St.
John’s Chimes
A publication of St. John’s Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 1477  Sealy, TX 77474
March 2010
CHANGING SEASONS:
We now enter Holy Week and the Easter
Season: The time of Christ Jesus’ crucifixion
and resurrection.
What a remarkable and joyous time when we
say “Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ
will come again”!!
Christ laid down his life for each of us. How
many of us would do that for another? Imagine
dying for the sins of others, our neighbors.
Dying so others may receive Salvation and
Eternal Life.
Because of the Christ we can be transformed,
made right with God; and all we must do is
truly believe in God, love Him and our
neighbors.
We are told that Salvation is free, it is ours for
the taking, and it doesn’t cost us a thing.
Imagine – something of great value for nothing.
Many of us question how that can really be
Dietrich Bonheoffer, a German theologian of
the 20th Century also asked the question about
whether nor not the Grace of God is really free;
and wrote a book on that topic.
I won’t delve into his theological arguments,
but will agree that by earthly standard, Grace
does have a price.
That price is transformation of our lives, giving
up the habits of a non-Christian life and taking on
the Christ-like habits of Jesus. Just think how
difficult that is for most of us.
What do you really need to give up? And then,
what do you need to take on as new habits to
replace the old ones: Out with the Bad and in
with the Good.
Most of us don’t find it difficult to love God, but
seriously consider how we must be transformed
– changed; and then think about the new Christ-
like habits you must take on to love our
neighbors. Those who don’t fit into our ideas of
how people should conduct themselves, speak,
dress and live their lives.
So, is God’s Grace, Salvation, really free? I think
St. Paul, the “Apostle to the Gentiles” answers
that question when he writes that all of his prior
life was a “loss” and “waste” when compared to
his transformation and Christian walk toward
Salvation and Eternal Life through Jesus Christ.
Let us always remember: “Christ has died. Christ
has risen. Christ will come again.”
Will we be transformed and ready when Christ
comes again?
AMEN!!
Eric LeBrocq

UPCOMING APRIL EVENTS
Friday, April 23rd
Liedertafel Hall , 4-8 PM, set
up
Saturday, April 24th
9:30 am Kolache and
welcome reception
10:30 am Blessing of New
Memorial Garden
lunch and program to follow
at Liedertafel Hall
Sunday, April 25th
10:00 Eucharist
“Homecoming Service”
cake & punch reception
to follow at Parish Hall
There will be a “Treasure Chest” jar placed in
the parish hall for members to write thank you
notes to people who have done something
special or notes of appreciation for any
occasion. After a period, the notes will be
mailed to the recipients. This will be fun and
everyone can think of something or someone
we are thankful for.
Senior Warden Notes:
Someone recently complained
to me “Lent is so long.” Well, yes, it is
40 days and it does come from the Latin word
for “length”. Lent is POWERFUL.
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Judy Johnson gave the congregation posters for
a journey through Lent.
Jeff & Suzanne Whitzel, Bobbie Sumerlin, Eric
LeBrocq and Mary Emerson did Evensong
services.
We had members telling the history of St. John’s
in 25 year increments, each with a different take,
all very good and informative.
Our St. John’s cooks did not fail us with the
usual wonderful pancake and soup suppers. All
the proceeds benefited our celebration and you
were very generous. Although we miss Fr. Jim
Abernathey, Eric LeBrocq immediately stepped
in and now we have Fr. Sam Todd celebrating
Eucharist & mentoring Eric. Fr. Todd will be
here 2-3 Sundays a month and we will have
Morning Prayer the other Sundays.
The teens are involved in the readings and doing
a fine job. The landscaping is completed and a
flagstone walkway has been installed. A
fountain is on order and a memorial marker will
be placed in the center of the garden. We are
asking Bishop Doyle to bless our new Memorial
Garden when he is here for our April 24th service
and program. Many hours have been
volunteered. And many monetary and service
donations have been received. The Vestry and
Celebration Committee deeply appreciate all.
We are so Blessed!
If you wish to donate in any form, contact Brian
or Lavinia, co-chairs of the event. Monetary
donations should be specified for the celebration.
Thanks to all!
God Bless and Happy Easter !
Pat Klotz, Sr. Warden
St. John’s Vestry
A quick note from Elaine Ritter: I have enjoyed
working with the Chimes this past year or so,
and am handing it over to the next "secretary"
who would like this challenge....
 -3-
University of the South; The Episcopal
Theological Seminary of the Southwest (ours in
April Birthdays Austin); and Yale and Harvard Biblical Scholars.
All as taught in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas
 4 James Ritter (therefore, no known heresy).
 4 Liz Woody
HOW:
 13 Norma Helmcamp
We will be comfortable, interactive and enjoy the
 15 Andrew Jelson after-church refreshments. We can bring our
 16 Jeff Whitzel own opinions, but we must play well with others.
 18 Brady Brandon Guests are welcome and encouraged.
 18 John Love
 21 Gloria Noy DESIRED OUTCOME:
 23 Christopher Love Learn more about our beliefs and Bible while
 23 Rita Royle having a great time in Christian fellowship.
 24 Will Ford
 24 Patrick Love
 25 Emily Whitzel History of St. John’s Episcopal Church
 30 Lavinia Owen
The following article was compiled during the
presentation and dedication of the historical
Hospitality marker installed to the side of the front entrance.

