Our Story
In February of 2023, St. Martin's Episcopal Church became a Mission of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. We first gathered as a worshipping community in October of 2011 in an office space on the square in downtown Mason, TX and have grown to our current home at 105 Willow Street right off Highway 29 going east out of downtown.
Click on the pdf image to read the history of the three Episcopal congregations that have been in Mason, TX. This history was compiled by author Scott Zesch to add to the 150th commemoration of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.
Finding Inspiration in Every Person
Since our inception in 2011, we have adhered to the traditions and protocols of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Our observances use the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the Episcopal Hymnal of 1982. Our original title, Episcopal Worshiping Community, was assigned by the Diocesan Bishop and the Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of West Texas. Our founding clergy, and all subsequent priests and a deacon, have been appointed by the Diocese of West Texas or approved by them to officiate. Our Prayers of the People always include prayers for the Presiding Bishop and the diocesan bishops.
Innovation. Since its founding, Saint Martin's has endeavored to introduce meaningful innovations into our liturgical worship. The priest’s homily is typically followed by a time for comments, questions and group discussion. Saint Martin's is also the only dog-friendly church in Mason County, and congregants and visitors are invited to bring their canine companions to services.
Inclusiveness. Saint Martin's has actively sought to engage with residents of Mason County who may not feel well served by other churches, especially LGBTQ people and those who do not subscribe to religious orthodoxy. To our knowledge, Saint Martin's was the first and only church in Mason County to invite an openly gay priest to serve as celebrant at our Christmas Eve worship.
Outreach. Saint Martin's Episcopal Church engages with the larger Christian community in Mason County through its participation in the Mason County Ministerial Alliance. Our weekly covered dish lunches at Sandstone Cellars Wine Bar are open to all, and we encourage strangers to eat and visit with us on Sundays. Many of Saint Martin’s members are leaders and active volunteers in Second Chance— Mason Animal Rescue, Mason Community Kitchen and Mason County Food Bank. In addition, Saint Martin's supports and promotes Threads of Blessing by selling its tapestries at local events.
The Second Chance Mason Animal Rescue advocates for the humane treatment of animals and stray animal control, facilitates a spay and neuter program, prevents abandonment of animals and provides public education in animal care, behavior and humane treatment of animals.
St. Martin's is active in the Mason County Ministerial Alliance in hosting monthly meals, community worship and other needs for the community of Mason.
The Mason Community Kitchen was founded in 2012 by members of St. Martin's and other community members. supplements the activities of the Mason Food Bank, the Mason County Senior Center and the Mason Housing Authority.
Threads of Blessing uses the proceeds to buy supplies to encourage Threads of Blessing women in Uganda to tell their own stories in unique tapestries. Through the sale of their work, they are providing medical care, education for their children, buying livestock and seed for crops, and building homes for their families.
Click on the book cover image to see the book on Amazon.
Martin and Illustrator Riley.
Click on the photo to see an article about
the book and its creators.
Our first priest, The Rev. Richard Elwood, brought his dog Martin to worship services. Martin helped Fr. Richard write a children's book about the ministry of Martin, titled "Martin in the Narthex". With canine insight, he describes his joyful role in helping to make the church a friendly, caring community. The book is from the viewpoint of Martin.
Inside is a quote:
"My job description, given to me by my dad the priest, was to greet people and make them feel welcome. I was very good at what I did. I happen to be quite an attractive dog and I love everyone and everyone loves me. That's the way it ought to be, don't you think?"
We take our role in welcoming everyone seriously, and use Martin's name and his good work as a model for our Saint Martin's name.
Since its founding in October 2011, Saint Martin's Episcopal Church has consistently been able to meet its own obligations while also providing benevolence contributions to outside groups and individuals, including: Mason Community Kitchen; RAICES Refugee & Immigrant Legal Services; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); Mason County Food Pantry; the Diocese of West Texas’s LGBTQ+ Family Camp; food and other necessities for a destitute mental health client; a contribution to a mosque vandalized in Victoria, Texas; the Thanksgiving Food Drive (with the First United Methodist Church); household goods and cash contributions for victims of Hurricane Harvey; and the Mason County Courthouse Reconstruction Fund.
Portions are adapted from St. Martin's petition to the Diocese to become a mission written by Scott Zesch.
Our Ministry Partners
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