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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSt. Joseph Catholic Church History ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, BRYAN, TEXAS St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bryan, Texas has been serving the spiritual and material needs of the Catholic communities in and around the city for at least 125 years, and possibly 129 years. The exact date when the church was officially established can not be determined. When St. Joseph Church of Bryan was established in 1871, the city of Bryan was in its infancy, having being incorporated on November 29, 1871 by the State of Texas, following the Civil War. Since the church was established, its membership has consisted of the early settlers of Brazos County and many immigrant groups, including the French, Irish, Bohemian, Czech, German, Polish, Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese, etc. St. Joseph Catholic Church today is continuing to grow and meet the needs of an ever - changing society. Immigration to Texas was encouraged by the state and area businessmen. After the slaves were freed following the Civil War, plantation owners in East Texas solicited workers from foreign countries to come to America to work for them as contract workers. The contracts were prohibited by the State of Texas after the early 1880's; however, immigrants continued to come to Texas in hopes of making a better life for their families. "Brazos County has organized an immigration society by the election of officers and the adoption of a constitution. " "The citizens of Bryan have formed a joint stock immigration company of $3500, twenty per cent, to be paid in at once." 2 Many of these immigrants were of the Catholic faith and in need of a priest to administer the sacraments to them. The first Catholic church in Brazos County, Texas was established at Millican, about the year 1867. On February 14, 1867 a deed was executed from Jas. B. Conger to C. M. 1 Brenham Banner, Brenham, Texas, December 15, 1880, pg. 1. 2 Houston Post, Houston, Texas, December 23, 1880, pg. 2. 1 Dubuis, Bishop of Galveston, for 1/2 of Block 39 containing five lots, and one lot in S/2 of said block, in the town of Millican at a cost of $600. The deed was recorded May 15, 1868. Reverends Louis Bussant and Francis Derue were assigned to Millican from 1868 to 1870. The church at Millican had little chance of success with the decline of Millican after 1867. The Houston & Texas Central Railroad had been extended from Millican to Bryan. The first train arrived at Bryan on August 19, 1867. Shortly thereafter, a yellow fever epidemic occurred in Millican. Residents, businesses and churches began moving further north, many settling in Bryan. The race riots in Millican in July of 1868 costs even more lives and unrest. The population of Millican dwindled down to 1200 residents by 1868. 5 "Father Bussant and the Catholic Church moved in 1869." 6 "Father Bussant was transferred from Millican to Calvert in February 1869. He had been detained there due to the slow progress of the construction of the church at Waco, to which he had been assigned. " Rev. Bussant married Mr. Patrick Gaines and Miss Margaret Dunn on 10 3 Deed Records of Brazos County, Texas, Court House, Bryan, Texas, Vol. 1 pg. 125. 4 Official Catholic Directory, Catholic Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 1869 pg. 184, 1870 pg. 324. The directories in the earlier years have been found to be usually one year behind of the actual assignment date, probably due to the length of time between acquiring the data and actually printing the results. 5 Brundidge, Glenna Fourman. Brazos County, Rich Past - Bright Future. Family History Foundation, Bryan, Texas, 1986, pgs. 28 and 29. 6 Hayes, Mary E. Millican, Texas, Millican, Texas, 1986. 7 History of Church of the Assumption - Waco, Texas, taken from the 1876 City Directory. Central Texas Genealogical Society, Inc., Heart of Texas Records, Vol. XXIX No. 3, Fall 1986, pg. 86. 2 February 1869. Bussant must have left shortly thereafter. Rev. Francis Derue probably stayed at Millican until 1870. Rev. Derue married Anthony Coster and Merretta DeFrances on 3 February 1870. On the same day, he married Matthew Ploner and Rosa Shepperd. It was noted that he was the Catholic priest of Millican. No other records for Derue were found after this date. Rev. Mathurin Z. Pairier was assigned to Millican in 1871. 