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Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
Ruston
LA
71273
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Who we are
The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer is a vibrant, active Christian community with many opportunities for worship, prayer, study, and service. As you browse our website, you will find current information about programs sponsored by the Church. We invite you to come and be a part of any of our activities. If you need pastoral care or spiritual direction, please feel free to contact us.
God Bless
To Know Christ, To Love Christ, To be Christ in the World.
(Motto of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer)
God Bless
To Know Christ, To Love Christ, To be Christ in the World.
(Motto of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer)
Street Address
504 Tech Drive
Ruston,
LA
71273
United States
Phone: (318) 255-3925
Fax: (318) 255-1213
Download Episcopal Church of the Redeemer vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Father Frank W. Hughes, Ph.D.
Priest in Residence
504 Tech Drive
Ruston,
LA
71273
United States
Phone: (318) 255-3925
Fax: (318) 255-1213
Download Priest in Residence Father Frank W. Hughes, Ph.D. vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Denomination
Episcopal Church
Episcopal Churches in Ruston, Louisiana, United States
Episcopal Churches in Louisiana, United States
Episcopal Churches in United States
All churches in Ruston, LA
Affiliations:
Website:
Social Media
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer Ruston on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Father Frank W. Hughes, Ph.D.
Leader Position:
Priest in Residence
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
(318) 255-1213
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
He has served Episcopal Churches in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. He has most recently been Interim Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches, Texas.
A graduate of Texarkana, Arkansas, High School, he graduated from Hendrix College in 1975, with a major in religion. His Master in Divinity degree is from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, and he also earned the M.A. in New Testament and Early Christian Literature from the University of Chicago in 1981 and the Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1984. He was also a Fulbright scholar at the Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen, Germany. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas. He is secretary-treasurer of the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars. He has taught New Testament in training programs in four dioceses of the Episcopal Church. He was Senior Lecturer in New Testament at Codrington College in Barbados, in affiliation with the University of the West Indies. During his time in the Caribbean, he was an Appointed Missionary of the Episcopal Church.
Dr. Hughes’ research has focused on the letters of the Pauline corpus in the New Testament and how they used rhetoric. His work frequently combines rhetorical criticism, form criticism, and historical criticism in order to illuminate the historical situations in which Paul and others wrote the letters attributed to Paul. Dr. Hughes is the author of one book, co-author of another book, and author of sixteen articles and eight reviews.
A graduate of Texarkana, Arkansas, High School, he graduated from Hendrix College in 1975, with a major in religion. His Master in Divinity degree is from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, and he also earned the M.A. in New Testament and Early Christian Literature from the University of Chicago in 1981 and the Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1984. He was also a Fulbright scholar at the Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen, Germany. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas. He is secretary-treasurer of the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars. He has taught New Testament in training programs in four dioceses of the Episcopal Church. He was Senior Lecturer in New Testament at Codrington College in Barbados, in affiliation with the University of the West Indies. During his time in the Caribbean, he was an Appointed Missionary of the Episcopal Church.
Dr. Hughes’ research has focused on the letters of the Pauline corpus in the New Testament and how they used rhetoric. His work frequently combines rhetorical criticism, form criticism, and historical criticism in order to illuminate the historical situations in which Paul and others wrote the letters attributed to Paul. Dr. Hughes is the author of one book, co-author of another book, and author of sixteen articles and eight reviews.