 4/04/10 Tanya & Bill Our Presentation of Historical and dedication of

Kellner same was on April 18, 1993. Introduction –
 4/11/10 Suzie Zapalac & Kathleen Paul Herzog, Invocation – Rev. Peter Conaty,
Kelly History – J.D. Sartwelle, Sr., Presentation of
 4/18/10 Bonnie Onks & Carol Heath marker – Richard Cole, Reading of Inscription –
 4/25/10 Polly Goodner & Bobbie J. D. Sartwelle, Jr.
Sumerlin
Saint John’s Episcopal Church
This congregation was organized in 1885, five
BIBLE STUDY AT ST. JOHN’S years after the railroad town of Sealy was
founded. Among the Church’s early supporters
WHEN: was railroad official, George Sealy, for whom the
Sunday 11:15 to 12:00 town was named and who served on the
noon sharp. Missionary Board of the Episcopal Diocese of
Texas. The congregation’s first building, erected
WHERE: two blocks north of this site in 1889, was
Parish Hall at “THE ROUNDTABLE” destroyed in the 1900 hurricane. A new church
structure was built at this site in 1910.
WHAT: Throughout its history, Saint John’s church has
We will begin with the Gospel of Luke, which is served the community with worship, educational
the primary Gospel for this Church Year. and outreach programs.

WHO: St. John’s Episcopal Church was organized in

Eric LeBrocq will lead the study using material 1885 and the first church building was built two
developed by The School of Theology, blocks north of the present location in 1889.

This church building was destroyed by the
1900 Galveston hurricane. The bell and Bible,
which are on display in the present church
building are the only things remaining from
1889.
Services were held once a week in the
Methodist Church until the Mission was re-
organized on November 21, 1909 and it has
been in existence to the present time. The
Congregation purchased a quarter of a block of
land (lots 3 and 4 in the block number 40 from
Dr. William Schmoeller) and the monies for the
church building were given through the
generosity of Bishop George H. Kinsolving.
The present church building was constructed in
1910 by Marcus Kinkler at a cost of $2,650.00.
The cornerstone was laid on August 10, 1910
and the church was consecrated by the Bishop
on May 12, 1912. Mr. Lon Davis, an early
editor of the Sealy News and a Mr. Thomas
Watson were instrumental in securing the
present location for the church. Through the
interest of Mr. Herbert Smith, a conductor on
the Santa Fe Railway, the church in Temple,
Texas donated the present altar. This church
building stands at 6th street and Meyer (also
State Highway 36) today.
The church building was built by Marcus
Kinkler, a local contractor that built several
buildings and large homes in the Sealy area.
The church is entered through a small Narthex
at the Belfry. The Narthex has two stained
glass windows representing the Episcopal
Church of America and the Diocese of Texas.
Over the entrance is a stained glass Agnus
Dei. The Narthex opens to the Nave with its
open ceiling and dark stained beaded wainscot
and ornate oak pews matching the wainscot.
The stained glass windows in the Nave
represent the life of Christ, beginning on the
right as one faces the Altar, they are: The
Annunciation, Christmas, Epiphany, Jesus in
the Temple, Fisher of Men, Hand of God, the
Holy Spirit, Christ Ministry, Palm Sunday, The
Last Supper, The Crucifixion, and the
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Resurrection. In the Baptistry are two windows
symbolizing the Sacraments of Baptism and
Confirmation. In the gable over the Baptistry is a
circular window of an eagle symbolizing Saint
John the Evangelist. The Chancel is raised
three steps with a Sedilia and Prie Dleu on either
side. The Sanctuary is raised another step,
separated from the chancel by the Communion
Rail. In the Sanctuary are two stained glass
windows depicting the Sacrament of Holy
Communion.
This building has served the Episcopal
congregation of Sealy for over eighty years (as
of 1993). Included in its membership have been
many of Sealy’s founding fathers and most
prominent citizens. The building is on of Sealy’s
finest landmarks.
Early members of the Church included many of
the railroad people for which the City of Sealy
was founded by George Sealy of Galveston. Mr.
Sealy was an Episcopalian and served as
Treasurer of the Missionary Fund from 1881 until
1887. He continued to support missions such as
St. John’s financially as did Mrs. John Sealy. Dr.
and Mrs. R.W. Bostick were among the founders
of St. John’s in 1885 and Rebecca Bostick was
responsible for saving the bell and the bible after
the 1900 storm. The Bosticks were parents of
Addie Bostick who was married to Ernest W.
Josey at St. John’s on January 21, 1889. The
Joseys were active in the re-organization of St.
John’s in 1909. The Josey’s daughter, the late
Myrtle Josey Frazar was married in the church
on December 19, 1918 and was an active
member until her death January 13, 1990. Some
of the founding families of St. John’s were the
Bell family, the Lon Davis family, the Thomas
Watson family, the Josey family, the Hess family,
the Preibisch family, the Krampitz family, the
Hackbarth family, the Hillboldt family, the Frimel
family, the Koy family, the Hintz family, the
Meyer family, and the Engelking family.
Mrs. Janie Brechin wrote this news at our 94
year history mark:

