​Several events aligned in Amarillo in the late 1800s which provided for the creation of St. Andrew's Church. In 1877, two enterprising Bostonians developed the LX Ranch along the Canadian River to provide additional grazing land to meet the growing demand for beef after the Civil War. The increase in cattle industry caused the Ft. Worth and Denver City Railroad to construct a rail extension from Clarendon to Amarillo. The additional cattle for the new rangeland required a large amount of capital and in 1885 the LX Ranch was sold to the American Pastoral Company of London. The influx of funds from England attracted a young Englishman, banker, cattleman, CJE Lowndes who moved to the Amarillo area. With his Anglican background, Mr. Lowndes petitioned the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas to form St. Andrew's as a Mission in Amarillo in 1891, St. Andrew's being the patron saint of Scotland. Without a permanent structure, the laity of St. Andrew's worshiped in each other's homes much like the early Christians did for years following Christ's resurrection. The congregation of St. Andrews began growing despite sporadic Eucharist services.

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Three pioneering families, Joseph Sneed, Lee Bivins and Robert Benjamin Masterson purchased the LX Ranch and provided additional development of the rangeland along the Canadian River from New Mexico to Oklahoma. The discovery of huge natural gas deposits on the ranch in 1918 spurred the growth of Amarillo and prompted the construction of a brick church building at 9th and Fillmore. This new structure proved to be adequate for the next several decades, even through the great depression. However during World War II, people flocked to St. Andrew's and the capacity of the building at 9th and Fillmore was strained.

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Out of extreme joy and thanksgiving at the end of the war, the membership of St. Andrew's made a decision to erect a much larger church building on pastureland at the outskirts of town that was donated by the pioneering Bivins family. Not surprisingly, this building resembled many of the ivy-covered Angelican churches in England. In addition to a larger worship space, the new structure provided office space, fellowship hall and classrooms. As the membership continued to grow, St. Andrew's Episcopal

School was created and the facilities at 16th and Bryan were expanded to include a large education building. Christian life thrived at St. Andrew's for the next several decades, but in February of 1996, the worship building, the offices and the fellowship hall were completely consumed by a fire. Once again, the congregants of St. Andrew's were without a permanent structure and for the next four years were forced to worship in the school's gymnasium across the street.

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Accordingly, without a church building, the members of St. Andrew's were forced to go on a pilgrimage of self-examination where it was discovered that the members were the emphasis of The church, not the building, thus a more loving relationship with each other developed and continues to develop.

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As the new church building, with a totally different design and presence, was completed and occupied in 2002 this loving relationship continued to grow. While the functionality and appearance of the worship area was of liturgical importance, the spiritual health and well-being of the people were more important. St. Andrew's became a very welcoming and non-judgmental congregation, focusing on the individual. Not surprisingly, Christian life at St. Andrew's flourished for the next 20 years until the 2020s when the nation was afflicted with the Covid-19 virus. The congregation was forced into isolation and out of community worship. The faithful were formed into small groups of 8 to 10 members who, once again, embarked on group pilgrimages for the next two years. In an ironic twist of fate, these groups found

themselves praying and worshiping in each other's home just like the early Christians and like the early congregants of St. Andrew's. The bonds that developed within the small groups became very strong and remain strong even as the epidemic has come to an end.​

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Since its creation in 1891, St. Andrew's has enjoyed the leadership of 14 Rectors and 32 priests. Out of its ranks, it has ordained 3 Bishops, 5 Priests and 10 Deacons.

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At the end of every worship service, we emphasize that St. Andrew's has become a Church of "One Bread, One Cup, and One Love."

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