Honoring heroes — Stepheya George (far right), All Saints Episcopal Church of San Benito Vicar, sits with area first responders during the church’s luncheon honoring all first responders on Flag Day. (San Benito News/Ray Quiroga)
By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com
The congregation of a historic San Benito church fed over 100 first responders on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
All Saints Episcopal Church of San Benito, located at 499 N. Reagan St, hosted EMS, law enforcement, and firefighters Saturday, which also marked Flag Day across the nation. The meal consisted of a pre-prepared sack lunch featuring a pulled pork sandwich, chips, and a drink.
The first responders who participated in the event were not only San Benito-based but also came from the far corners of the county, and represented county agencies such as the sheriff’s department.
Dr. Jimmy Dominguez of All Saints Episcopal Church in San Benito, who has been with the church for the past decade, said that the event was conceived as a way for the congregation to show appreciation to first responders.
“We thank them for their service because their safety is our safety. Our safety depends on them. Our well-being depends on them; whether it’s a firefighter, a first responder for EMS, or a police officer, we’re always calling upon them. Whether it’s happening in church or at home, we’re always calling upon these guys, so we wanted to let them know that they are appreciated,” Dominguez said.
“The congregation and everyone came together,” said Church Vicar Stepheya George, standing near multiple tables where dozens of sack lunches sat ready for the grabbing. “We started yesterday and finished today.”
Dominguez later stated that participation exceeded expectations, as the church scrambled to purchase additional supplies to feed the growing number of first responders. He added that the church plans to organize a similar event every year due to the success they experienced this year.
As the second-oldest Episcopal Church in the Rio Grande Valley, All Saints Episcopal Church of San Benito has a rich history of service in the region and welcomes all to be part of the congregation, as the church is open to all and welcomes newcomers of all ages.
The mission of All Saints Episcopal Church is to continue the 100-plus years of service to Lord Jesus Christ by providing a welcoming and cohesive place for guidance and hope, according to the church’s website.
The church is in the jurisdiction of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.
Two early organizers of the church included Nettie G. King, who lived in San Benito and was the postmistress at Olmito, and Will Hinkly, an official of the San Benito Bank & Trust Co. These two attended services at the Episcopal Church of Brownsville along with others, including Ella Virginia Van Ness. They decided San Benito should have its church. The first services were held whenever a minister was available and wherever space was found.
The first Episcopal services held in San Benito were led by Rev. William Morrison in 1910 in the King Building, located on the corner opposite the San Benito Land and Water Co. building, and in the early Methodist church, according to an unsigned history of the All Saints Episcopal Church of San Benito. The undocumented account also notes that the First Episcopal Church, under the direction of Rev. Morrison, cost $2,000, excluding the price of the pews.
Episcopal services initially were held in a grocery store, a pool hall, or any other available location. Members of the congregation lit their way to services at night with lanterns, which were then hung on the walls to illuminate the meeting place.
According to the church’s website, the lot on which the new church was to have been built was given to the Episcopalians by the San Benito Land and Water Company. Still, because this land faced the wrong direction for summer comfort, it was exchanged for the one on which the church now stands, Lot 12, Block 31, Third Addition, on the corner of the 400 block of North Reagan and Adele Streets.
From the beginning, the women of the church worked to raise money for its needs, the first being the construction of a building. The fall bazaar was instituted in 1910. The ladies collected the fancywork they had labored on all winter long and arranged it carefully for sale.
For more information about the church, call (956) 399-1795.
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