10 The church at Millican had probably become a mission of Bryan at this time. On December 13, 1870 Rev. Pairier was noted in a deed for church property in Bryan as being of the Roman Catholic Church of Bryan. 11 Rev. Pairier was an assistant at St. Mary's Cathedral in Galveston, Texas from 1869 to 1870. 12 It appears that Rev. Pairier was more of an organizer of new parishes and did not stay long at one place. He was also known as a circuit - riding priest for the Diocese of Galveston. "By 1872, the number of Catholics in Dallas had increased considerably and Father M. Perrier (Pairier) was sent to organize a church. ...The first church was erected in 1873. ...In December 1873, Reverend Joseph Martiniere was appointed pastor. " A letter dated July 27, 1872 at Millican from Rev. 8 Marriage Records of Brazos County, Texas, Court House, Bryan, Texas. Vol. B, pg. ? 9 Marriage Records, ibid, Vol. C, pgs. 11 and 19. 1 bfficial Catholic Directories, ibid, 1869 pg. 184, 1870 pg. 324, 1871 pg. 324, 1872 pg. 189. 11 Deed Records, ibid, Book N, pg. 388. 12 Official Catholic Directory, ibid, 1870 pg. 322, 1871 pg. 322. 1 listory of the Diocese of Galveston 1847 -1874, thesis, Sister Mary Carmelita Glennon, St. Mary's Academy, Austin, Texas, August 28, 1943, pgs. 102 -103 3 J. Moore to Rt. Rev. Bishop Dubuis requested that Father Hogan stay in this mission. 14 Millican was now a mission served by Rev. J. Moore of the Bryan church. 15 It is possible that the history of St. Joseph Catholic Church dates back 129 years to 1867 when the church at Millican was established. The Official Catholic Directories during the period 1868 through 1874 indicate a total of 55 churches and chapels in existence, of which 33 were stone or brick and 22 were wooden. 16 Since the number of Catholic buildings did not change during these years, the Millican and Bryan churches were probably the same church. No sacramental records exist for the church at Millican in order to verify the name of the church, when it was established and who were the pastors that served the church. The land at Millican lay idle for many years and was finally sold about 1992. The history of the Catholic church in Bryan began when the first mass in Bryan was said in the home of Mr. Marcellius Bonneville, Sr. about 1869. Bonneville was one of the founders of the first Catholic church at Bryan. He provided early missionaries with food and lodging when they came to administer sacraments. 16 He offered the use of the upper floor of his mercantile store in Bryan to be used for services. The first missionaries to attend came from Galveston and included Father Anthony (Augustin Emile Antoine), Bishop C. i bgt. Joseph Church Files, Catholic Archives ofTexas, Austin, Texas. 1 Jfficial Catholic Directory, ibid, 1873, pg. 196. 1 %fficial Catholic Directory, 1868 pg. 170, 1869 pg. 186, 1870 pg. 326, 1871 pg. 326, 1872 pg. 190, 1873 pg.198, 1874 pg. 201. i Letter dated October 23, 1991, from Rev. Msgr. Donald J. Fruge, Diocese of Austin, Austin, Texas, to Ms. Patty Todd Chenault, Millican, Texas. i �woraczyk, Rev. Edward J., The First Polish Colonies of America in Texas, The Naylor Company, San Antonio, Texas, 1936, pg. 180. 4 M. Dubuis, Fathers Joseph Martiniere, Joseph Blum, and Louis Granger. 19 At this time, there was no Catholic church building in Bryan. C. M. Dubuis, Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Galveston, purchased Lots 9 and 10 in Block 156 in the city of Bryan on December 13, 1870 from W. R. Baker and A. Groesbeck (Trustees for the Houston & Texas Railroad Company. 20 The deeds were not filed for record until March 31, 1873, when the lots were sold to 0. J. Howard. 21 Perhaps the deeds were not recorded until a later date since this church burned shortly after it was established. The lots were bounded by Lamar, Monroe, Sterling and Wheelock Streets. There were two deeds, and the deed for Lot 9 was purchased for $60 in gold while the deed for Lot 10 indicated that $1.00 was paid by Rev. M. Z. Poisier (Pairier) of the Roman Catholic Church of Bryan. Rev. Pairier was assigned to the Catholic church at Millican, not Bryan, according to the Official Catholic Directory for 1872 as mentioned previously in the paragraph covering Millican. It is not clear if Pairier was serving Millican or Bryan, but it appears that the church was in the midst of relocating in 1870. The December 13, 1870 date is the earliest date recorded for the Catholic church at Bryan. "The history of the church (St. Joseph Catholic Church) begins with the erection of the first building in 1871 by Rev. A. Antone, now of El Paso County. 