The Christ Episcopal Church of Nacogdoches, one of the first in the Diocese of Texas, traces its history to the earliest years of statehood. The idea for an Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches came to pass in 1848 when local Judge Amos Clark convinced Rev. Henry Sansom, who had just arrived in Texas to minister to the people of San Augustine, to also hold services in Nacogdoches. Sansom agreed, and held the first Episcopal service at the Nacogdoches Courthouse Sunday, June 14th, 1848. Services continued in the courthouse until 1852, when the Christ Church of Nacogdoches opened its doors for the first time. Located at the end of a short lane (later renamed Church Street) off Main Street, the church was consecrated in 1855. The first Vestry included Judge Clark, who gave $500 in gold to build the church, Frost Thorn, who donated the land, Col. Hayden Edwards, and Judge Richard S. Walker. Other well-known early members include Col. Henry Raguet, Dr. James Harper Starr, Dr. Robert Irion, Judge William B. Ochiltree, and Capt. Henry Hancock. In 1902, the church moved to a new location adjacent the old Nacogdoches University. Famous architect and vestryman Dietrich Rulfs designed the structure. The church moved to its present location on the corner of Mound Street and East Starr Avenue in the 1930s. (Christ Episcopal Church, History of Christ Episcopal Church, Nacogdoches, Texas, http://www.christchurch-nacogdoches.org/history.html [Accessed 15 April 2011].)