On a four-acre campus at the northwest corner of Hillcrest Road and Spring Valley Road in North Dallas, roughly a mile north of I-635, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration - known across the diocese simply as "The Fig" - has spent seventy years pouring love into a community of faith that has grown into one of the more musically gifted and outwardly engaged parishes of the Diocese of Dallas. Locals know it for its bell tower, its labyrinth, and the warm Sunday morning hum of voices that spills out of the nave at 9:00 a.m. and again at 11:15 a.m.
Seventy Years on the Hill
The parish traces its life to the Rev. Smythe Lindsey, who in 1956 gathered eleven families at Preston Hills Tennis Club to begin a new mission. Three years later it was formally received as a parish of the diocese, and the Rev. Jim Niles was called as the first rector. An A-frame church on Spring Valley filled quickly; by 1963, the congregation had tripled to about 900 members. A devastating 1964 flood of White Rock Creek pushed the parish to seek higher ground, and the vestry purchased four acres at Hillcrest and Spring Valley, the campus Transfiguration still occupies today.
The new buildings were dedicated at Easter 1970, the same year the parish launched Parish Day School. The Rev. Terence Roper, called as the second rector in 1976, would shape the parish for the next quarter century, presiding over a chapel in 1985 when the Rev. Gwen L. Buehrens became the first woman ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Dallas, an event that drew bomb threats and protests. Transfiguration was the first church in the diocese to raise up women for ordination to the priesthood, and female clergy have been on staff here for over forty years.
The 1990s stretched the parish outward. During the AIDS crisis, Transfiguration built a ministry for those affected. It helped found Austin Street Center and, with neighboring churches, built houses with Habitat for Humanity. The 1996 "Fulfill the Vision" campaign produced the Gathering Space - including what was, at the time, the first indoor labyrinth in North America - along with Roper Hall, the Memorial Garden and columbarium, a Nursery Wing, and the bell tower with its first set of bells.
The new millennium brought growth. The Rev. J.D. Godwin was called as the third rector in 2000, Parish Day School separated into Parish Episcopal School, and organist Joel Martinson arrived in 2004 to launch Transfigured Nights, the chamber and special-music series that has shaped the parish's musical reputation. The South Building was completed in 2009, and the Opus 17 Richards, Fowkes & Co. organ was assembled pipe by pipe by dozens of volunteers before being named the Jerry D. Godwin Organ in 2013 when Father Godwin stepped aside.
Under the fourth rector, the Rev. Casey Shobe, called in 2014, the parish has continued its long habit of taking public stands. In 2019, fifteen same-sex couples were blessed at a Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Marriage service at which the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson preached. The Covid-19 pandemic pushed worship online in 2020, with the parish sharing the Eucharist weekly with members in 54 zip codes from the sanctuary at Pentecost. An eight-month renovation of the church and sacristy concluded in 2025 with the consecration of Holy Cross Chapel. Today, the Rev. Anthony Jones serves alongside Father Casey as Senior Associate Rector, and the parish looks forward to its next chapter together.
To Seek and Serve Christ in All Persons
Decades ago, while crafting a mission statement, Transfiguration kept returning to the baptismal question, "Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?" That promise became the parish's guiding star. As Father Casey writes, "to be Christian is to live like there is no 'them.' Only 'us.'" There are, he insists, no asterisks attached to any member's welcome.
The parish has long welcomed those excluded elsewhere. Female clergy have served on staff for more than four decades. Queer people serve on staff and in every kind of congregational leadership role, and the parish marches in Dallas Pride each year. The same-sex marriage policy of the parish is the same as for any other couple. The Open Door Fellowship centers LGBTQ+ members, families, and friends in the wider life of the parish.
Mission extends outward, too. Transfiguration helped found Austin Street Center and Genesis Women's Shelter. Members march in Pride, write letters to Congress through the Episcopal Peace Fellowship's Peace Post, work on racial justice, and stand with migrants and refugees in partnership with Gateway of Grace.
A Week of Worship
Transfiguration offers worship almost every day of the week, and the pattern is anchored in the Book of Common Prayer.
On Saturday evenings at 5:30 p.m., the congregation gathers for The Table, a relaxed and casual Holy Eucharist with acoustic music. The rector recommends it as a friendly entry point for anyone new to Episcopal worship.
