The diocesan bishop and staff are housed at The Bishop Jones Center in San Antonio. In addition to the diocesan offices, the Bishop Jones Center includes the Mission Room, Halff Room, Conference Room, and Pavilion, which guests and groups may reserve for meetings and small gatherings. Contact Melissa Soderberg for availability and reservation information.
The Bishop Jones Center sits on 19-acres of land, known as Cathedral Park. Open to the public, Cathedral Park is a peaceful, green space perfect for a family picnic or personal prayer walk.
Physical Address: 111 Torcido Drive, San Antonio, TX 78209
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6885, San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone Number: 210/888-824-5387
Email Address: melissa.soderberg@dwtx.org
Business Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Throughout the year, a Service of Holy Eucharist takes place each week in St. John's Chapel at the Bishop Jones Center, on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. The service is led by a rotation of diocesan clergy, primarily the Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read the Ven. Mike Besson. All are welcome. Contact the diocesan office for more information, at (210/888) 824-5387.
Cathedral Park's meandering walking paths feature fountains, benches for sitting and relaxing, and beautiful landscaping highlighting native plants. It is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, with a side gate for access during non-business hours.
View the Cathedral Park brochure.
You're invited to set aside the fast-paced culture of today and step into the quiet and beauty of God’s creation at Cathedral Park for a few minutes or a few hours. Here you will encounter trails for wandering as well as benches for sitting and meditating, all among the sounds of calling birds and bubbling fountains. Many people come to Cathedral Park to enjoy nature and for quiet meditation and relaxation.
Individuals and small groups are welcome at Cathedral Park. A self-guided Meditation Walk is available and will take approximately 45 minutes. Various groups occasionally sponsor quiet days, brief retreats, creative workshops and other events on the property. Most are open to all.
Cathedral Park hours are generally sunrise to sunset. Special events sometimes take place after hours.
Parking is available using the lower lot, inside the gates Monday through Friday from 9:00am until 5:00 p.m., except on holidays. After hours street parking is available on Torcido Drive, and the park may be accessed by the rock steps to the left of the entry gate. If the gates are open after hours when you arrive, do not leave your car inside the gates, or you may get locked in.
A restroom is located in the Pavilion area, next to the entrance gate at the bottom of the boardwalk.
If you bring your dog, please clean up after it and prevent it from damaging plants or other places on the grounds.
Address: 111 Torcido Dr., San Antonio TX 78209
Phone: (210) 824-5387
For thousands of years, the land we know today as Cathedral Park has been a place of refuge and renewal. Situated in the lower Olmos Basin, the property is home to several springs, now mostly dry, that once contributed to the headwaters of the San Antonio River. The abundantly flowing Olmos Creek at the property’s western edge attracted Native Americans who fished in the creek, hunted bison and deer, and ate fruit and nuts from plants and trees.
In more recent history, the property was the grand estate of San Antonio businessman G. A. C. Halff, who died in 1950. It is now owned by the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, which has its headquarters there. Mr. Halff’s home, built in 1926, is still in use; in a small chapel which was once the home’s living room, services continue to be held regularly.
Today, about 10 acres of Cathedral Park are developed with meandering trails, flowing fountains, and benches placed for sitting and relaxing. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the quiet serenity of Cathedral Park, to rest in nature and listen to God’s creation speak through calling birds and whispering trees, subtle breezes and bubbling fountains. An elevated pavilion rests in the tree tops close to a spring that still flows when rains are heavy.
The Pavilion combines the best elements of a screened-in porch and a tree house. Sitting atop cement pillars and entered from a wooden boardwalk, the pavilion is ideal for small groups of 20 to 30. Users bring all their own supplies and clean up after themselves; a small sink and electricity are available. The space is outfitted with overhead fans that cool the area, even in the heat of summer. A restroom is nearby.
Located at the edge of the developed property, the Pavilion can be reached by a pebble path from the main parking lot. An alternate entrance with minimal parking is available for handicapped access, upon request.
The ambience of the Pavilion is serene and relaxed; it is best used by individuals and small groups for prayer, meditation, and spiritual formation workshops. It is not intended for business meetings or parties. Individuals are encouraged to use the Pavilion for private prayer and meditation when it is not otherwise booked.
Reservations to use the Pavilion may be made by contacting Melissa Soderberg at the Bishop Jones Center – melissa.soderberg@dwtx.org or 210-824-5387. There may be a charge for groups.
The Cathedral Park Meditation Walk is an opportunity to connect with God through the magnificence of his creation. Cathedral Park is sacred ground; in this place God’s spirit lingers and beckons visitors to partake of his presence made palpable through his creation. The Meditation Walk is a self-guided audio tour of our grounds and will take approximately 45 minutes.
The Walk includes an introduction and eight stops, each of which gives some background information and offers opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of God’s bountiful creation. Click here to open the Meditation Walk Map.
Click here for a list of the audio files (9 total). Visitors can connect to the wireless internet during the walk; ask the upstairs receptionist for the Guest Wifi password. Stops 7 and 8 will be out of range; listen to their audio files before going to the lower level, or save the transcript or audio files to bring with you for your walk.
May these offerings inspire reflection as you walk, sit, and pray at Cathedral Park.
A Blessing of Solitude - by John O’DonohueAsk the Animals - Job 12:7-10Awakening to Beauty - by John O’Donohue – a reading with questions for reflectionCathedral Park Meditation WalkCanticle of Creation - from St FrancisI thank You God - e. e. CummingsPsalm 19 - The heavens declare the glory of GodPracticing Nature - A fifteen minute simple meditationSeeing Creation through the Eyes of the Holy One - from The Quiet Garden, Keats, KansasTake Off your Shoes - by Macrina WiederkehrThe Beauty of the Trees - by Chief Dan GeorgeFrom The Book of Common Prayer
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