congregation. His resignation was effective April 16, 2023, to allow him to accept a call to St. Albans Parish in Washington, D.C.
The associate rector, the Rev. Mary Ann Huston, currently serves as Locum Tenens.
Grace Church welcomed The Rev. Albert C. “Bertie” Pearson on July 31, 2016. Under his leadership in 2018, church services were held in the Parish Hall while the Sanctuary underwent a major renovation. Fr. Bertie also led the Parish in committing to a building program for the permanent relocation of the Grace West congregation. His resignation was effective April 16, 2023, to allow him to accept a call to St. Albans Parish in Washington, D.C.
The associate rector, the Rev. Mary Ann Huston, currently serves as Locum Tenens.