23 Rev. Antone was 1% Questionnaire for the use of the Chancery Office, Diocese of Galveston ", St. Joseph Parish, Bryan, Texas, Catholic Archives of Texas, Austin, Texas, c.a. 1950, in the handwriting of Msgr. J. B. Gleissner, pastor of St. Joseph Church 1905 -1953. Brazos County was originally situated in the Galveston Diocese, but as of November 15, 1947, is in the newly- created Austin Diocese. 2 �eed Records, ibid, Lot 9 Book N, pg. 387; Lot 10 Book N, pg. 388. 2 1eed Records, ibid, Book N, pg. 389. 2 1ap, ibid, Book H. 2 drazos Pilot and Bryan Eagle, Bryan, Texas, September 12, 1895, pg. 1. 5 assigned to Pleasanton, Atascosa County, Texas during this time, 24 and his role in the building of the church is not know at this time. Perhaps an error in reporting occurred and Pairier's name should have been used here instead of Antone's name as Rev. Pairier was mentioned in the deed for this location. "A church building was erected in 1871 but was soon destroyed by fire and not rebuilt. Mass was celebrated in a store building until a site for a new parish could be found. ...led to the founding of St. Joseph Parish in 1873. Rev. C. Clair was the first full time pastor. " A second location was purchased for $1.00 on October 3, 1871 from Chas. W. Gardiner by C. M. Dubuis, Bishop of Galveston, for the benefit of the Catholic Church in the city of Bryan, Texas. The deed covered Lots 1, 2 and 3 of Block 64, 2 6 which was situated at 24th and Preston. 27 There was a clause in the deed stating that if the church does not build within two years that the lots shall revert back to Grantor. Gardiner paid taxes in 1872 on Blocks 63 and 64, however, he was not paying taxes on Block 64 in succeeding years. 26 A church must have been built in Block 64 in the designated time. "A Catholic church is being built at Bryan. ... " This location was probably established in 1872 with Rev. John Moore as the first pastor until 1875. 30 However, Rev. C. Clair is noted 2 bfficial Catholic Directory, ibid, 1870 pg. 323, 1871 pg. 324, 1872 pg. 189. 2 rundidge, Glenna Fourman, ibid, pg. 142. 26 Deed Records, ibid, Book M, Page 252. 2 map, ibid. 28 rax Rolls 1873 -1886, Brazos County, Texas, Tax Assessor Office, Bryan, Texas. 2 1,1eburne Chronicle, Cleburne, Texas, December 9, 1871, pg. 2. 3 %fficial Catholic Directory, ibid, pg. 197 for 1873, pg. 199 for 1874, and pg. 197 for 1875. 6 as being the first full time pastor of St. Joseph Church. 31 The second location of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Bryan, Texas was established either in 1872 or 1873 with either Rev. John Moore or Rev. Claude Clair as first pastor. Rev. John Moore had been ordained a priest by Bishop Dubuis on March 27, 1872 in Galveston, Texas. It appears his first assignment was Bryan as he is listed as serving there in the 1873 Catholic Directory. Volumes D and E of the Marriage Records of Brazos County, Texas indicate that Rev. Moore officiated at marriages on September 2, 1872; February 6, 1873; and February 11, 1874 at Millican; and on October 1, 1874 in Bryan. Moore's presence in the county is certainly evidenced by the above. His exact role in the church at Bryan is not known at this time, but it appears that there is a conflict as to who was the first pastor of this church. Rev. Camillus Monin served Bryan 1875 - 1876. "He served in Corpus Christi, Greytown, Liberty, Bryan (1876), and again at Corpus Christi until 1880. 1881 not listed in the C.D. (Catholic Directory.) "34 The earliest record of Rev. C. Clair is recorded in Volume D, page 305, of the Marriage Records of Brazos County, Texas when he officiated at the marriage of Louis White and Betty Luther on 14 June 1876 at Bryan. His last assignment before coming to Bryan was at Annunciation Catholic Church, Houston, Texas, where his last entry in the sacramental records was October 10, 1875. Prior to that date, Clair was assigned to Brazoria, 3 1rundidge, ibid. 3� Early Priests Who Served in Bryan, Texas," St. Joseph Church File, Catholic Archives of Texas, Austin, Texas, no author, undated document. Covers an era from 1873 -1927. 