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Episcopal Church of the Redeemer Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Dian Spence
Admin Position:
Parish Secretary
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
(318) 255-1213
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
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Parking
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer Ruston Service Times
Sunday Schedule
8:15 A.M. Early Mass in the Sanctuary
In-Person Worship
There is no Music during the 8:15 service
10:30 A.M. Mass in the Sanctuary
In-Person Worship and Live Streamed on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/RustonRedeemer
Service Times last updated on the 15th of November, 2023
8:15 A.M. Early Mass in the Sanctuary
In-Person Worship
There is no Music during the 8:15 service
10:30 A.M. Mass in the Sanctuary
In-Person Worship and Live Streamed on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/RustonRedeemer
Service Times last updated on the 15th of November, 2023
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer Photo Gallery
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer History
Church Beginnings
It all began 121 years ago when Col. and Mrs. Louis Fuller Marbury issued an invitation to Bishop Davis Sessums to preach at the Louisiana Chautauqua. The Louisiana Chautauqua, located a few miles north of Ruston on what was later known as Toma Lodge, was a corporation for literary, educational, and scientific purposes. Thus what was a simple sermon would result in an Episcopal Church in Ruston, Louisiana.
What is now the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer had its beginnings in the home of Mrs. W. M. Arnold on August 5, 1902, when fifteen women organized the St. Mary's Guild, the purpose of which was to forward an interest in the church. These fifteen women -- Mrs. Mary Ann Marbury Slaughter, Mrs. W. R. Lyman, Mrs. E. C. Moncure, Mrs. Lou Slaughter Flournoy, Mrs. L. F. Marbury, Mrs. W. M. Arnold, Mrs. Daisy Griswold, Mrs. Stephen E. Dillon, Miss Helen Colbert, Miss Helen Marbury, Mrs. J. L Perkins, Mrs. J. C. Place, Mrs. W. H. Quigg, Mrs. S. M. Burgess, and Mrs. Mattie Colbert -- immediately undertook a fund drive, which would enable them to build a church. A parcel of land on the corner of Bonner Street and Alabama Avenue was purchased in December 1904. In 1911, the cornerstone was laid for the first Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, just in time for the May wedding of Miss Helen Marbury to the Reverend Reginald Irving Raymond, one of several priests who served this early struggling mission.
The early church struggled, having only occasional services. In the 1920’s, cracks begin to appear in the walls and foundation. It was soon discovered that the building stood on quicksand. Attempts to save the building over the years failed and the lot and building were sold in 1942. All that remains are the four stained glass windows, which are in the library and hall of the current church offices. For the next six years, a small group of people met in private homes and on the Louisiana Tech campus. In 1948 the Reverend Robert E. Ratelle was appointed the Episcopal Chaplain to Louisiana Tech. By January 26, 1949, Redeemer was reorganized as a mission of the Diocese of Louisiana.
Tech Drive Location
In the 1940’s the Diocese of Louisiana undertook a project called the “Victory Fund Campaign” to raise money for the construction of college student centers and the Episcopal Youth Center at Camp Hardtner. With the help of these funds, in July 1949 ground was broken for a new all-purpose building at 504 Tech Drive. This new student center was officially dedicated on Sunday, May 12, 1950 under the direction of the Bishop Girault M. Jones. In January 1954 the Diocese granted mission status to the Church of the Redeemer, and the Fr. Ratelle became its first rector. The education building was built in 1958. Five years later, in 1963, the cornerstone for the new sanctuary was laid and it was dedicated on December 10, 1963. By April 28, 1974, the loan was paid in full. The church, looking to the future, purchased additional land in 1982. Extensive renovations to the Parish Hall and a wing for new offices was completed in 1984 and dedicated to the glory of God in 1985 with the naming of the parish hall Haskell Hall in honor of former member and church organist, Doris Burd Haskell, in recognition of the contribution from her estate.
Since 1949, the church has seen much growth, many changes, and met many challenges. On July 1, 1955, the Reverend Joseph N. Cathcart became the second rector for the church. Under his leadership, the church grew to 179 communicants in good standing with 230 Episcopal students at Louisiana Tech, giving a total, counting all baptized persons, of 475. In 1961, Redeemer held its first Men of the Church Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper—a tradition that has been carried yearly to date, except for the year 2020 when the church was in quarantine with the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Fr. Cathcart died August 26, 1966, at the age of 57. After his death, the Reverend William L. Worrell became the third rector on January 4, 1967. Fr. Worrell served the Redeemer for 19 years, 10-1/2 months. It was during his term as rector that a second Diocese was formed in the state and the Church of the Redemer became a part of the Diocese of Western Louisiana. This diocese comprised was then known as the telephone area code of 318. In May 1980 two stain glass windows were given to the church. The large window over the front doors represents the “Great Commission” donated by Sammie and Ellen Colvin and the other given by Fr. Worrell. During the week of June 10, 1984, stain glass windows representing the “Life of Christ” were installed in the nave and chapel. Fr. Worrell retired and in January 1987, the challenge of finding a new rector began.
On August 30, 1987, Reverend John S. David was installed as the fourth rector. Reverend David was the first priest in the history of the Church of the Redeemer to bring children to the parish with his 4 sons. In 1991 Fr. David resigned, and on September 13, 1992, the Reverend Richard D. Cloud was installed as the fifth rector. Shortly after his arrival, the church was presented with the gift of a 13-rank pipe organ by Fred and Shirley King. Under his leadership, plans were made for the creation of the Redeemer Prayer/Ash Garden. In April 1996, Fr. Cloud resigned as rector.
In August of 1996, the Reverend Edward M. Head accepted the call to be the rector of the Church of the Redeemer. His first Sunday was October 27, 1996. Fr. Head was officially installed as the sixth rector, on February 16, 1997 by Bishop Robert Hargrove. His tenure saw the building of the deck behind Haskell Hall, the renovation of the parish hall kitchen and the Sunday School building being completely renovated and renamed for the Reverend William L. Worrell. After serving 11 years as rector, Fr. Head retired November 30, 2007.
Year 2000 - Present
In January, 2008, the Reverend Paula Claire Hall was called as interim priest. Under the Bishop’s direction three committees were formed to guide the parish in the search for a new rector.
Later in 2008, the Reverend James G. Benbrook was called to be the seventh rector of the Church. He was installed on March 11, 2009, by the Right Reverend D. Bruce MacPherson, Third Bishop of the Western Diocese of Louisiana. Fr. Benbrook served until 2011.
In December 2011, the Reverend William R. “Bill” Easterling was called to be our interim priest, preaching his first sermon at the Redeemer on December 11th. Later in the year, he was called to be our rector and was installed on September 20, 2012, as the Eighth rector by the Right Rev. Jacob W. Owensby, Fourth Bishop of the Western Diocese of Louisiana. In 2019 Redeemer completed a re-fresh of their website, with church member Kevin Hawkins designing the website as well as adding new photography. The website can be found online at www.rustonredeemer.org. Fr. Easterling retired in July of 2019.
In November of 2019, the Reverend R Christopher Heying was called as our Ninth rector. Fr. Heying’s first Sunday was November 3rd, and he was officially installed as our rector on January 30, 2020, by the Right Rev. Jacob W. Owensby. During Fr. Heying’s tenure as our rector the world was plagued by the Covid-19 virus. Services were shut down for several months. During this quarantine, services were streamed Live on Facebook and have continued since. A YouTube channel was established to offer online in-depth bible studies as well as Episcopal traditions. This on-line ministry has expanded our presence outside the walls of the church.
Fr. Heying resigned February 15, 2021. After his departure, the vestry called the Reverend Frank W. Hughes to be our Priest-in-Residence until such time as the church can call a full-time rector. Fr. Hughes has been instrumental in Redeemer creating a YouTube channel (Search YouTube for Ruston Redeemer). He has posted videos on the Book of Matthew, the Coming of Christ, Liturgical colors, and Christianity 101 & 102, the Book of Mark, and many other topics.
The Church of the Redeemer began keeping official records in 1949. As of August 2023, there have been 1093 communicants, 406 baptisms, 647 confirmations, 169 marriages, and 228 burials. The these events in the life of the Episcopal Church in Ruston give promise to a bright future. Thanks be to God.
Submitted by: Fred Hamilton, Jr. - August 2023
It all began 121 years ago when Col. and Mrs. Louis Fuller Marbury issued an invitation to Bishop Davis Sessums to preach at the Louisiana Chautauqua. The Louisiana Chautauqua, located a few miles north of Ruston on what was later known as Toma Lodge, was a corporation for literary, educational, and scientific purposes. Thus what was a simple sermon would result in an Episcopal Church in Ruston, Louisiana.
What is now the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer had its beginnings in the home of Mrs. W. M. Arnold on August 5, 1902, when fifteen women organized the St. Mary's Guild, the purpose of which was to forward an interest in the church. These fifteen women -- Mrs. Mary Ann Marbury Slaughter, Mrs. W. R. Lyman, Mrs. E. C. Moncure, Mrs. Lou Slaughter Flournoy, Mrs. L. F. Marbury, Mrs. W. M. Arnold, Mrs. Daisy Griswold, Mrs. Stephen E. Dillon, Miss Helen Colbert, Miss Helen Marbury, Mrs. J. L Perkins, Mrs. J. C. Place, Mrs. W. H. Quigg, Mrs. S. M. Burgess, and Mrs. Mattie Colbert -- immediately undertook a fund drive, which would enable them to build a church. A parcel of land on the corner of Bonner Street and Alabama Avenue was purchased in December 1904. In 1911, the cornerstone was laid for the first Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, just in time for the May wedding of Miss Helen Marbury to the Reverend Reginald Irving Raymond, one of several priests who served this early struggling mission.
The early church struggled, having only occasional services. In the 1920’s, cracks begin to appear in the walls and foundation. It was soon discovered that the building stood on quicksand. Attempts to save the building over the years failed and the lot and building were sold in 1942. All that remains are the four stained glass windows, which are in the library and hall of the current church offices. For the next six years, a small group of people met in private homes and on the Louisiana Tech campus. In 1948 the Reverend Robert E. Ratelle was appointed the Episcopal Chaplain to Louisiana Tech. By January 26, 1949, Redeemer was reorganized as a mission of the Diocese of Louisiana.
Tech Drive Location
In the 1940’s the Diocese of Louisiana undertook a project called the “Victory Fund Campaign” to raise money for the construction of college student centers and the Episcopal Youth Center at Camp Hardtner. With the help of these funds, in July 1949 ground was broken for a new all-purpose building at 504 Tech Drive. This new student center was officially dedicated on Sunday, May 12, 1950 under the direction of the Bishop Girault M. Jones. In January 1954 the Diocese granted mission status to the Church of the Redeemer, and the Fr. Ratelle became its first rector. The education building was built in 1958. Five years later, in 1963, the cornerstone for the new sanctuary was laid and it was dedicated on December 10, 1963. By April 28, 1974, the loan was paid in full. The church, looking to the future, purchased additional land in 1982. Extensive renovations to the Parish Hall and a wing for new offices was completed in 1984 and dedicated to the glory of God in 1985 with the naming of the parish hall Haskell Hall in honor of former member and church organist, Doris Burd Haskell, in recognition of the contribution from her estate.
Since 1949, the church has seen much growth, many changes, and met many challenges. On July 1, 1955, the Reverend Joseph N. Cathcart became the second rector for the church. Under his leadership, the church grew to 179 communicants in good standing with 230 Episcopal students at Louisiana Tech, giving a total, counting all baptized persons, of 475. In 1961, Redeemer held its first Men of the Church Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper—a tradition that has been carried yearly to date, except for the year 2020 when the church was in quarantine with the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Fr. Cathcart died August 26, 1966, at the age of 57. After his death, the Reverend William L. Worrell became the third rector on January 4, 1967. Fr. Worrell served the Redeemer for 19 years, 10-1/2 months. It was during his term as rector that a second Diocese was formed in the state and the Church of the Redemer became a part of the Diocese of Western Louisiana. This diocese comprised was then known as the telephone area code of 318. In May 1980 two stain glass windows were given to the church. The large window over the front doors represents the “Great Commission” donated by Sammie and Ellen Colvin and the other given by Fr. Worrell. During the week of June 10, 1984, stain glass windows representing the “Life of Christ” were installed in the nave and chapel. Fr. Worrell retired and in January 1987, the challenge of finding a new rector began.
On August 30, 1987, Reverend John S. David was installed as the fourth rector. Reverend David was the first priest in the history of the Church of the Redeemer to bring children to the parish with his 4 sons. In 1991 Fr. David resigned, and on September 13, 1992, the Reverend Richard D. Cloud was installed as the fifth rector. Shortly after his arrival, the church was presented with the gift of a 13-rank pipe organ by Fred and Shirley King. Under his leadership, plans were made for the creation of the Redeemer Prayer/Ash Garden. In April 1996, Fr. Cloud resigned as rector.
In August of 1996, the Reverend Edward M. Head accepted the call to be the rector of the Church of the Redeemer. His first Sunday was October 27, 1996. Fr. Head was officially installed as the sixth rector, on February 16, 1997 by Bishop Robert Hargrove. His tenure saw the building of the deck behind Haskell Hall, the renovation of the parish hall kitchen and the Sunday School building being completely renovated and renamed for the Reverend William L. Worrell. After serving 11 years as rector, Fr. Head retired November 30, 2007.
Year 2000 - Present
In January, 2008, the Reverend Paula Claire Hall was called as interim priest. Under the Bishop’s direction three committees were formed to guide the parish in the search for a new rector.
Later in 2008, the Reverend James G. Benbrook was called to be the seventh rector of the Church. He was installed on March 11, 2009, by the Right Reverend D. Bruce MacPherson, Third Bishop of the Western Diocese of Louisiana. Fr. Benbrook served until 2011.
In December 2011, the Reverend William R. “Bill” Easterling was called to be our interim priest, preaching his first sermon at the Redeemer on December 11th. Later in the year, he was called to be our rector and was installed on September 20, 2012, as the Eighth rector by the Right Rev. Jacob W. Owensby, Fourth Bishop of the Western Diocese of Louisiana. In 2019 Redeemer completed a re-fresh of their website, with church member Kevin Hawkins designing the website as well as adding new photography. The website can be found online at www.rustonredeemer.org. Fr. Easterling retired in July of 2019.
In November of 2019, the Reverend R Christopher Heying was called as our Ninth rector. Fr. Heying’s first Sunday was November 3rd, and he was officially installed as our rector on January 30, 2020, by the Right Rev. Jacob W. Owensby. During Fr. Heying’s tenure as our rector the world was plagued by the Covid-19 virus. Services were shut down for several months. During this quarantine, services were streamed Live on Facebook and have continued since. A YouTube channel was established to offer online in-depth bible studies as well as Episcopal traditions. This on-line ministry has expanded our presence outside the walls of the church.
Fr. Heying resigned February 15, 2021. After his departure, the vestry called the Reverend Frank W. Hughes to be our Priest-in-Residence until such time as the church can call a full-time rector. Fr. Hughes has been instrumental in Redeemer creating a YouTube channel (Search YouTube for Ruston Redeemer). He has posted videos on the Book of Matthew, the Coming of Christ, Liturgical colors, and Christianity 101 & 102, the Book of Mark, and many other topics.
The Church of the Redeemer began keeping official records in 1949. As of August 2023, there have been 1093 communicants, 406 baptisms, 647 confirmations, 169 marriages, and 228 burials. The these events in the life of the Episcopal Church in Ruston give promise to a bright future. Thanks be to God.
Submitted by: Fred Hamilton, Jr. - August 2023
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer Historical Photos
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