HISTORY OF ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

On May 14, 1956 the first service of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church was held at the First Christian Church in Carrollton. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew's chapter from St. Michael and All Angels Church had been working hard to establish an Episcopal church in this area. On May 24, 1956 they called for a meeting of interested people of the area at a barbecue. Bishop Charles Avery Mason, who served as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas from 1946-1970, attended this barbeque along with The Reverend Grover Cleveland McElyea (aka Fr. Mac) Associate from St. Michael's. The signatures of more than thirty-five people were presented to Bishop Mason on a petition to recognize the new St. Andrew's congregation. Bishop Mason appointed The Reverend Walter G. Fields as Vicar. As the Mission had been started by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew's chapter from St. Michael's and All Angels, it was named St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

From September of 1956 through 1958 services were held in what had been a domino parlor and more recently a laundromat. The nursery was in the McInnish plumbing shop, Sunday school was in the recreation room of the fire station and the parish hall in the Carrollton Civic Center. These buildings were on the square in Carrollton.

In 1957 land was purchased at Valwood Pkwy and Dennis Road in Farmers Branch. The groundbreaking was held April 24, 1958 for the first building of St. Andrew's. This building (the present Hunsaker Parish Hall) served a dual purpose as church and parish hall until 1967.

On September 15, 1960, The Reverend Walter G. Fields resigned and The Reverend Dr. Norman B. Godfrey was appointed by Bishop Mason as Vicar.

In 1961 the Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s moved and refurbished a frame building for much needed rooms for the expanding Sunday School. Dr. Massad gave the building to the church so it was named Massad House. Another frame building was erected and named St. Joseph's House as more Sunday School rooms were needed.

In 1963, The Reverend Dr. Norman B. Godfrey accepted a position in Mobile, Alabama and The Reverend Richard S. Hall assumed his duties as Vicar. On February 7, 1964 a letter was sent to Bishop Mason from the Vestry that St. Andrew's submit a petition to become a Parish. At the next Diocesan Convention, Bishop Mason gave his consent and the petition was submitted in May. The Diocesan Convention elevated St. Andrew's to Parish status. The Reverend Richard S. Hall was called by the Vestry to continue as Rector and he accepted.

In 1964, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s constructed a 1,000 sq.ft. building to adjoin Massad House and began a Kindergarten school with classes for 4 and 5 year olds. On September 7, 1968 our new sanctuary was dedicated with much of the interior artwork and woodwork (pulpit, altar, etc.) done by the Reverend Richard S. Hall and members of the congregation. The beautiful cross above the altar was carved by an anonymous parish member.

From at least 1974, St. Andrew’s had a week day nursery and kindergarten in the Sunday school building. These ministries contributed greatly to the building up of St. Andrews. There was a time when St. Andrew’s sponsored an ESL (English as a second language) class led by various members of our church including Barbara Kinstley and Rebecca DeGrasse.

In August, 1979 The Reverend Richard S. Hall moved to New Mexico and semi-retired. The Reverend William C. Warnky was called to be the new Rector. Terwilliger Hall was built on December 28, 1985 to be used for Sunday School rooms and as a chapel for weekday services.