James S. Johnston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend James Steptoe Johnston DD
Bishop of West Texas
Bishop Johnston
Church	Episcopal Church
Diocese	West Texas
Elected	October 1887
In Office	1888-1916
Predecessor	Robert W. B. Elliott
Successor	William Theodotus Capers
Orders
Ordination	December 22, 1869 (deacon) April 30, 1871 (priest)
Consecration	January 6, 1888 by Richard Hooker Wilmer
Personal details
Born	(1843-06-09)June 9, 1843 Church Hill, Mississippi
Died	November 4, 1924(1924-11-04) (aged 81) San Antonio, Texas
Buried	Mission Burial Park South, San Antonio
Nationality	American
Denomination	Anglican
Parents	James S. Johnston & Louisa C. B. Newman
Spouse	Mary Mercer Green ​ (m. 1865)​
Children	6
Alma mater	University of Virginia
Signature

James Steptoe Johnston (June 9, 1843 – November 4, 1924) was an important American leader. He was a veteran of the Confederate States Army and a dedicated preacher and educator. He served as a Bishop in the Episcopal Church. He was the last bishop of the West Texas missionary district. He also became the first bishop of the full Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. Johnston also founded TMI — The Episcopal School of Texas. This is a private school in San Antonio, Texas.

Life Story

Early Years

James Steptoe Johnston was born in 1843. His birthplace was Church Hill, Mississippi. His father was James Steptoe Johnston, a lawyer and cotton planter. His mother was Louisa Clarissa Bridges Newman.

Young James went to Oakland College (Mississippi). He also attended the University of Virginia. He left college after one year. This was to join the Confederate States Army in 1862. He became a lieutenant in the cavalry. He fought in major battles. These included the Second Battle of Bull Run and Battle of Antietam. He was captured by Union forces. He spent a year as a prisoner of war.

After the war, he studied law. He worked as an attorney until 1867. Then, he decided to become a priest. He was ordained as a deacon on December 22, 1869. This took place in Christ Church, Vicksburg, Mississippi. He became a priest on April 30, 1871. This ceremony was in Trinity Church, Natchez, Mississippi. Both ordinations were performed by Bishop William Mercer Green.

Johnston served as a rector (head priest) in several churches. He was at St James' Church in Port Gibson, Mississippi (1870-1876). Then he moved to Ascension Church in Mount Sterling, Kentucky (1876-1880). In 1880, he became rector of Trinity Church in Mobile, Alabama. In 1887, he was chosen as the second bishop. This was for the missionary district of West Texas. He also received a Doctorate of Divinity degree that same year.

His Work as Bishop

The first years of Johnston's time as bishop were challenging. He was the only bishop for a huge area. This area was about 100,000 square miles (260,000 km2). Most of it could only be reached by horseback or stagecoach. The region also faced tough economic times. This was due to a long drought.

Johnston believed in the need for educated leaders. To help with this, he founded a school. It was called the West Texas School for Boys. Today, it is known as TMI — The Episcopal School of Texas. The school aimed to provide a strong Christian education. Johnston raised money for the school. He got help from wealthy Episcopalians on the East Coast.

Bishop Johnston also worked to unite different groups. He welcomed a group of African-Americans. They had previously been part of the Methodist Church. Johnston was open-minded. He wanted to talk with the Roman Catholic Church. This was the largest religious group in Southern and Western Texas. He wrote to the Vatican many times. He expressed his wish for Christian unity.

In 1904, West Texas became a self-supporting diocese. Johnston became its first official bishop. He retired in 1916. He had served as a bishop for twenty-eight years.

Later Life and Death

James Steptoe Johnston passed away at his home. He died in San Antonio on November 4, 1924.