The Story of the Bell Tower: St. James', La Grange Completes Restoration

In August 2017 a fierce hurricane almost destroyed the lovely neo-Gothic tower of the architecturally iconic St. James’ Episcopal Church in La Grange, TX. The sanctuary and bell tower damaged by Hurricane Harvey underwent repair starting in 2017.

St. James’ became a physical entity when the sanctuary was completed in 1885-86. The bell tower must have been commissioned later because the 711-pound bell was shipped from its foundry in West Troy (now Watervliet), New York arriving in La Grange in 1892.

A National Park Service grant for hurricane damaged historical sites funded the non-reimbursed restoration expense. The program was administered by the Texas Historical Commission. The project was fully funded and completed in 2022. This work was rededicated by Bishop Kai Ryan.

St. James’, La Grange, describes itself as a welcoming worship community where God's presence is felt, and from which we are sent to proclaim Christ's love and serve others.