Sunday is the heart of the week. At 9:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist is sung with the full choir, scripture, hymns, prayers, and sermon; the service welcomes families, and a Children's Chapel for ages four through first grade meets during the first half. This service is also livestreamed on YouTube. The 10:00 a.m. Formation Hour gathers adults in the Parlor, Roper Hall, or classrooms for study. At 11:15 a.m., the principal Sunday Holy Eucharist returns, with the full choir, music, and incense in what the parish calls the fullest expression of Episcopal worship at Transfiguration. Professionally staffed nurseries are available throughout the morning.
On Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m., a quiet, centering Holy Eucharist is offered in Holy Cross Chapel without music; on the first Wednesday of each month, the service includes healing prayers and anointing. On Thursdays at noon, the chapel hosts another quiet, centering Eucharist, this one using the traditional Rite I language of the prayer book.
Daily prayer continues online. Morning Prayer is prayed live on the parish's Facebook page Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m., and Compline is sung live Monday through Thursday at 9:00 p.m., giving the parish a way to begin and end the day together even when members are far apart.
What to Expect
Greeters welcome visitors at the door and help them find their way. The parish does not single out newcomers but does everything possible to help them feel comfortable. Refreshments follow the Sunday services, with a chance to meet one another and be introduced to staff. Those who would like to talk with a member of the clergy or staff before visiting can call 972-233-1898.
Music at The Fig
Music is one of the parish's defining gifts. The Transfiguration Choir, an adult ensemble directed by Joel Martinson, sings for the two principal Sunday services and for Holy Day liturgies, and is a regular participant in the Transfigured Nights series. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Bella Musica handbell choir, also under Martinson, rehearses Tuesday evenings and plays every four to six weeks during the school year.
Children have their own choirs. The Holy Family Choir gathers first through third graders at 9:00 a.m. for music formation during the Children's Chapel hour, returning to the nave at the Offertory. The Canticle Choir, for singers in fourth through seventh grades, rehearses Sunday mornings at 11:10 a.m. The Youth Choir, for grades eight through twelve, sings one or two Sundays a month under the direction of Chris Ahrens.
The Godwin Organ is Opus 17 of Richards, Fowkes & Co., completed in 2009 and named for Father Godwin in 2013. Its bold red case, trompe l'oeil garlands of fig leaves and fruit, and 32 basswood pipe shades sit in a rear gallery chosen to let the organ speak over the choir and down into the nave. Forty-seven stops and 68 ranks sit on three manuals and pedal, with four 16' stops on the manuals and three more in the Pedal giving the instrument particular weight.
The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition, number 115 of fewer than 300 ever produced, lives in seven custom display cases in the Gathering Space. Commissioned by the Benedictine monks of Saint John's Abbey in 1998 from Donald Jackson, the calligrapher to Queen Elizabeth II, the original took fifteen scribes and artists nearly thirteen years to complete. At Transfiguration, the Heritage Edition is carried in procession for the Gospel reading at principal Sunday services and during the four Sundays of Advent, when the Gospel is read aloud chapter by chapter.
Transfigured Nights, founded in 2004, brings the wider community into the church for Solemn Evensong, the Duruflé Requiem, Advent Lessons and Carols, organ recitals, and the Art Music Mondays chamber series. The annual program has welcomed the Orpheus Chamber Singers and leading Dallas-Fort Worth instrumentalists under the direction of Gayane Manasjan Fullford.
Formation for Every Stage of Life
Transfiguration's educational ministry is built around the conviction that study forms faith. The Way, the parish's 18-session catechumenate, gathers on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. beginning in September and running through February, with a Saturday retreat in February. Participants are encouraged to begin the evening at the 6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist; a light meal is shared from 6:30 to 7:00, and the formal class session begins at 7:00. The Way prepares adults for baptism, confirmation, or reception into the Episcopal Church, and welcomes anyone returning to the fundamentals of Christianity.
Sunday morning formation for adults changes throughout the year. Recent series have included "The Prophets Still Speak," an eight-session survey of the Hebrew prophets led by Dr. Roy Heller, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Old Testament at Perkins School of Theology, and "Magnifica Humanitas," a seminar on Pope Leo's encyclical on what it means to be human in an age of artificial intelligence, led by Father Casey, the Rev. Michael Merriman, Dr. Mark Stamm, and Joseph Palacios.
