Our Parish History

Our Current Rector

In an announcement in the summer of 2019, the Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas, The Rt. Rev. Dr. George R. Sumner designated The Church of St. Dunstan as a pro-Cathedral and called St. Dunstan to a leadership role in East Texas under the direction of The Right Reverend Fraser W. Lawton, D.D., St. Dunstan's seventh Rector.

The Church of St. Dunstan began its history as an outreach mission to a rural community.   Today,  our parish serves as, not only the parish home to its members here,  for whom Bishop Lawton is their rector, but also as a resource to help support other smaller Episcopal missions and parishes in rural northeast Texas, for whom he is their Bishop.   

The Affiliated Parishes of Northeast Texas (APNET) is organization name for this function.  To learn more, click on the linked text.    

The First Parish Hall

Saint Dunstan's Episcopal Church broke ground for a Parish Hall at 800 N. Johnson St. in Mineola, on December 5, 1948. On Palm Sunday, April 10,1949, the first service was held in the newly constructed Parish Hall with 39 present. The first Church School was held on October 1, 1949, with sixteen students.

Today's Nave Section

On April 27, 1952, the first service was held in the new church building. Adult Bible Study following Evening Prayer was begun in January 1955. Parish status was attained January 1, 1956.

Early History of Parish Priests

The Rev. Henry Fullerton was the parish priest from its beginning until May 1963. The Rev. Henry Roberts, 1963 - 1964; The Rev. Ralph Woods, September, 1964-1983. The Rev. Michael Metcalf, 1983-1986. The Rev. R. E. McCrary, 1987 until January, 2001. During this time the construction of the new office wing and covered porch was added.

Addition of the Columbarium

The Columbarium, Memorial Wall and Courtyard were begun in 2004 and completed a year later.

Today's Facility

The Rev. Thomas A. Pantle succeeded Fr. McCray in September 2002. During his 16 year tenure the church grew, and several important additions were made to the parish facility which included the Columbarium, Memorial Wall and Courtyard, the new Parish Hall and the parking lot. Father Pantle retired in 2018.