St. Cecilia’s, Fayette County’s Newest Church, Finds a Home in Round Top

St. Cecilia’s, Fayette County’s Newest Church, Finds a Home in Round Top

A Monthly Feature by JESSICA MONTEZ

Round Top may be home tothe well-known antique show, but as of late 2021, the town gained another interest of the spiritual kind, the St. Cecilia’s Episcopal Church located in the historic Haw Creek Chapel in Henkel Square.

“It was an idea that we believe was divinely inspired. We felt led here.” said William “Father Bill” Miller, one of St. Cecilia’s founders and pastor. “My wife, Sandy, and I started dating in December of 2019 and our first out-of-town trip was to Round Top right after Christmas where I was to officiate a wedding at the Haw Creek Chapel in Henkel Square. Talk about serendipity, we had no clue that would be our future spiritual home.”

Miller continued, “We were newly married and felt that God was calling us to a new ministry in a place where we could have a fresh start together. One day, we were out walking our dogs in Louisiana and we both turned to each other at the same time and said ‘Let’s move to RoundSeeNew Church,Top!’ We felt drawn to Round Top with its wonderful mix of charm, music, creativity, traditional Texas, innovative thinking, food, and people. There’s a “can-do” spirit here and a beautiful sense of caring for this special place. It’s a magical, mystical place where creative dreams are birthed and thrive.”

Miller was born and raised in Houston and has lived in Abilene, Austin, Kauai (Hawaii), Chicago, and the New Orleans area. He enjoys helping spiritual communities grow, thrive, and reaches out to make a difference in the world. Music has been a primary passion in his life and he has even founded music festivals. He was also the owner of a music venue in Marfa called Padre’s. He is the author of three popular books. He is also the driving force behind The Howlelujah Foundation, which is helping animals throughout the world and has a partner organization in Cape Town, South Africa.

As many know it is rare locally that a new church starts in Fayette County but especially one in a town of 87 residents. “When I first approached the Episcopal Diocese of Texas with the crazy idea of planting a new church in a town of 87 residents, I didn’t know how it would be received,” said Miller. “As it turned out, it was received enthusiastically. We have great leadership in this Diocese that is visionary and supportive of creative ideas. Sandy and I both loved the idea of being partners in a brand new ministry initiative that the spirit could shape from the beginning.”

For the Miller’s Saint Cecilia who is the patron saint of musicians and creators was the only fitting name. “It felt right to call the new creative spiritual community Saint Cecilia’s,” said Miller. “Our church is committed to supporting those who inspire us through the arts. We also recognized that Round Top attracts an extraordinary assortment of folks who have had great success in business and in life. What is missing for some of those folks is a vibrant, life-giving, and healthy expression of spirituality. All of us long deeply for some sort of spiritual connection whether we may realize it or not.”

Speaking of creativity one hugely important part of the church is music.

“Music is so important to us and has been a hallmark of my ministry wherever I’ve lived,” said Miller. “The arts lead usto a deeper relationship with God. Music, especially, can transcend mere words and take us to a deeper place of connection. Over the years, I’ve been privileged to collaborate with musicians across the world and I’ve led church services that paid tribute to Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, the Beatles, Elvis, Van Morrison, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Mr. Rogers, and many more.”

So of course, Saint Cecilia’s was no exception. “We knew from the beginning that we needed a great musician for Saint Cecilia’s and when we first moved here in the early summer of 2021, I was asked to preach and officiate at a church in College Station and while there, Joey McGee just happened to have been asked to provide music that Sunday,” said Miller. McGee is a New Orleans native and his music is infused with a unique blend of soul, country, rock, blues, gospel – and a good dose of New Orleans soul. Miller continued, “Joey has been such a blessing to our community. He is a person of deep faith who can play and sing anything. And at Saint Cecilia’s, we do everything so Joey might lead us in a traditional hymn or a contemporary praise song, as well as share a Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Townes Van Zandt, or Curtis Mayfield tune. So much music has a spiritual message to impart, whether we consider it “church” music or not.”

Along with the great music every Sunday, the church host several concerts, literary events,and creative services. “For the next year, we are contemplating some special offerings including a “Jazz to the World” Christmas Celebration, a “Good News on Good Friday” Gospel service, and tribute services to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Townes Van Zandt,” said Miller. “We’ve also hosted a comedy show because other than music and the arts, humor, and laughter provide additional fast tracks to spiritual truth.”

The reception of something new in a small town may lead to mixed feelings but the Millers have found that they might be exactly what Round Top and the surrounding communities needed. “So many local folks have said to us: “This church community is exactly what I needed in my life,” said Miller. They have found that the church community extends to include long-time residents, newcomers, weekenders, visitors, retirees, and young families with children. Some of the people have even driven more than an hour to attend.

“Yes, It has been overwhelming and surprising but gratifying indeed,” Miller said. “I remember telling the Bishop that we might attract 30 folks or so for our in-person service and perhaps hundreds through our virtual recorded services but as it turns out we rarely have fewer than 50 and have thousands of viewers each week from all over the world watching our recorded services. We are seriously considering adding a second service on Sundays,” said Miller.

Also, don’t worry about feeling behind our lost because Saint Cecilia’s has that covered too. “We have so many people who are joining us from a variety of religious backgrounds and faith traditions or we have many coming from no particular religious affiliation and those who have not attended any sort of formal church service for decades so we have Discovery Day three times per year as an opportunity to learn more about the Christian faith, the prioritiesof Jesus, and the Celtic roots of our Episcopal tradition. We also have vibrant Men’s and Women’s Group ministries that include the Living Compass Wellness Curriculum, Spiritual Practices, Bible Study, Fellowship, and much more,” Miller said. “We are also planning to be more intentional about Couples Ministry, and Children and Youth Ministry over the next year but of course, our Saint Cecilia’s Music and Literary Series will continue and expand.”

In addition to the worship services and classes, the church is committed to helping and working with many other organizations. “We love animals at Saint Cecilia’s,” Miller said. “I believe that dogs would have to be rated as God’s best work so several of our events have also functioned as opportunities to support the Janssen Animal Shelter like the offering from our Animal Blessing which is coming up again on October 2nd and from our comedy show all went to the Janssen Shelter. We are hoping to offer a Bow Wow Film Festival sometime next year that will raise more funds for Janssen. We also support the beautiful outreach being done across the globe by Episcopal Relief and Development.”

If you would like to learn more about Saint Cecilia’s, the Miller’s, or the Episcopal faith visitwww.stceceilias.org,or if you find yourself in Round Top on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. then just stop in and come as you are. Father Bill will welcome you in.