Parents of young children gather through Figs with Kids, which hosts series such as "Raising Kids While Keeping Your Cool," "Peace Be with You: Escaping the Grip of Anxiety," and "Liturgy of the Ordinary" in Classroom S203.
Confirmation candidates, both youth and adult, are prepared for the bishop's laying on of hands. Adult candidates typically come through The Way; youth candidates work through a year-long process with the Director of Youth Ministries. Already-baptized Christians from other traditions may be received by the bishop.
Children, Youth, and Families
A professionally staffed nursery is available for the littlest members during Sunday worship and other events. On Sunday mornings at 8:50 a.m., children ages four through first grade gather on the Labyrinth and process to Children's Chapel during the first half of the 9:00 a.m. service.
Sunday school follows a Montessori-inspired curriculum. Wee Wonder serves two- and three-year-olds with song, action rhymes, Bible stories, and responsive play. Godly Play serves Pre-K through fifth grade, using sacred stories, parables, and liturgical action. Impact Kids, for fourth and fifth graders, meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and empowers children to serve as ministers of the Gospel by helping the hungry, cheering up isolated seniors, preventing bullying, and exploring complicated issues like hunger, loneliness, and generosity.
First Informed Communion is celebrated each fall, with a retreat and a November reception at the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist. Children at least six years old who have shown a readiness to share in the Eucharist are invited, along with their parents and godparents.
Youth in grades six through twelve have a full life of their own. Crossover meets Wednesday evenings during the school year for food, faith, fellowship, and fun, with a rhythm that includes outreach, an annual lock-in, the Blessing of the Pets, an Advent festival, and assistance with the Passion experience during Holy Week. Youth serve as acolytes - torch bearers, candle lighters, crucifers, banner bearers, Gospel holders, and Sanctus Bell ringers - at the 9:00 a.m. service, and as ushers. In alternating years, youth raise funds for a pilgrimage; the summer of 2026 took them to Scotland.
Young Adults, Men, and Women
Young Adults Fellowship plans shared meals, coffee gatherings, outings, guest speakers, and discussions, occasionally joining with neighboring young adult groups. The Episcopal Men's Fellowship (EMF) unites men of the parish age 18 and older in service, fellowship, and faith, supporting parish and community ministries through grants funded by an annual Fish Fry and Silent Auction. St. Elizabeth's Guild organizes monthly potluck dinners, and the Single Women Living Alone Network (SWAN) meets for conversation, spiritual development, and support on the third Saturday of each month from September through May.
In the World: Outreach Ministries
Transfiguration's outreach is woven into the rhythm of the parish. The Fig Food Pantry, founded in 2015, is a Community Distribution Partner of Crossroads Community Services. Registered families receive a week's worth of groceries each month; the pantry now serves more than 60 families on the third Monday of each month. A Little Pantry near the church entrance is stocked for those who need food at any hour, every day of the year.
The Clothes Horse is one of the parish's longest-running ministries. Operated since 1961 by St. Hilda's Guild, the resale shop offers gently used clothing at budget prices. Unsold items are donated to other ministries. The shop is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (also Fridays), and accepts credit and debit cards.
Each month a team prepares and serves an evening meal at Austin Street Center, which provides overnight shelter for 350 to 400 homeless men and women each day, and at St. Jude Center Park Central, which provides housing and case management for formerly homeless and chronically homeless individuals aged 18 and older. On Thanksgiving Eve, parishioners provide and serve a complete Thanksgiving dinner at Austin Street. Genesis Women's Shelter, dedicated to women and children affected by domestic violence, receives regular support; Genesis HeROs (He Respects Others), supported by the Episcopal Men's Fellowship and other parishioners, hosts grilling nights and other events at the Genesis shelter. Gateway of Grace helps refugees start over in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and Transfiguration supports its work through fundraising and volunteer efforts. The Dallas Ramp Project constructs ADA-compliant ramps for low-income elderly and disabled residents, with Transfiguration members serving several times a year. The parish supports St. Philip's School and Community Center in South Dallas through financial gifts and volunteer service. Internationally, the parish supports the Happy Homes Africa School in northeastern South Africa, a pre-school serving 112 children ages three to six, many orphaned by AIDS.
