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WHEN SAINTS GO MARCHING

Durden-Nelson’s third book Genesis - Beginning Again,
c. 2005, was no sooner released than the Bishop’s Committee of Comfort’s St. Boniface Episcopal Church asked Mae and Bill Nelson to head up planning the church’s 100th birthday celebration in June, 2006. At that time, Mae had been contemplating a trilogy with Son of Defiance and Genesis -- concerning the unusual development of Christianity in Comfort.  She suggested to the committee that she would volunteer to write that history with special emphasis on St. Boniface Episcopal Church; with the goal to have it published in a hardback coffee table book hopefully in time for the anniversary celebration. The church could commission the project; retain the copyright, with all proceeds going to the church. Mae suggested the title: WHEN SAINTS GO MARCHING.

After only a short discussion, the proposal was accepted and the church signed a contract with Eakin Press and the commissioned book became an official writing assignment.  The Rt. Rev. James Folts, the Bishop of the West Texas Diocese, was asked to write the Foreword. With his consent and blessing, the writing task began. It was August 1, 2005. Says Mae:

Most worrisome about the book was that in 1978 all St. Boniface history was destroyed in a horrendous flood of the Guadalupe River. However, there was “good news.” There were several pioneers willing to give oral history stories. There was already in existence a short 1982 history written by a pioneer church member, Laura Bradfield.  Plus, the West Texas Diocese had published in 1970 a 100-year account of the Episcopal Church in Texas. I was granted permission to incorporate all of it in our book! Even more exciting, generous people within the congregation and the Comfort community offered to share old photos. Hence, the project was “off and running.”

March 1st, 2006 was the deadline when the manuscript had to be in the publisher’s office.

Mae went to work -- sometimes at the computer eleven hours a day.

I brought the manuscript to the publisher on time saying, “I’ve spent nine months in hard labor and I’m ready to deliver! ”

Now it was up to Eakin Press.

Meanwhile, St Boniface church was simultaneously building a new church facility “on higher ground”. The anniversary celebration plans became tension filled. The BIG QUESTION:  Will the book and the church construction both be finished in time for the 100th festivity planned for June 10?

The church was dedicated May 28th .  Eakin Press drove to Comfort and personally delivered the books June 8.

After facing challenges to Christianity, battling floods that nearly destroyed the church building and, at times, struggling to keep its doors open in a community that rejected it in the beginning, St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Comfort has survived to tell a great story….” An excerpt from a full-page news story -- The Kerrville Daily Times, Dateline, June 9

St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Comfort will mark its 100th anniversary… and its new house of worship with a celebration Saturday, June 10…the congregation will welcome the community with an afternoon of praise music and tours of the new house of worship…-- The Boerne Star and Recorder, Boerne, Texas

When Saints go Marching, written by Mae and Bill Nelson, commemorates the establishment and history of one of Comfort’s older churches.  Saints, an attractive hardback book, published by Eakin Press of Austin, came to town Saturday, June 10…An inimitable Al Scott photograph graces the cover. The balance and the colors of the central stained glass window and the shadows of the cross in the church’s second sanctuary are without peer…--  Anne Stewart, THE COMFORT NEWS

…prepublication sales of the book (When Saints Go Marching) have been swift and will continue to be on sale in the St. Boniface church library June 10…--MARY ALICE’S POTPOURRI by Mary Alice Yelverton, writing for the Boerne Star and Recorder.

Comfort Episcopal Church marking 100 years…another highlight of the commemoration will be the first public viewing and signing of the 100 year history publication When Saints Go Marching written by Mae and Bill Nelson, published by Eakin Press.-- Fredericksburg Standard and Radio Post, Fredericksburg, Texas

I finally finished reading the history book after some delays -- it was good and interesting. Had to laugh about the “swaying old church”…loved Rev. Dean Pratt’s commentary of his people, what a bunch…Thanks once again for a well written book…enjoyed every page!-- Mrs. Elizabeth Seidensticker, Comfort, Texas

The consecration service was very special and the new building is simply beautiful…so much work and love has made it possible and it shows! And, to top it off for us, was your gift to us of your simply wonderful book. We can hardly put it down.  It is so thorough and so much of it we didn’t know at all.  It is a book we will treasure!-- Mabel and Maurice Haufler of  Kerrville Texas…who donated the ten acres enabling St. Boniface church’s move to higher ground.

The book is great!-- Rev. Bill Campbell, Littleton, CO

Kudos to the authors! Applause! Applause!  I am following your advice and reading the truly awesome story…a trip down memory lane…How fortunate the St. Boniface families, and all of Comfort, are to have the product of your labor of love.-- Marian (Lindner) Willenborg, Laguna Park, Texas