Calvary

Is this where it all began? Calvary, a name whispered with reverence through the ages. Calvary Episcopal Church, right here where we stand, marks a spot steeped in history, spanning over 150 years. It all started with a simple request. Mrs. Carolina Higgins, longing for a taste of home, asked her friend, the first Episcopal Bishop of Texas, to establish a church reminiscent of her beloved Calvary in Tarboro, North Carolina. And so, in 1869, Calvary Episcopal Church was born. Imagine, the first services held modestly in the local Methodist church, just once a month. Soon, the burgeoning congregation found a temporary home in a building owned by Mrs. Higgins’ husband, Colonel Higgins. Tragedy struck in 1880 when their son Horace, a promising young attorney, succumbed to typhoid fever. Driven by grief and love, Colonel Higgins decided to honor his son’s memory with a grand gesture: a new church for Calvary. He enlisted Jasper Preston, a renowned architect who also graced Austin with the iconic Driskill Hotel and the Bastrop County Courthouse. The cornerstone was laid in 1881, and three years later, the new Calvary Episcopal Church opened its doors. But the story doesn’t end there. Calvary has always been more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a beacon of faith, a community that has weathered storms and emerged stronger. It’s a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, compassion, and unwavering devotion.