Advocacy is part of the parish's outreach. Members gather monthly as the North Dallas Chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, usually on the first Sunday of each month, to study and act on peace and justice issues, writing letters to elected officials through the Peace Post. Members participate in Dallas Pride each year through the Open Door ministry.
Pastoral Care
Members are supported in seasons of need through several layers of pastoral care. The Stephen Ministry commissions members of the congregation to provide confidential, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to those experiencing crisis or difficult transitions, meeting weekly for about an hour. Eucharistic Visitors bring the Holy Sacrament to those unable to attend. The Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and crochets shawls, lap robes, baby blankets, and other items that are blessed and distributed to parishioners in hospitals and at home. The Prayer Chain lifts up prayer requests confidentially.
The parish also connects members to community resources. Genesis Women's Shelter provides safety and shelter for women and children dealing with domestic abuse (24-hour helpline: 214-946-4357). The Family Place provides safe housing, counseling, and skills that create independence for those facing domestic abuse (24-hour crisis hotline: 214-941-1991). St. Jude Center Park Central provides housing and ongoing case management for formerly homeless veterans and chronically homeless individuals.
Weddings and Funerals
All weddings at Transfiguration follow the authorized liturgies of the Episcopal Church, and most include the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Weddings are normally scheduled on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., or 7:30 p.m., and may not be scheduled during Lent, Advent, or on major feast days. Pre-marital counseling is required, including a minimum of three sessions with a professional marriage counselor. Same-sex couples are absolutely eligible for marriage at Transfiguration, and all policies apply equally to heterosexual and same-sex couples. The Wedding Guild is a group of volunteers who assist with logistics and the liturgy. The basic fee for a wedding at the church is $2,250, with $500 due at the time of signing the Declaration of Intent and the balance due 30 days before the wedding.
The Memorial Garden, with its columbarium, is the resting place for many parishioners and their family members. The Funeral Guild prepares a simple reception for the bereaved. Christian burial is offered for parishioners and their family members, and the clergy may approve hosting funerals for non-members in cases of great pastoral need.
The Campus
Beyond the church itself, the campus includes Roper Hall, the Parlor, the Memorial Garden, classrooms, the South Building (housing parish offices, music rooms, classrooms, and the Parlor), the Niles Building, the Youth Center, the Performance Hall, and the Music Room. The Gathering Space, with the indoor labyrinth, opens the parish to the wider community.
In May 2025, the parish dedicated a new Bell Tower Garden. A courtyard with teak seating and a fountain titled Perisseia (Greek for "abundant" or "more than enough") is dedicated in memory of Judith Stewart Drotman. A new Butterfly Garden, a Monarch Way Station tended by the Gardening Ministry, honors David Diggs, longtime leader of the Flower Guild. The Bell Tower Garden is now home to outdoor services, including the Blessing of the Animals each fall, and to the tradition of couples ringing the tower bells on their wedding day.
Pastoral care is always a call away: in an emergency, members can dial 972-233-1898 and press option 9.
Membership and Membership at The Fig
Becoming a member of Transfiguration is, by design, not complicated. Baptized Christians need only let the parish know of their desire to become members, together with the place and date of their baptism. Those who have not been baptized are invited to explore that sacrament through The Way, with Mother Rebecca Tankersley or Minister for Congregational Life Gabby Guion. Those not yet ready for baptism are welcome to attend services, classes, and programs and to volunteer in many ways regardless.
The parish stays in touch through a weekly e-newsletter and a twice-yearly magazine, ILLUMINE, which features in-depth stories about the people and events that shape the parish's common life.
Giving is supported online through Realm, the parish's internal communication tool, with options for general gifts, memorial gifts, Sunday flower dedications, and endowment gifts. The Endowment includes six sub-funds: the Legacy Fund, Outreach Fund, Joanna Elizabeth Pierce and Justin Ford Pierce Youth Fund, Music Fund, Rodgers Seminarian Fund, and Infrastructure Capital Fund. Planned-giving inquiries are handled by The Legacy Society.
At seventy years and counting, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration continues to gather at the corner of Hillcrest and Spring Valley, offering the beauty of Episcopal liturgy, the gift of its music, the warmth of a community that knows how to welcome, and the energy of a parish whose work in the wider city - down the street, across town, and around the world - is the natural outflow of its baptismal promise.