THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF
THE ANNUNCIATION
Lewisville, Texas
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US
Thank you for visiting us and taking the time to explore the many facets of our community’s life and our many ministries. We hope you will join us for Sunday worship and feel welcomed by our family of faith.
OUR HISTORY
On Easter Day, April 1961,
The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation held its first worship service as a mission congregation.
The Venerable Thomas Carson, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Dallas, served as priest-
A major gift from Mrs. Lillian Harper made it possible to purchase three acres on Main Street near Valley Parkway. Later, a trade with H.L. Hunt Properties provided the present location and a permanent structure built in 1970. Today, this building serves as the parish hall and provides classrooms for Montessori Episcopal School. In 1972 an education building was completed which serves as the main building for MES.
After many clergy faithfully served Annunciation as vicar, in 1975, under the enthusiastic leadership of the Reverend Livingston Merchant, Annunciation was accepted by the diocesan convention as a parish. Father Merchant was subsequently appointed Annunciation's first rector. In Advent, 1977, the Reverend Richard G. Copeland became the second rector, serving until 1981.
As southern Denton county began its amazing population growth, the Reverend William Blewett became the third rector in April, 1982. He and the vestry began planning ways to respond to the growing population and on Easter Eve in 1989 the church moved to its new sanctuary.
The growth of the region, however, coincided with a time of conflict at the national level of the Episcopal Church. In Lewisville, Annunciation faced a dwindling income even as it moved into its new building. Also in 1989, the church reverted to mission status and Father Blewitt retired as rector.
For the next 15 months Annunciation went without a permanent rector but was ably served by supply priests. The Rev. Charles Richard Carlisle added stability by serving for the last six months of this period.
In July, 1990, the Rev. Canon David W. Holland became Vicar of Annunciation. Under his leadership, Sunday attendance has grown from an average of 60 people with one Liturgy to 375 by September, 2004 with three Sunday Liturgies. In 1996, he was elected Rector.
In 2011 we bid farewell to Fr. David upon his retirement and selected a search committee to help us find a new rector.