Patron Saint of Travelers Traditional Cache

#1

🙌🏻 🎉🎉 Congratulations to randymiles03 for FIRST TO FIND!  🎉🎉🙌🏻
This cache is the first of my series to highlight the variety of churches in Portland and introduce folks to some religious history along the way. I chose this as number 1 because of the wonderful courtyard I was able to utilize in the hide. Father John has quite literally blessed the placement of the cache and welcomes geocachers to enjoy the campus and invites anyone who is interested to get in touch and ask him any questions they may have. Father John has shared the following message and history of the church:

The first Episcopal Liturgy held in Portland, Texas was on December 23rd, 1955, in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Everett Wilson.  A priest traveled from Corpus Christi to lead that first service.  During the next several months, other priests came from Corpus Christi, meeting at the Wilson Home, until The Right Reverend Earl Diccus, Bishop of the Diocese of West Texas came to Portland on March 14th, 1957, and established Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea as a Mission Church, assisted and aided by Church of the Good Shepherd in Corpus Christi.  

 

The Church moved to its current location in 1962 with the first of three structures that have occupied this place.  In February of 1984, the Second Church was destroyed by a fire, including all of the Church Records and classrooms.  Construction began on the current building, and was dedicated on May 15, 1991 with The Right Reverend John MacNaughton presiding.

 

Saint Christopher's achieved Parish Status for the second time in 1995 at the Diocesan Council held that year.  While this parish is small, it is a dynamic church that continues to reach out to help those in need throughout San Patricio County and around the world.  

 

We invite you to take one of the medallions or figurines as you continue on your travels.  Saint Christopher is the Patron Saint of Travelers.  These medallions and figurines were blessed on our Patron Feast Day Celebrations on July 30th, 2023 as part of our 65th Anniversary Celebration.

 

May the Peace of the Lord be with you and those whom you love now and always.-- 

The Rev'd John L. Blackburn

Priest-in-Charge

Saint Christopher's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church

Portland, Texas