St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church

St. Mary's in Big Spring has a long history in the diocese. In 1885, Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Welstead gave land to erect an Episcopal mission in memory of their child, and in March of 1885, Bishop Garrett held the first service in the public school. in 1897, however, the church was destroyed by a tornado. A new parish was constructed in 1900 at Runnels and 5th St. Under Bishop E. Cecil Seaman St. Mary's became an official parish.

By 1952 Big Spring had grown, and the congregation kept pace with that growth. A building campaign resulted in a more modern plant built at 10th and Goliad, the current location. Items from the old church were kept, such as the Bishop's chair, the bell, and the altar. In 1966 the design by Harwell Hamilton Harris was completed with the connstruction of a new nave, leaving the old nave as the parish hall. At one time the church even supported a day school for grades K-3.

Today St. Mary's continues at the same location, although with a smaller yet dedicated congregation.