The History and Treasures of St. David's Church Page: 14
xvi, 154 p. : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 29 cm.View a full description of this book.
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"an open house" was held so the parishioners
could greet their new Bishop. In the afternoon
after the last caller had left, Bishop Gregg asked
Mr. Gillette to drive him to Wilbarger (now
Manor) where the Rector had aroused some
interest in the Church.
No doubt, that day these two Churchmen
found out that they shared three interests: both
were ardent missionaries; both were interested in
better education for Texans; and both were
concerned about the welfare of slaves.
To the parishioners of St. David's they
presented a striking contrast for the Bishop was
tall, handsome, and austere with old-fashioned
Southern manners while their Rector was short,
portly, and straight-forward. In time, they
learned that both of them were tenacious in their
beliefs and had great physical endurance.
In the beginning, they had a deep respect for
each other. In his first Journal report, Bishop
Gregg noted "the zealous efforts" of Mr.
Gillette and envisioned Austin as "the center
of important education and missionary op-
erations." And though he was six years young-
er than the Rector and lacked his theological
education (he had been educated in the Law)
Bishop Gregg made a deep impression on the
priest and upon everyone he met by his evident
self-control, sincerity, and gracious manners.
Indeed, had there been no Civil War, this
Bishop and this Rector could probably have
become national figures in the Church.
On his first visit Bishop Gregg spent four days
in Austin and vicinity. While here, he bought 40
acres of land from James H. Raymond for
$2,846. At New Orleans he had purchased a
carriage and a buggy which could be picked up
when he moved to Texas. From Austin, which he
had chosen as his See City, he could now travel
over his huge Diocese independent of stagecoach
schedules.
The Bishop spent about a month travelling
over Texas. He meant, in time, to become well
acquainted with every part of his huge Diocese.
As the Reverend Lawrence Brown stated in his
book, The Episcopal Church in Texas, (1838-
1874) he intended "to institute a farsighted and
a practical program."
Early in 1860 Bishop Gregg moved his family,
household goods, and a few slaves to Austin. One
can picture a long train of wagons making their
way slowly to Texas. Soon after their arrival,
they became aware that sectional differencesbetween the North and the South were evident
and that the bustling life of Austin was vastly
different from the quiet plantation life in South
Carolina.
Mr. Gillette's love of Texas was proved by his
investments in real estate after he arrived in
Austin. He especially loved the landscape in
Travis County with its rolling hills and peaceful
meadows which he saw as he rode out on
horseback. In 1855 he purchased from Mr.
James G. Swisher, Mrs. Gillette's uncle, a large
tract of land southwest across the Colorado
River.
At a Vestry meeting on April 30, 1860, Mr.
Gillette asked that they consider building a
parsonage on some land he had bought nearby,
but, at the next meeting Mr. James H. Raymond
stated that the idea was impractical and
suggested that they raise $400 to pay the
Rector's rent on a house owned by Mr. L. C.
Collins, a parishioner. On May 28, 1860, Mr.
S. M. Swenson, Senior Warden, deeded to Mr.
Gillette for only $1 payment two town lots in the
area now called "Symphony Square."
During the year 1860 the impressive
educational project of Mr. Gillette and his two
partners, Mrs. X. B. DeBray and Mr. Herman
Wilke, received a Charter under the name
Wharton College to honor Mrs. Gillette, the
former Mary Anne Wharton. The College, or
Seminary, and the preparatory School had
grown. They now had two teachers who had
joined the staff while studying for the min-
istry,-Mr. W. H. Richardson and Mr. Frank
Brown. Mr. Brown became an Assistant at St.
David's and a close friend of Mr. Gillette. And
the income from the School helped Mr. Gillette
personally.
On November 9, 1860, the Vestry voted $8 to
purchase the new Tune Book for use of the
Choir. At their meeting on December 10, 1860,
certain members pledged sums of money for Mr.
Gillette's salary with Mr. Swenson leading off
with $100.
By this time, Bishop Gregg, an alert overseer
of his people, had grasped the gravity of the
political situation. On December 20, 1860, he
issued a special "form of prayer for the times,"
and on January 4, 1861, he published a pastoral
letter to calm his people. It was a moderate letter
counseling prayer for peace.
In February, 1861, the voters of Texas ratified
the Ordinance of Secession at the polls, but
Travis County, made up of citizens from various14
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Tanner, Daisy Barrett. The History and Treasures of St. David's Church, book, 1976; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth201188/m1/34/: accessed May 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting St. David’s Episcopal Church.