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As pioneers moved westward, the vast expanses of land often isolated them from each other and from a community world of celebrations, weddings, funerals, picnics, and worship. For many ranching families, faith and community were critical, and a church building often doubled as a school, serving as the central gathering point that anchored them to each other. These churches became unifiers for ranching communities, where scattered neighbors could come together for weekly worship, potluck meals, holiday sermons and to celebrate life’s important moments.

Trinity Mission, Undated.

The quaint Trinity Mission was added to the historical park at the National Ranching Heritage Center in 2021 to represent that aspect of ranch life. Built in 1910, the church was originally constructed on land donated by the Spur Ranch, which was owned by Swenson Land and Cattle Co., to accommodate surrounding ranch families. Since many of the early European financiers who purchased ranchland in Texas had ties to the Anglican Church, a strong Episcopal presence developed in ranching communities. The new church on Spur ranchland was named Trinity Mission.

As society became more urban and the nation entered into World War II, the little mission in the middle of ranch country became inactive.

When another congregation expressed a need for a church, the building was moved to Hereford, Texas, and renamed Saint Thomas Mission in time to hold a 1949 Palm Sunday service. After the Hereford congregation quickly outgrew the small building, the Northwest Texas Episcopal Diocese moved the church to Brownfield in 1955 and named it the Church of the Good Shepherd. It served as a place of gathering and worship to the surrounding ranching families until the last Brownfield service was held on Christmas Eve 2018.

Restored interior of the Trinity Mission. Photo by Hannah Hudgens.

After the church’s closure in Brownfield, the diocese donated the building and its furnishing to the National Ranching Heritage Center. More than $100,000 was raised to move the structure to its final resting place in Lubbock, set the foundation, restore the building to its original 1910 appearance, and support ongoing maintenance and preservation.

The Trinity Mission stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of community and fellowship, embodying the heart of cow country values—rooted deeply in faith and the shared human experience. The continued care and preservation of the Trinity Mission is sponsored by Spur Headquarters Ranch.

 

Restored Trinity Mission at the National Ranching Heritage Center. Photo by Adrian Hawkins, NRHC Communications Manager.