Artistic creativity fuels a Houston church’s mission
The Rev. Sarah Mast, curate at Holy Family Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, blesses the waters of baptism. A baptism parament by Lanecia A. Rouse hangs behind her. Photo: Hailie Durret
[Faith & Leadership] On any given Friday or Saturday, when many churches might be empty, a steady stream of visitors heads to Holy Family Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas. Despite the bell tower and steel cross above the entry, guests may not initially realize they are in a house of worship.
“Some people still enter and don’t know it’s a church,” said Chap Edmonson, Holy Family’s ministry operations director.
That’s because these visitors are looking for art, and they’ve come to the right place as they enter the Lanecia A. Rouse Gallery. Inside, an attendant offers a guest book and materials about the current show. To the left, a bright, airy space is carefully curated with art. Narrow windows illuminate the gallery’s white walls and polished concrete floors.
The nave rests just behind the welcome desk — and, as Edmonson explained — sometimes visitors, only after poking their heads through and seeing the waiting pews, ask if they are in a church.
“It happens all the time,” he said, smiling. “And it’s really cool.”
Edmonson encourages them to tour the building, since the artwork does not end with the gallery. Nine large abstract paintings by Rouse, the gallery’s namesake and the church’s artist-in-residence, grace the sanctuary, back hall and offices.
The paintings were commissioned by the vicar, the Rev. Jacob Breeze, before there were walls for hanging them, when the congregation was just being planted and members met in living rooms to shape a vision. The goal was to create “a church for people without a church.”
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