A brave and resourceful lady, Mrs. J. C. Coleman (Sallie McKee Coleman) is probably responsible for the earliest presence of the Episcopal Church in the Lubbock area. She came to the Plains with her husband and two young sons, December 23, 1889, and was likely the only Episcopalian in Lubbock County for the next fourteen years. A profoundly religious woman, she brought the Episcopal Church to Lubbock. A small Episcopal congregation, led by Sallie Coleman may have been established in Lubbock as early as 1903, probably worshipping in homes without the benefit of clergy. In 1905, Mrs. Coleman became president of a small group of Episcopal church women who met under the name of the "Guild."

The first public Episcopal worship service in Lubbock was held at the Methodist Church in 1905. The Rev. Harry Goodman of Clarendon, Texas, conducted this first service. We made three more trips to Lubbock between 1905 and 1907. The first Episcopal confirmation, of four people, was held in the Old Opera House on July 8, 1909, located in downtown Lubbock. Bishop Garrett made the trip from Dallas, traveling partly on horseback in spite of the fact that he was seventy-seven years old and in failing health. The following day he administered communion.

In 1910 Mrs. Coleman sustained severe injuries in a fall at the Nicolette Hotel. Despite her doctor's warning she continued working to build the Episcopal Church in Lubbock. Mrs. Coleman secured the donation of a communion service from the Church of the Transfiguration in New York City, later best known as The Little Church Around the Corner. The inscription on the chalice reads," To St. Paul's on the Plains, Lubbock, Texas, May 1907." Her son, Max Coleman, contended that she did her best work while she was a semi-invalid.

The Presbyterians invited the Episcopalians to use their building two Sundays a month, and the Rev. Edwin Weary came once a month from Amarillo to hold services. The Presbyterian minister, The Rev. J. P. Word, ministered to both congregations. In return for the use of the building, the Episcopalians provided a piano and paid the utilities.

St. Paul's on the Plains was officially created as a Mission at the fifteenth annual Council of the Diocese of Dallas in May 1910 . Later in 1910 the General Convention created the Missionary District of North Texas and named the Rev. Edward O. Temple as Bishop. Prominent attorney Roscoe Wilson and his wife, Effie Brownfield Wilson, together with Bishop Temple, selected a lot on the southwest corner of 15th Street and Avenue O for St. Paul's Church. Local communicants purchased the lot and the Bishop provided $1,000 from the mission fund for the building. A communion rail, also a gift from the famous Little Church Around the Corner in New York City, was sent to Bishop Temple to be used in this new mission. The Rev. John Showell was the first resident rector.

In 1927 the original church building was moved to 1609 Avenue Q and enlarged. In 1997 the church building, which had fallen into great disrepair and was in danger of being demolished, became the property of the City of Lubbock and was moved to a city park. It was restored through gifts to the Lubbock Heritage Society. Currently the old St. Paul's is used for weddings, family reunions, and other social gatherings.

In 1939 the present property at 16th and Avenue X was purchased. The Rev. John A. Winslow and his family moved into a house at that location using it for a rectory. The congregation met in Seaman Hall, which was built in 1932 with a United Thank Offering grant. St. Paul's Church on the Plains was designated as a parish in 1940. That same year the church property on Avenue Q was sold. The present church was completed and ready for use by Christmas, 1940.

The Rev. Claude Canterbury replaced The Rev. Mr. Winslow, serving from 1947-1955. In those post-war years the communicant strength grew, necessitating the building of a new parish hall, Sunday school rooms, a nursery, and bookstore.

The Rev. Jacquelin Washington came to St. Paul's in 1956 as Rector. During his twenty-eight years of service a new parish hall, Sunday school rooms, a conference room, and recreational meeting room for teenagers were added. During the post-war years, St. Paul's was instrumental in founding other Episcopal churches in Lubbock, St. Christopher's in 1955, and St. Stephen's in 1958.

The Rev. Harold Clinehens, Jr. came to St. Paul’s as Rector in August 1985. During his tenure he brought a new emphasis on active involvement by the laity in all facets of church life. A new emphasis on stewardship and outreach was encouraged. A major capital improvement campaign resulted in the remodeling of the office and Christian education areas. Fr. Clinehens received a call to another church and left St. Paul’s in January 1991.

The Rev. William Jarvi, who had served as Associate Rector, remained as Priest-in-Charge until the Rev. William B. Wright became Rector of St. Paul’s in August 1992. Fr. Wright continued the emphasis on stewardship. St Paul’s Playschool, which had previously been a two day a week “Mothers Day Out,” became a five-day-a-week licensed day care for children of parishioners and the community at large. An addition to the church property was the purchase of a house now called St. Paul’s House, immediately west of the church parking lot.

Fr. Wright served until March, 1998. He was followed by the Rev. Peter Fritsch. His first Sunday as Rector of St. Paul’s Church was February 9, 1999. In April 2000 St. Paul’s kicked off its three year capital funds drive, “ St. Paul’s 2000…Revitalizing our Heritage.” Over the next two years extensive repainting and remodeling took place inside upstairs rooms and the parish hall. The interior of the nave was repainted in the summer of 2003 and in September 2003 the columns were replaced. St. Paul’s parking lots were re-paved in 2005.

The Rev. Fritsch left St. Paul’s in January 2002 and the Rev. Harry Allen served as Interim Rector until the next rector was called. In September 2003 St. Paul’s Playschool closed. The campaign, “Windows of Opportunity” began in 2004. It was designed to replace decaying windows around several areas of the church facilities. The campaign was successively completed in 2005.

The Rev. Steve Sellers answered the call of the Vestry to become Rector of St. Paul’s Church and his first Sunday was August 1, 2004. With his coming there has been a renewed optimism for the future. From him and his wife, Dixie, St. Paul’s has seen increased education opportunities for adults and children. There has also come a new in-depth look at the church properties for the future.

St. Paul’s Church is a warm and welcoming Christian community willing and eager to share God’s love.

More about St. Paul's on-the-Plains history.

St. Paul's on the Plain's Historic Church at Lubbock Garden and Arts Center at 40th and University, Lubbock, Texas

Veal, Edward M. (1992). A Parish Coming of Age: St. Paul's on the Plains Episcopal Church, 1938-1947. Unpublished Manuscript.