UPDATE on Partners:
Texas Office
St. Mary of the Assumption
Catholic Church was always
recognized as a prominent
landmark on Magnolia Avenue
and a vibrant center of worship,
education, and social activity for
the near south side of Fort Worth.
Eighty years later, however, St.
Mary’s was faced with difficult
challenges. The surrounding
community had seen enormous
change, much of which took a
direct toll on the congregation.
St. Mary’s was being tested by
withering membership and
attendance, diminishing financial
resources, and accumulating
building repair costs beyond
its capability, all at a time when
this once thriving neighborhood
needed its outreach services more
than ever before.
Craftsmen restore the stunning stained glass windows at St. Mary of the Assumption
Catholic Church in Fort Worth, TX, thanks, in part, to grants from Partners for Sacred
Places.
In 2006, St. Mary’s became one of the first Fort Worth
congregations to work with Partners for Sacred Places’
Texas Office. Father David Bristow, accompanied by a
small team of congregants, enthusiastically participated
in Partners’ New Dollars/New Partners program.
Father Bristow explains, “The New Dollars training
process gave our team a vision for the future.” The
congregation was determined to grow its membership,
continue its community outreach, and raise the funds
needed to provide the care that this beautiful structure
Texas Advisory Board Members
James R. Nader, FAIA, Chair
Kenneth Barr
Diane Bumpas
Richard H. Bundy, AIA
Louise B. Carvey
Robert I. Fernandez
Donald Gatzke, AIA
Krista Gebbia
Marty Leonard
Robert F. Pence, PE
The Reverend Brenda W. Weir
Ex Officio
Fernando Costa
Randle Harwood
William J. Thornton, Jr.
so desperately needed and deserved. They were
determined to survive.
Today, St. Mary’s membership has grown beyond 2,000
– with more than 2,400 worshippers in attendance on
a recent Sunday. Its community outreach programs
are strong, and it is clear that this historic structure
is well loved and cared for. Under Father Bristow’s
leadership, the original hardwood floors have been
refinished, a new heating and air conditioning system
installed, and there is a new sound system. Partners
awarded St. Mary two grants to help restore its majestic
stained glass windows: a seed grant of $5,000 to obtain
a professional assessment and a $10,000 capital grant
to be applied directly toward the cost of restoration
services. According to Father Bristow, “The grants
were used to leverage more gifts toward our restoration
projects. I don’t think we would be in this position
without Partners for Sacred Places.” The windows made
their long journey home this past March, and have
once again taken their rightful place in a prominent
treasured landmark on the near south side of Fort
Worth.
Sacred Places • Summer 2012 • 10