In 1866, the first Bishop of Texas, Rt. Reverend Alexander Gregg, D.D., held the first Episcopal service in Wharton. For a space of fifteen years, there was no mention of any activity by the Episcopal Church in Wharton until 1881 when Bishop Gregg referred to a service of Holy Communion with the Baptism of two children in June of 1880.

The first church was built at the West Milam location in 1898, rebuilt in 1902, and consecrated in 1903. The St. Thomas’ Guild was organized in 1911. During this time, the Guild was busy remodeling and rebuilding St. Thomas’ Church. In 1916, the Guild was meeting every Monday. The members worked hard to raise twenty dollars a month to go towards the salary of A. J. Gaynor Banks, priest-in-charge. It was proposed to the Guild that he would relinquish the church in Sealy and provide more services for Wharton. In 1917, Mr. Banks asked for a meeting of the entire congregation for the formation of a vestry, this indicating that the church was about to achieve parish status.

On February 2, 1920, St. Thomas’ Church was admitted as a parish, and the Rev. George Ossman became the first rector. That same year, Dr. Ossman organized the first Altar Guild. The Altar Guild gradually became inactive, at times with only one member trying to carry on. In 1937, due to the number of Episcopalians and to the increased interest in the church’s services, weekly Lenten services were started in the Methodist Church of Newgulf. The service grew from a small group of Episcopalians to a large community project, participated in by all denominations. Had it not been for the wonderful cooperation and fellowship between the Methodist and Episcopalian groups, these services could not have been possible.

In 1943, the Rev. John Larson became rector and the church had 193 communicants. By 1944, the need for a new church or the moving of the old church to a new location was urgent. The parish had now grown to 226 communicants and the Milam street neighborhood on the west end had so deteriorated that parking, noise and confusion did not make for an atmosphere conducive to worship.

In 1946, the Rev. Raymond Denton came as deacon-in-charge, and later, upon his ordination to priesthood, became rector. It was this year that the church was seriously damaged by a storm. In 1947, the Altar Guild was reorganized to include ten members and became very active.

The Rev. Robert L. Johnson came to us as rector in February 1948. At a vestry meeting in February of 1949, bids were opened for moving the old church building on West Milam to a new location on North Rusk. In the fall of 1949, the vestry of St. Thomas’ was confronted with the problem of moving the old church from West Milam Street to the lot that had been purchased on North Rusk.

On January 2, 1950, the vestry was authorized to proceed with a new church building. Hiram Salisbury of Houston was engaged as architect, and, subsequently, a contract was let to the Telepson Construction Company. The actual construction began in January of 1950. The Rev. Robert L. Johnson was still rector during the building program, which he guided to completion with the dedication of the new church.

The Rt. Rev. Clinton S. Quin, Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, officiated at the Dedication and Blessing of the new St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church on October 7, 1950. The service of Dedication and Blessing was rich in traditional ceremony.

The ceremony included the processional of the Bishop to the locked front door of the Church where he knocked on the portal with his Pastoral staff. As the Bishop knocked for admittance the Senior Warden was there to receive him and the choir, Wardens, Vestry, Clergy and the Bishop filed down the center aisle into the chancel where the sentence of Dedication was read and placed on the altar. Bishop Quin preached the morning sermon and the choir and soloists gave special music. All of Wharton was invited to attend the impressive service.

The service on October 7, 1950, was the first worship service held in the new Church. The rector, Rev. Robert L. Johnson said, “Members and friends of St. Thomas’ Parish family, rejoice upon this occasion for it marks the fulfillment of a long period of earnest effort.”