Whose House We Are - History of St. Clement's Church

In this review of Whose House We Are, the reviewer finds a focused, archival history best suited to readers interested in local church history and Anglican movements. The book traces St. Clement's Church in El Paso from its modest frontier origins to its contemporary role as a dynamic Anglican congregation, and the single biggest reason to buy is its combination of documented records and personal testimony that gives readers a clear sense of spiritual continuity and institutional change. This review highlights why the narrative works as a case study in American religious history and who will get most value from it.

Key Features

• Historical narrative: The book follows St. Clement's Church across more than a century, giving readers a chronological view of growth, upheaval, and renewal.
• Primary records: Historical records form the backbone of the account, providing concrete dates and institutional details that anchor the story.
• Personal testimony: Testimonies from ministers and lay people add lived experience and human perspective to the institutional history.
• Focus on renewal: The renewal period of the 1970s is described in a way that explains the church's later missionary and neighborhood ministries.
• Coverage of separation: The text addresses the significant separation between Episcopal and Anglican churches in North America, giving context to recent denominational shifts.
• Local outreach emphasis: The book documents how a once small congregation expanded into a church with broad missionary outreach and inner-city ministries.

Who It's For

This book is ideal for readers who study American religious history, local El Paso history, or denominational change within Anglicanism. Pastors, church historians, and members of St. Clement's or similar congregations will appreciate the mix of records and testimony that captures institutional memory.

It is less suitable for readers seeking a general overview of Anglican doctrine or a wide survey of Anglicanism worldwide; those audiences should look for broader denominational histories rather than this focused parish-level study.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well-documented chronology provides clarity on long-term developments at St. Clement's.
• Personal testimonies give emotional resonance and practical insight into community life.
• Clear treatment of pivotal moments, like the 1970s renewal and the Episcopal-Anglican separation, helps readers understand institutional change.

Cons

• The narrow, parish-specific focus means it may not satisfy readers wanting a broad denominational or theological analysis.

Specifications

Title	Whose House We Are
Author	Melanie Klink Wayne
Subject	History of St. Clement's Church, El Paso
Scope	Church origins, growth, renewal, and denominational separation
Geographic focus	El Paso, Texas, United States
Audience	Church historians, local history readers, Anglican community

Our Verdict

Whose House We Are is a worthwhile purchase for readers seeking a well-documented parish history that combines archival material with first-hand testimony; it offers clear value for anyone studying local religious movements or the history of Anglican congregations in the United States. Its focused scope makes it an excellent case study, though readers wanting broad theological surveys should consider other works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include first-hand accounts?
Yes. The narrative incorporates testimonies from ministers and lay people alongside historical records.

What time period does the book cover?
The book follows the church from its humble beginnings over a century ago through the 1970s renewal and into contemporary developments.

Is this a denominational history?
It is a parish-level history focused on St. Clement's, with attention to the Episcopal and Anglican separation but not a comprehensive denominational survey.