How we were founded

Ellen Whitley along with her husband Marquis (Mark), started the gears turning that was

and continues to be an Episcopal Church in Wise County, Texas.

In November 2014, Ellen contacted the then Diocese of Fort Worth asking if there was

something they could do for Episcopalians as there was no church in rural Wise County.

Bishop Rayford High met with the couple in their home and suggested they reach out to

others who may be interested in supporting them in their endeavor. Bishop High asked

Deacon Tracie Middleton to assist and she set up a lunch date after the first of the year

2015, meeting in Boyd, Texas. Several people from North Texas attended.

The second lunch meeting was held in Decatur. That was when the small group

decided to continue meeting every Sunday in each other’s homes. The first meeting

was held in Ellen and Mark’s dining room on March 15, 2015, and their church was

called Episcopal Church in Wise County. It wasn’t long when opportunities arose which

allowed the group to meet in a county community center, and then finally the little white

chapel which used to be Church of the Ascension where they continue to worship today.

Mark built beautiful furnishings including a portable altar, ambry, baptismal font,

credence table, lectern, Advent candle stand, altar candle holders, and altar book stand

for the church.

At the November 2017 Diocesan Convention held in Cleburne, TX, Episcopal Church in

Wise County was given Mission status. It was then they decided to change their name.

Early in 2018 they voted to become Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. It was the

third time the rented church building held an Episcopal Church. The name Resurrection

seemed appropriate.

They continue to meet at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday.