Sacred Places Walking Tour

This tour will visit a dozen of the most historic places of worship in the downtown area, as we learn the history of those denominations in Texas and their early clergy, from Sumner Bacon, the first Presbyterian missionary in Texas who was denied a preaching license because he was illiterate but came anyway, to Rabbi Henry Cohen, who funneled thousands of Jewish refugees through Galveston and into the American Midwest. This tour will meet up at the 1860 Saint Joseph’s German Catholic Church at 22nd Street and Ave. K. Curb parking.

These experiences are led by an authorized representative of Galveston Historical Foundation, and feature authentic and researched stories and histories.

TOUR NOTES

• Please wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water and snacks as needed
• Check-in starts 15 minutes before tour
• Reservations are non-refundable
• This is a walking tour and does not include entrance into any churches except for the 1859 St. Joseph's Church

ABOUT JIM HALEY | The author of 25 books, James L. Haley is one of the best-known chroniclers of Texas history. Most notable is his long-standing biography, Sam Houston, and his 600-page history of Texas, Passionate Nation. Among several prizes he has won the Western Writers of America Spur Award twice, and the Texas Historical Commission Book Award twice. He is a fellow of the Texas State Historical Association and a member of the Texas Institute of Letters. He is most proud of his tenure as a tour guide at the Texas State Capitol, where he often got in trouble for telling more history than he was supposed to.

ABOUT GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION | GHF was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County. Over the last sixty years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, coastal resiliency and stewardship of historic properties. GHF embraces a broader vision of history and architecture that encompasses advancements in environmental and natural sciences and their intersection with historic buildings and coastal life and conceives of history as an engaging story of individual lives and experiences on Galveston Island from the 19th century to the present day.

Host or Publisher Galveston Historical Foundation