OUR HISTORY
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: A Legacy of Faith and Community in Seguin
In 1853, Joseph Dunn and six faithful communicants established a mission parish in Seguin under the name Church of the Redeemer. When it was discovered that another church in Texas shared that name, the parish became known as St. Andrew’s—a name now woven into nearly 175 years of spiritual heritage in Guadalupe County.
Before the 1836 Texas Revolution, Roman Catholicism was the only legally accepted form of worship under Spanish and Mexican rule. The founding of St. Andrew’s as an Episcopal mission created new space for American settlers and European immigrants seeking religious expression and spiritual belonging.
For many years, worship services were held in borrowed spaces, including Temperance Hall on Court Street. In 1875, the congregation purchased three lots for $300, and by the following year, they had completed a church building at the current location on East Nolte Street. Designed by John White—an architect who worked on the Texas Capitol—and parishioner John Ireland, a future governor of Texas, the church stood as a symbol of growth, faith, and civic engagement.
Nature tested the church’s endurance in 1886 and again in 1900, when powerful storms damaged the bell tower and roof and shattered stained glass above the altar. Yet each time, the community responded with resolve: rebuilding, restoring, and rededicating the sacred space. In 1976, a beautiful new bell tower was installed, and the roof was upgraded with standing seam metal, preserving the church’s structural integrity and aesthetic charm.
As the parish grew, so did the need for space. The original church building—now known as the Chapel at St. Andrew’s—was lovingly renovated in 2012 and continues to serve as a holy and historic place of worship. In 1986, a new church building was completed following a thoughtful master plan and dedication effort led by the long-range planning committee. The new space allowed the congregation to flourish and expanded opportunities for worship, outreach, and fellowship.
A repository of treasured artifacts, given in memory of Mrs. Lottie Boquet, serves as a tangible reflection of the church’s evolving story. Having stood in McKeogh Hall and later the narthex, it now rests in the church office—welcoming parishioners and visitors to experience the past with reverence and gratitude.
St. Andrew’s is the oldest continuously active mission in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. From its earliest days, it has been a steadfast presence—not only in Seguin but in service to people near and far. As the congregation approaches its 175th anniversary, it recommits to a future grounded in tradition, faith, and the boundless love of Christ.
Join us for Sunday worship in the Episcopal tradition and Book of Common Prayer, either in person or online. We offer a spoken Rite I service at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel and a Contemporary service at 10:00 a.m. in the newer church building and livestreamed on Facebook.
All are welcome.
VOLUNTEERS
There are lots of ways to get involved at St. Andrew’s, and we need your help! Take a look at the volunteer opportunities below and see what strikes your interest. Don’t worry if something is new to you or you don’t have any prior experience: We can help you learn and are always looking for new people!
VOLUNTEER WITH USSt. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, a congregation of the Episcopal Church, and a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.