In 1885 a small group of Episcopalians joined
together to become the first members of St.
John’s Episcopal Church of Sealy, Texas.
During the first years the congregation
Services were conducted at 7:30 each
Thursday evening by The Rev. George E.
Lloyd of Brenham who was assisted by lay
reader Harry Cassil. The doors of St. John’s
first church were opened in 1889. This building
which was located on Meyer St., directly
behind what is now the Sealy Hotel, was built
at a cost of $1500 and had a seating capacity
of 100 people. At this time, the priest in charge
was The Rev. C.I. Deurocke who was assisted
by lay readers Chas. Gorden and Dan
Haynes. The first Bishops Committee was
headed by Jack Castleton and Chas. Gorden.
After his March 12th visit in 1890, Bishop
Alexander Gregg recorded his notebook, “The
day was very inclement. I preached and
administered Communion, a few being
present. The church building is very comely
and a joy to the faithful here.”
In the early 1890’s St. John’s grew in
enthusiasm and membership and it seemed
there was nothing but smooth sailing ahead for
the young church. The next few years
however, saw the round house for the railroad
being moved to Bellville and with it went the
majority of the families of the congregation of
St. John’s. Faith dealt St. John’s an almost
fatal blow when the terrible storm of 1900
completely destroyed the church building.
Only the church’s Bible and bell were saved
and were left in the care of Mrs. R. W. Bostick
who was one of the St. John’s most dedicated
and devout members.
After the loss of the church, a few members
still met for worship services, mostly in each
other’s homes. The records show that in June
of 1909, this faithful group met with Bishop
Kinsolving to consider reorganizing St. John’s
Episcopal Church. Eight persons were
baptized at this time and arrangements were
made to hold weekly services in the Methodist
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Church. On November 21, 1909, the Bishop
visited again and confirmed nine adults into the
Episcopal Church. The Bishop also agreed to
arrange financing for a new church building to be
built on the one-fourth block plot at the corner of
Sixth and Meyer St. which had been purchased
by the congregation. The building was
contracted to Marcus Kinkler at a cost of $2650.
The second church building for St. John’s was
dedicated May 12, 1910. At that time the priest
in charge was The Rev. S. M. Bird and the
Bishops Committee was headed by Thomas
Watson and Lon Davis. The Bible and bell from
the first church were lovingly installed in the new
building signifying St. John’s too had weathered
the storm. The first altar came from a church in
Temple, Texas and the present pews are from a
church in Orange, Texas. Many additions have
been made to St. John’s over the years. A
vicarage, located behind the church, was built in
1953. A few years later, in 1959, a Parish House
was added.
The most recent, and certainly the most beautiful
addition to the church has been its stained glass
windows. There are fourteen windows which
depict important events in the life of Christ. Two
windows have symbols for Holy Communion.
The two round windows represent Christ the
King and St. John. The arched window over the
entry represents The Lamb of God. Two other
windows represent the Episcopal Church and the
Diocese of Texas. These beautiful windows
were obtained through the generous donations
of members and friends of St. John’s.
Bishops Gregg, Kinsolving, Quinn, Hines and
Richardson have been in charge of directing St.
John’s for the last ninety-four years. During that
time, eighteen priests have been in charge of
administering to the members. This includes it’s
present Vicar The Rev. Lester A. Thrasher, who
came to St. John’s in 1977.
Most of the members, at one time or other, have
served as lay readers, acolytes, or Sunday
school teachers or have been involved with the
 -6-
Altar Guild, Bishops Committee, or Episcopal with her beak, pulling with all her strength until
Church Women. So many faithful and the thorn came out. As she did, a drop of blood
dedicated members of St. John’s have fell on the Robin’s Breast, turning it a bright
contributed so much love, time, and toil that it crimson.
would be impossible to accurately
acknowledge their deeds. Today, Robin Redbreast, as she has come to be
known, modestly wears the color in memory of
The members of St. John’s are a church family, the day she was able to help the Savior of the
and as in all families each member contributes world.
to the family unit through their talents,
resources, wisdom and presence. There are a Who’ll Take the Son?
few distinctions however, which should be
recognized. The records show that Vollie
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare
Brooks, Irma Datwieler, Myrtle Frazar, Ellye
works of art. They had everything in their
Frimel, Leon Hackbarth, Elsie Hess, Hugo
collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would
Hess, Flora Hillboldt, Charles Krampitz, Frank
often sit together and admire the great works of
Krampitz, Bettie Kurtz, Ora Dell Newcom,
art.
Homer Preibisch, Melvin Preibisch, Alma
Westermann, Ruth Westermann, and Vallie
When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son
Whisenant have been members of St. John’s
went to war. He was very courageous and died
for fifty years or longer. Mrs. Myrtle Frazar is a
in battle while rescuing another soldier.
third generation member of St. John’s. Her
grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. R.W. Bostick were
The father was notified and grieved deeply for
among the founders of St. John’s in 1885. Her
his only son.
mother Addie Bostick, was married to her
father, e. W. Josey on January 21, 1889 in the
About a month later, just before Christmas, there
first St. John’s church. Mr. and Mrs. Josey
was a knock at the door.
were active in reorganizing St. John’s in 1909.
A young man stood at the door with a large
At ninety-two, Mrs. Ellye Frimel has the
package in his hands.
distinction of being St. Jon’s oldest member.
Through the years, all of the members of St.
He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the
John’s have had a common goal – to worship
soldier for whom your son gave his live. He
and serve God in a church they love.
saved many lives that day, and he was carrying
me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart
The Robin
and he died instantly. He often talked about you,
and your love for art.
At the foot of Calvary, little Robin saw a crowd
formed around a silent, sorrowful man who
The young man held out his package, “I know
labored unde4r the weight of a rough wodden
this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I
cross. The man was prodded along by the
think your son would have wanted you to have
Roman soldiers who, to humiliate and scorn
this.”
him, placed a mock crown of thorns on his
brow.
The father opened the package. It was a portrait
of his son, painted by the young man.
Seeing how cruelly the thorns on the dreadful
crown were wounding the poor man, Robin
He stared in awe at the way the soldier had
swooped down and tugged at the largest thorn
captured the personality of his son in the

