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The earliest local parish record we have is a Vestry Minute Book covering
the time from February, 1882, to December, 1901. Members of the Vestry in 1882
were: Jas. T. Mathieu, Dr. J. C. Jones, E. Dudley, John Darst, W. H. Atkinson,
Ed Titcomb and George Swift. Within a year Mr. Swift was replaced by F. Richartt.
Problems recorded range from the ever-present one of finances to such a matter
as animals, apparently chiefly horses, in the churchyard. In an effort to prevent
having unwanted livestock in the church yard, the Vestry directed that locks be
placed on the fence gates and be kept locked during the week. A name that still
appears in the annual budget of the parish is that of Mr. C. C. Guppy to whom the
Vestry voted to extend its thanks for "his efficient aid and donation of work
upon the chancel furniture." (February 1882)
By 1883, having completed the church building, the Vestry turned its attention
to planning for a rectory. In October of that year, a committee was appointed
to act in conjunction with a like committee of the ladies to collect all the money
possible with a view to beginning the construction of the rectory at an early date.
Previously the Church of the Messiah had been served by clergy from other churches
within reasonable traveling distance. In May of 1884, the Vestry moved "that the
Secretary give official notice to the Rev. N. B. Fuller that he had been called as
Rector of this parish for the ensuing year, on the following terms, to wit:
The Bishop of Western Texas to pay $450.00 and the congregation of this church
to pay $550.00 making a total of $1,000.00 per year. Services to be held by the
Rector each Sunday in the year." The Rev. Mr. Fuller accepted this call and
continued to serve until 1886. It should be noted that apparently the Rev. Mr.
Fuller had been serving as Rector for two years previously, though perhaps it
should be assumed that this had been in a combined relationship with the church
in Luling. It may well be that this closer relationship between priest and
people was the stimulus needed to further plans for a rectory. In reading the
minutes of the Vestry meetings,it is easy to see the difficulties in acquiring