Heritage, Volume 17, Number 1, Spring 1999 Page: 4
31 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Lewis A. JonesI would like to begin by wishing each of
you a very happy New Year and to once
again thank the Houston Endowment, a
philanthropy endowed by Mr. and Mrs.
Jesse H. Jones, for its support of HERITAGE
magazine and the Foundation's ongoing
public education program. This issue
of HERITAGE magazine focuses on a few
of the historic churches in Texas.
While recognizing the missionary work A lK
of the Roman Catholic Church among the
Indians, it became the responsibility of
later colonial groups to establish their own
congregations. Since Catholicism was the
only sanctioned religion under Spanish
rule, it was only after Texas became a
Republic that Protestants were able to establish
congregations legally. However, this
does not mean that Protestant groups were not meeting and
worshipping before this time. As early as 1825 organized congregations
were meeting in violation of Mexican law.
In the Republic of Texas, churches began to be built in many
small towns and rural communities as well as the more populated
areas. By 1854 synagogues were being founded, mainly in the larger,
more active communities. While most congregations have outgrown
their original facilities and moved to newer locations, it is
those remaining 19th century churches that have retained the
simplicity of their denominations' Texas beginnings. There is an
exception to this simplicity, and it can be found in the Painted
Churches of our Czech communities. These churches are emblazoned
with the works of immigrants who were attempting to
recreate with paint the grandeur of the cathedrals they had left
behind in Europe. Texas history cannot be understood without
knowledge of the immigrants who occupied the land and the
religious faiths and customs they brought with them. Family and
faith were the foundations upon which their futures depended.
I have been a member of two of Texas's historic churches: Christ
Church Cathedral in Houston, where I grew up, and St. David'sEpiscopal Church in Austin, where I now
reside. Christ Church has been through
fires, hurricanes, and times of major disaffections,
but it continues a leitmotif of
solemnity and joyful celebration. Likewise,
St. David's, which has just celebrated its
sesquicentennial, has not been immune to
great troubles, mainly an existence-threatening
crisis during the Civil War. Nevertheless,
both churches have survived and
thrived because of spirit, dedication, and
belief- all qualities exemplified by our
state's early leaders.
Otherwise, as I write this letter, Austin
and the state of Texas is preparing for
another legislative session, and there is a
proposal to have the Legislature proclaim
April as Confederate History Month.The
Confederacy, 1861-1865, is a part of our
history and the more we know about it, the better we can understand
it. Misinformation is endemic in our citizenry. After all,
Texas was a participant in this fratricidal war; its citizens participated
in every major engagement. In fact, though 90 battles
occurred in Texas,you would be hard pressed to find someone who
can name more than three or four. Moreover, it was a "rainbow
coalition". The only minority group covered by the Voting Rights
Act of 1965 that did not fight for the Confederacy was the Eskimos.
Texas is the only state in the old Confederacy that does not have
such a month.
Finally, I would like to finish by saying that the Texas Historical
Foundation and the state of Texas have had a true friend and great
champion in Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock. Although he is
leaving state government, he will continue to support our programs
and heritage albeit from a different venue. However, I want to
assure our Foundation members that incoming Lieutenant Governor
Rick Perry and I have discussed a number of issues regarding the
preservation of Texas history, and he is as true a Texan as his
predecessor.
God Bless Texas.4 HERITAGE -SPRING 1999
THE TEXAS HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
A non-profit organization devoted to historic preservation requests applications and nominations for
BOARD MEMBERS
There are currently openings on the Board of Directors of the Texas Historical Foundation. The Board is seeking to recruit new
members who will reflect the full range of historical, preservation, and archaeological interests that the Foundation has traditionally
supported. It is also important that the Board represent the different geographical areas of the state. At present we are seeking to
increase representation from South Texas and the Panhandle, and we encourage applications from those areas. Send cover letter and
curriculum vita to:
Lewis A. Jones * Texas Historical Foundation * Box 50314, Austin, Texas 78763
For more information on Board service, call (512) 453-2154 or by e.mail at thf@texashf.org
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Texas Historical Foundation. Heritage, Volume 17, Number 1, Spring 1999, periodical, Spring 1999; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth45393/m1/4/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.