painting. The father was drawn to the eyes
that his own eyes welled up with tears. He
thanked the young man and offered to pay him
for the picture.
“Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son
did for me. It’s a gift.” The father hung the
portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors
came to his home he took them to see the
portrait of his son before he showed them any
of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was
to be a great auction of his paintings.
Many influential people gathered, excited over
seeing the great paintings and having an
opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son.
The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will
start the bidding with this picture of the son.
Who will bid for this picture?” There was
silence. Then a voice in the back of the room
shouted.
We want to see the famous paintings. Skip
this one.
But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone
bid for this painting? Who will start the
bidding? $100, $200?”
Another voice shouted angrily. “We didn’t
come to see this painting. We came to see the
Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandts. Get on with the
real bids!”
But still the auctioneer continued.
“The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the
room. It was the longtime gardener of the man
and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.”
Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
-7-
“We have $10, who will bid $20?”
“Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.”
“$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?”
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t
want the picture of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for
their collections. The auctioneer pounded the
gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”
A man sitting on the second row shouted. “Now
let’s get on with the bidding.”
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry,
the auction is over.”
What about the paintings?
“I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this
auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the
will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation
until this time. Only the painting of the son would
be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting
would inherit the entire estate, including the
paintings. The man who took the son gets every
thing!
God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a
cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His
message today is, “The son, the son, who’ll take
the son?”
Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets
everything. Author unknown--