Historical Retrospective A Beloved Bishop Grows Diocese Amid Challenging Economic Times

The Rt. Rev William Theodotus Capers, D.D.
3^rd Bishop of the Diocese of West Texas
Tenure: 1914-1943

Over a century ago, Bishop William Capers stepped into the role as Bishop Coadjutor of West Texas in 1914 and became Bishop of West Texas in 1916. His tenure is one of the longest as a West Texas bishop, serving for 29 years. Capers led the diocese to grow significantly despite large challenges during a time of economic hardship.

Born in 1867 in South Carolina, Capers was one of seven “preacher’s kids” born to an Episcopal Bishop of South Carolina. Educated at South Carolina College and Furman University, Capers began his career as a cotton buyer until following a prayer meeting, he made the decision to enter the ministry.

Elected as Bishop Coadjutor in 1913 at a special session of Council and consecrated at St. Mark's, San Antonio on May 1, 1914, Capers arrived in Texas with his family and was thrust into his new role in a young diocese. The Diocese of West Texas had achieved diocesan status only a decade earlier at the 1904 General Convention. The diocese - a vast territory, much of which was rural - presented travel challenges as road conditions were poor and automobiles unaffordable.  He traveled by rail and by catching rides to make visits to the 54 scattered parishes and missions and shepherd the 30 clergy serving 3612 communicant members.  

Capers did not let these challenges deter him.  “He had an unbounded faith that the grace of God, received by the Church through its sacramental performance, would strengthen the Diocesan flock to measure up to any need or challenge”.¹ He set out to reorganize the diocese, recognizing that there were vast differences in geography and demographics within the various regions. This led him to establish four regional convocations, each headed by a Dean. Additionally, he understood the hardship that travel presented to clergy and members and began in 1916 rotating the location of Diocesan Council, increasing participation and productivity as a result. Bishop Capers legacy includes many initiatives that shaped the diocese for years to come.

Recruitment of Clergy

In the early 1920’s, enrollment at seminaries declined nationally. Bishop Capers focused on paying clergy a respectable wage and placing them in rural areas in order to expand the ministry throughout the diocese.  Unfortunately, the stock market crash and Great Depression caused a disruption, and the financial impact resulted in economic hardship for the diocese and many clergy.  Slowly the economy recovered and in 1937, the Diocese of West Texas was able to voluntarily forgo support from the National Church and emerge strong.

Rural and Valley Expansion

Diocesan expansion into the Valley began in 1939 with St. Albans, Harlingen and Trinity, Pharr becoming full-fledged parishes and adequate clergy were ministering throughout the diocese.  A new record of 495 confirmands were recorded in 1940.

A Diocesan Camp

Capers envisioned a diocesan summer camp for young people, planting a seed at Diocesan Council in 1929. That seed much later bloomed into what is now the much-loved diocesan Camp Capers, a place where generations of campers’ lives have been transformed and lifelong friendships are made.  When the doors opened in 1947, the beloved bishop who had imagined a diocesan camp so many years prior, was honored through the naming of Camp Capers. His legacy remains today.

His greatest legacy may be his love for the people and clergy of West Texas. He cherished moving about and visiting churches across the diocese and continued to do so throughout his time as Diocesan Bishop. After a brief hospitalization, Capers died on March 29, 1943. “The entire Diocese mourned his loss.  His successor, the
Rt. Rev. Everett H. Jones, D.D., 4^th Bishop of West Texas, said “I felt it a high honor…to succeed him…and
I inherited from him a wonderful tradition of loyalty and devotion.”²