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History of the Diocese of Fort Worth
 The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth formed in 1983 after the decision was
made to divide the existing Diocese of Dallas into two dioceses.
The Diocese of Fort Worth consists of 56 congregations serving 24 North
Central Texas counties. Major cities in the diocese include Fort Worth,
Arlington, Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Wichita Falls, Grand Prairie, Keller,
Brownwood, and Stephenville. We have 128 ordained clergy with approximately
19,000 communicants.
The diocesan offices are located on the west side of Fort Worth near the
intersection of I-30 and Loop 820. The address is 2900 Alemeda Street, Fort
Worth, Texas 76108.
The Right Reverend Jack Leo Iker has served as the third Diocesan Bishop of
Fort Worth since 1995. His predecessors are the Rt. Rev. A. Donald Davies
and the Rt. Rev. Clarence C. Pope, Jr
From its inception, the Diocese of Fort Worth has committed itself to the
proclamation and practice of a traditional, biblically-centered faith. There
is a diversity of worship in the diocese that ranges from traditional
Anglo-Catholic spirituality to Evangelical expression. The churches of the
diocese continue to grow steadily as a direct result of our commitment to a
traditional expression of Anglicanism and the fact that many of the North
Texas communities we serve are young and growing.
One of the most exciting ministries in the diocese takes place at Camp
Crucis Retreat and Conference Center. Located in Granbury, Texas, the
geographic center of the diocese, the facility is the diocesan camp for
youth and also serves as a year-round conference center for all ages. Its
summer program is comprised of weeklong camping sessions for school-aged
children. The summer program includes recreation, worship, and Bible study,
and many lasting friendships are formed. Thanks to a building project in
2001-02, the camp now has meeting rooms and overnight facilities for youth
and adult retreats and conferences; programs operate year-round. A chapel
for corporate worship is the spiritual heart of both the camp and conference
center.
Diocesan outreach programs include mission work in Mexico and the African
nation of Malawi. Locally, our churches have helped to build seven Habitat
for Humanity homes in the last six years. Clergy-led ministries are provided
to students at four local colleges and universities.
The Annual Convention of the diocese occurs in November. Each congregation
is represented at the convention by both clergy and laity. The diocese is
divided into six (6) deaneries. The Fort Worth East and Fort Worth West
deaneries take in the congregations in the diocese’s most populous city. The
Eastern Deanery is comprised of congregations in the “mid-cities” of the
Metroplex. The Southern, Western, and Northern Deaneries take in the rural
congregations, as well as the cities of Wichita Falls, Stephenville, and
Brownwood.
The diocese takes seriously its ministry to the Hispanic community. The
parish of Iglesia San Juan Apostol in south Fort Worth was established in
1985 and now has over 300 communicants. In 1999, with the arrival of Fr.
Sergio Diaz, Iglesia San Miguel was organized. In addition, there are
ongoing hispanic mission efforts at the churches of St. Anne’s, Fort Worth,
and Ascension/St. Mark's, Wise County.
1999 also saw the formation of the thriving congregation of St. Philip’s,
Arlington, as a ministry to the immigrant African community. Ground was
broken in late 2004 for the congregation’s permanent home.
In 2002 an additional church was planted in the Park Glen area of far north
Fort Worth. St. Barnabas the Apostle is a strong and growing mission meeting
each Sunday at Lone Star Elementary in Keller.
Ten congregations in the diocese sponsor schools, offering programs for
children from preschool through high school.
The mission statement of the diocese is “To Equip the Saints for the Work of
Ministry.” Taken from Ephesians 4:12, the phrase sums up the diocesan
mission to build up our people for the purpose of taking Christ's love to
the world.
We believe the Diocese of Fort Worth is poised for its best years as it
continues to stand firm in the traditional expression of Anglicanism.
January 2005
The Seal of the Diocese of Fort Worth
The official seal of the Diocese of Fort Worth was designed by Mr. Eugene
Maxey, The Rev. Messrs. Harrison Beste, William Crary and William Risinger. Mr. Maxey, a member of St. Andrew's, is an expert in the science of heraldry
and holds membership in heraldry societies in America, England, Scotland and
Canada.
Each diocese of the Anglican Communion has an official seal which reflects
something of the nature of the life of the diocese. In this seal our
heritage and our commitment to our Lord's mission are artistically set
forth.
Fort Worth, the See City, is indicated by the fortress battlements which
divide the Shield through the center horizontally.
The Longhorn Steer, a symbol of a major industry within the diocese, is also
a reminder of the frontier spirit and the venturesome nature of the poeple
of God in this part of the country.
The Star, has a two-fold meaning. In Christendom the five pointed star
symbolizes the Incarnation. It also stands for the Lone Star State of Texas.
The Griffin, symbol of guardianship of the Faithful, is in the upper left
corner. The Griffin, half lion and half eagle, is an ancient symbol used by
the Celtic people of Great Britain. Bishop Alexander Charles Garrett, an
Irishman, utilized the Griffin in the Seal of the Diocese of Dallas to
indicate our heritage with the Church of England.
We chose the Griffin because of our Welsh heritage and our linkage with the
Diocese of Dallas. Of great significance is the fact that the Apostolistic
succession of the American Episcopate flowed through David, Patron Saint and
Bishop of Wales.
The Keys of St. Peter, depict the authority of the Apostolic ministry
bestowed upon the Church by our Lord.
The Bishop's Staff, in black and silver, resembles the crozier used by the
Bishop. Both the presiding Bishop and I were once rectors of Grace Church,
Monroe, Louisiana. We had identical croziers which were presented to
us as thank-offerings by the people of Grace Church.
The banner carries a motto: Los Brazos De Dios or "The Arms of God." Written
in Spanish to reflect the Hispanic culture in Texas, the motto is a reminder
of our Servanthood. While Christians are upheld and supported by "the arms
of God," Christians are cognizant that by His Grace we are to be "the arms
of God" in the Lord's work and mission in today's world.
by the Right Reverend A. Donald Davies, I Bishop of Fort Worth
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