The Rev. Thomas Cain Fund
for Historic Black Churches
About the fund and the Rev. Thomas Cain:
This fund provides grants for the mission, programming, or maintenance of Historic Black Churches.
About the Rev. Thomas Cain
The Rev. Thomas Cain was the first priest of color in the Diocese of Texas. He was born into slavery in Virginia, later arriving in Galveston as a missionary priest. He was made deacon and priest by Bishop Francis McNeece Whittle, the fifth Bishop of Virginia, and he was in charge of St. Phillip’s Church for colored people in Richmond, Virginia for many years. He was a graduate of the very first class of the Bishop Payne Divinity School (a school that was founded in Petersburg, Virginia in 1878 to train African Americans for ministry in the Episcopal Church).
He transferred to the Diocese of Texas in 1888 and was placed in charge of St. Augustine’s Mission. Under his leadership, the congregation made great progress raising funds for a permanent chapel. By 1897, there were more than 180 active African American communicants, and a church was built in 1889 in the heart of Galveston. The first service was held on Ash Wednesday in 1889. Near the end of that year, a new chancel area had been constructed within the church, but on September 8, 1900, the Great Galveston Storm of 1900 washed away the church and rectory. Most unfortunately, the Rev. Cain and his wife both perished in the storm.
During his time in the Diocese of Texas the Rev. Cain represented the diocese at a General Convention, and he planted churches in East and Central Texas.
Photo of St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church, Galveston (Current structure)
Led by the Rev. Thomas Cain from 1887 until his death in the Galveston Storm of 1900.
During the storm, the original structure was destroyed and both the Rev. Thomas Cain and his wife lost their lives.
Photograph of the Rev. Thomas Cain not available.
Racial Justice Committee The Rev. Thomas Cain Fund for Historic Black Churches
Applications for this fund are available from October 31, 2023 until December 8, 2023.
To apply, fill out the form below or click here.
2021 Cain Fund Recipients
Congratulations to the following recipients of the Thomas Cain Fund:
St. Luke the Evangelist, Houston, East Harris Convocation, The Rev. Marcia Sadberry
St. James’, Austin, Austin Convocation, The Rev. Eileen O'Brien
St. Francis of Assisi, Prairie View, Central Convocation, The Rev. Rhonda Rogers
Hope, Houston, West Harris Convocation, The Rev. Michael LaRue (Priest-in-Charge)
St. James’, Houston, East Harris Convocation, The Rev. Victor Thomas
Historical Media:
Old parish photograph - St. Augustine of Hippo, Galveston
Date unknown
Photo credit: This Far By Faith publication, The Episcopal Diocese of Texas
