Riker, (Rev.) Malcolm. Records

Malcolm Riker was born on February 12, 1925, in Austin, Texas. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Navy and was sent to the South Pacific during World War II. After returning home in February of 1946, he enrolled at the University of Texas, graduating three years later with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. From there he attended seminary in New York City and Berkeley, California where he graduated in the top of his class in 1951.

Upon being ordained, Riker became the first priest at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in La Marque, TX. During his time in the Galveston area he started several more missions. After moving back to Austin in 1958, he revived St. George’s Episcopal Church and proceeded to initiate or take a leading role in the founding of a series of parishes in the Austin area, including missions established at St. Paul’s of Pflugerville and St. Richard’s of Round Rock during his retirement. While at St. Luke’s on the Lake, Riker presented several of the largest Confirmation classes ever confirmed in the history of the Diocese of Texas. In total, Riker founded eleven Episcopal churches in Texas, all of which are thriving today.

Malcolm Riker died on November 17, 2002.