ABOUT US
Welcome to
St. John's Church
St. John's is a traditional Anglican parish located in Corsicana, Texas. For generations, we have sought to bear faithful witness to the fullness of the Catholic faith within the Anglican tradition, through reverent worship, the sacraments, and a parish community that is prayerful and hospitable.
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We are a devoted congregation centered around the Holy Eucharist, the Daily Office of prayer, and the beauty of the Church’s liturgical life. Our worship is rich in symbolism and devotion, drawing deeply from the treasures of the English heritage—incense, chant, vestments, choral music, and the ordered dignity of the Book of Common Prayer.
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Here, we strive to live the faith with sincerity and hospitality. We believe the Gospel is not only preached but embodied—through the sacraments, and in Christ's faithful people working our their salvation through charity for one another, and through hidden acts of service to our neighbors. In a world of constant change, our parish offers stability, tradition, and a quiet place to grow in faith.
Our Staff and Vestry
Fr. Matthew Sparks, Vicar
Mrs. Benji Pardee, Parish Administrator
Mr. Scott Clinton, Organist and Choirmaster
Our Vestry
Dr. Shellie O’Neal, Senior Warden (2025)
Mr. Fred Biltz, Junior Warden (2025)
Ms. Christine Towles, Clerk of the Vestry (2027)
Mrs. Liz Kingman, (2025)
Mr. John Boswell (2026)
Mr. Jim Hogan (2026)
Mrs. Rena Sutphin (2026),
Mrs. Conrad Newton (2027),
Mr. Shawn Walden (2027)
Our Rich Heritage
Missionary efforts reached the Corsicana region as early as the 1850s. However, it wasn't until 1871 that St. John’s was officially established as a mission, under the leadership of the Rev. Virginius Gee. In 1874, the congregation completed the first church building on land generously donated by E. J. and W. S. Simkins. By 1876, the mission had grown sufficiently to be formally organized into a parish. Though St. John’s was functioning as a parish, its building wasn’t consecrated until November 20, 1911—a ceremony made possible only when financial and spiritual readiness aligned. A central figure in the church’s early development, Bishop Alexander Charles Garrett served as Missionary Bishop of North Texas when St. John’s mission was organized. He was consecrated bishop on December 20, 1874, and held extensive pastoral oversight in the region, which later became the Diocese of Dallas. Garrett made a notable pastoral visit to Corsicana during Lent of 1875, where he conducted services in makeshift settings—using a scrubbed-up store and packing boxes as an altar—and baptized the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Simkins, one of the key patrons of the church. Throughout this early period, Bishop Garrett's leadership and support were instrumental in guiding the fledgling congregation toward parish status and eventual consecration. The current church building, the third on the site, was completed in 1908 at a cost of $17,000. Interestingly, local parishioners met architect Stanford White in New York while on their honeymoon; he sketched a design on a napkin that inspired the church's architecture. The building features richly symbolic stained glass memorial windows—like the Gethsemane Window honoring Justice E. J. Simkins, Christ Walking on Water for Rev. Hiram J. Ellis, and others celebrating early members and benefactors. In the 1940s, St. John’s broadened its mission by operating an Episcopal school—the first of its kind in the Diocese of Dallas—demonstrating the parish’s commitment to education. The church also sponsored mission efforts beyond Corsicana, such as supporting St. Alban’s Mission in Hubbard, 27 miles southwest.