St. Mary’s Church was the first Episcopal church in Hamilton County. Services began in 1868 in the home of Mrs. E.D. Bell, and Rt. Rev. Alexander Gregg, the first Bishop of Texas, rode here on horseback from Galveston. The site was given in 1891 by Maj. C.W. Cotton. The building committee included S.D. Felt, J.L. Spurlin, and E.R. Williams. The church is Gothic in architecture, and its bell was given by a St. Louis merchant. It was consecrated in 1896 by Bishop A.C. Garrett, and Rev. W.W. Patrick was the first Rector.