New Buildings, Renovated Facilities Equipped for Learning, Worship Now and in the Future; Donors Honored at Black-Tie Event
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School, a traditional Episcopal church in the Diocese of Texas that supports the Christian, classical college preparatory school, today announced that after four years of construction, the newly renovated campus will be fully open for learning and worship this school year. The grand reopening was celebrated on October 30 at the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School’s annual Fall Fair. During the event, the community formally dedicated its new 85,000 square foot academic building, Shaw Hall and the new Scottish Arts Center named after Donna and Mike Cusack ’79.
“In 2017, Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School experienced nearly complete devastation during Hurricane Harvey as 70 percent of the church and school were flooded. Amidst their own personal tragedies due to the storm, the church and school leadership worked quickly to bring students and church members back to campus through the use of existing and temporary buildings,” said Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School Headmaster Mike Cusack. “Since that time, we have had construction in some form happening on campus. We are ecstatic to be finished so students, teachers, staff, families and the church community can enjoy this beautiful campus once again.”
The soon-to-be fully opened Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School campus features:
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Renovated church sanctuary with solid wood chairs, new floors, and millwork
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New three-story school building with an archway entrance, a large lobby, maker space, classrooms with smart technology, art classes, Middle School commons area, Upper School commons area, outdoor terrace and semi-underground parking lot
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New outdoor pavilion for church and school events and sports
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New sports court with basketball, tennis, volleyball, and other games
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New playground for Lower School and Pre-K students
“We’ve been tested throughout the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and then the COVID-19 pandemic, but our Christian faith has strengthened and fortified the core values of our church and school: Honor, Christian Faith, Love, Discipline, Excellence, and Respect,” said Rev. David O. Browder, President of the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School Board and Rector of the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church. “We are thankful to God and the community for getting us through this time. The entire Saint Thomas’ community is celebrating the near completion of the construction and the new faith and academic opportunities that lay ahead.”
The construction cost a total of $29,000,000 and was funded by donors and FEMA. On October 28, 2021, Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School honored donors at a black-tie gala. The donors included Judith and Roy Shaw who were honored with their $1,000,000 gift to the Fulfilling the Promise Capital Campaign.
ABOUT SAINT THOMAS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND SCHOOL
Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church began in May 1953 when 22 families gathered in an abandoned television studio on Post Oak Road in what was then the far southwest corner of Houston. A spirit of providing for themselves and for others fueled the growth of the church and its primary mission: Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School. The church is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, and is known for its traditional worship and music program, which features a grand pipe organ, and choir. For more information on Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church visit https://stthomashouston.org/ and follow @St.ThomasEpiscopalChurchHouston on Facebook and @Stecmeyerland on Twitter.
Founded in 1955, Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School, is a private, Preschool through 12th-grade college preparatory school founded on Christian values. We believe in nurturing our students through classical instruction. exceptional academics, fine arts, and athletics - all grounded in a Christ-centered worldview. The Scottish Arts program has been at the core of the school’s identity since the late 1950s. For more information on Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School visit https://www.stes.org/ and follow @StThomasEpiscopalSchool on Facebook, @steschool on Instagram, @STE_Houston on Twitter.
Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School are centered around the core values of Honor, Christian Faith, Love, Discipline, Excellence, Respect.
MEDIA NOTE: Images of the renovated Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School are available by request. Also, in-person tours of the campus can be scheduled through Carrie Ward, carrie@hellobrightspot.com, 832-407-5347.
Source: Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School