Our History
First Full time Rector
Rev Edward Graham Benners
Birth: Feb. 14, 1813 – New Bern – Craven County – North Carolina, USA
Death: Mar. 14, 1894 – Jefferson – Marion County – Texas, USA
Burial: Oakwood Cemetery – Jefferson – Marion County – Texas, USA
Completed study of law in 1829 and started law practice in 1830 in North Carolina. The Rev. Benners was an established lawyer when he arrived in Jefferson in 1850 and established a law practice here. During the Civil War, he was a Chaplain in the Confederate Army. He served Christ Episcopal Church in Jefferson, first, as an organizer, then as a Lay Reader and finally as an ordained Priest. He was the first full time Priest of Christ Episcopal Church. Many thanks to Ms. Dorothy Craver for some of this information from her book, “This Old Church.”
Over the decades Christ Episcopal Church has been served by many faithful priests that have sought to bring the Good News of the Gospel to Jefferson. These faithful shepherds laid a foundation of faith and practice that has endured throughout the years and has brought many men and women to know the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Christ Episcopal Church has a rich history and is steeped in tradition; but one thing has remained constant throughout its history it has remained faithful in proclaiming the Word of God and administering the Sacraments.
Rev Edward Graham Benners
Birth: Feb. 14, 1813 – New Bern – Craven County – North Carolina, USA
Death: Mar. 14, 1894 – Jefferson – Marion County – Texas, USA
Burial: Oakwood Cemetery – Jefferson – Marion County – Texas, USA
Completed study of law in 1829 and started law practice in 1830 in North Carolina. The Rev. Benners was an established lawyer when he arrived in Jefferson in 1850 and established a law practice here. During the Civil War, he was a Chaplain in the Confederate Army. He served Christ Episcopal Church in Jefferson, first, as an organizer, then as a Lay Reader and finally as an ordained Priest. He was the first full time Priest of Christ Episcopal Church. Many thanks to Ms. Dorothy Craver for some of this information from her book, “This Old Church.”
Over the decades Christ Episcopal Church has been served by many faithful priests that have sought to bring the Good News of the Gospel to Jefferson. These faithful shepherds laid a foundation of faith and practice that has endured throughout the years and has brought many men and women to know the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Christ Episcopal Church has a rich history and is steeped in tradition; but one thing has remained constant throughout its history it has remained faithful in proclaiming the Word of God and administering the Sacraments.
Our Present Priest in Charge
Fr. John Himes came to Christ Church in 2019 after serving fifteen years as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall. Prior to the he had served at the Church of The Ascension in Houston, and Christ Episcopal Church in Temple, Texas. Fr. Himes has his Bachelor of Science s Degree from Texas A&M, Master of Divinity degree from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Nashotah Theological Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin.
Over the years he has served on a variety of Diocese of Texas Boards of Directors and continues to serve as 2nd Vice President of Forward in Faith North America, a national outreach ministry proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Prior to entering the priesthood Fr. Himes served 20 plus years in the United States Army as a Field Artillery Officer. He served around the world during times of peace and war.
He is married to the light of his life Megan and they have three grown children and five grandchildren.
His ministry is based upon a passage from the Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 22, verse 27 "I am among you as one who serves."
Fr. John Himes came to Christ Church in 2019 after serving fifteen years as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall. Prior to the he had served at the Church of The Ascension in Houston, and Christ Episcopal Church in Temple, Texas. Fr. Himes has his Bachelor of Science s Degree from Texas A&M, Master of Divinity degree from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Nashotah Theological Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin.
Over the years he has served on a variety of Diocese of Texas Boards of Directors and continues to serve as 2nd Vice President of Forward in Faith North America, a national outreach ministry proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Prior to entering the priesthood Fr. Himes served 20 plus years in the United States Army as a Field Artillery Officer. He served around the world during times of peace and war.
He is married to the light of his life Megan and they have three grown children and five grandchildren.
His ministry is based upon a passage from the Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 22, verse 27 "I am among you as one who serves."