3 Jfficial Catholic Directory, ibid, 1876 pg. 176, 1877 pg. 273. '"Early Priests Who Served in Bryan, Texas," ibid. 3 zacramental Records, Annunciation Catholic Church, Houston, Texas. 7 Texas 1873 - 1874. The first entry in the Bryan church records by Rev. Clair is December 10, 1876. A fire consumed the church in Bryan a month earlier, and more than likely the sacramental records burned since the sacramental records begin after that date. Rev. Clair served the parish until December 26, 1877. Efforts were made by Rev. Clair to rebuild the church after the 1876 fire. "...The Catholic Church, Father Claire (Clair), since its loss by fire, hold services in a private building where its membership enjoys religious ministrations... " Rev. Clair wanted to rebuild the church, but the congregation feared debts. Mr. Bonneville again granted permission to use one -half of the upper story of his mercantile store. The people worshipped at this location for five years until the church bought a Masonic school house and converted it into a church. 39 "The Catholics...have about completed arrangements for the erection of an elegant church, with a schoolhouse or convent attached. ...The brick and a portion of other necessary materials are already upon the ground..." 40 It is not known if work on this church was ever completed due to the following newspaper notice: "Bryan has five white churches: Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Christian. The Catholics intend to erect a brick church soon. „41 According to the 100th Anniversary 1873 -1973 History of St. Joseph Church, the church building was dedicated in 1878; however, I have not found any evidence of this fact. "...this building (St. Joseph Church) was burned in 1877, and from that time until 1884, the Catholics, being unable to erect a new building, held service in the half above M. Bonneville's place of business. 3 Jfficial Catholic Directory, ibid, 1874 pg. 199, 1875 pg. 197. 37S acramental Records, St. Joseph Church, Bryan, Texas. 3 3alveston Daily News, Galveston, Texas, April 3, 1877, pg. 2. 3 �woraczyk, ibid, pg. 181. 4 ualveston Daily News, Galveston, Texas, September 5, 1877, pg. 4. 4 kalveston Daily News, Galveston, Texas, September 15, 1878, pg. 3. 8 Rev. Victor Eques des Borussa Lisickie, being pastor. 42 There is conflicting data here, and no further evidence has been found to clarify the data. The congregation probably continued to worship in Mr. Bonneville's store until 1883 or at a rented house three blocks from the 1883 site of the church given in Rev. Edward A. Dworaczyk's account of the church. Rev. Victor Lisicki, a Polish nobleman, was the next pastor of the church from January 6, 1878 until August 22, 1880. He was then assigned to Panna Maria, Texas for one year. During his absence, the church was served by Rev. Joseph Mosiewicz for one year, and by visiting priests Revs. James Grabinger of Brenham, A. L. David and George Allen, both of Galveston, Texas. Rev. Lisicki returned to Bryan about September 1882 and served St. Joseph's until his death on 13 May 1884. 43 Rev. Lisicki's death notice said that "he had built a beautiful church during the year, and his congregation had increased to the largest in the city. " To his credit is given the establishment of the St. Joseph Church of 1883. A third site for the church was purchased for $500 by N. A. Gallagher, Bishop of Galveston, for the use and benefit of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas on February 15, 1883 from R. M. Smith in Block 62 of the city of Bryan known as the "Odd Fellows School Building. „45 The location was bounded by Anderson (26th,), Preston, Mosely (25th) and Polk Streets. 46 It did not take long to remodel the school house. 42 The Brazos Pilot and Bryan Eagle, Bryan, Texas, September 12, 1895, p. 1. 4 -bacramental Records, St. Joseph Church, Bryan, Texas. 4 ualveston Daily News, Galveston, Texas, May 13, 1884, p. 1. 41 Brazos County, Texas Deed Records, Court House, Bryan, Texas, Book X, Page 184. 4 nap, ibid. 9 "The Catholics have the finest church in Bryan. "47 The article gives a good description of the church, and it had to be completed by July 13, 1883 in order to give such a detailed description of the church. This location became the permanent site of St. Joseph Church to this date. A house was built in 1889 for use as a rectory for the pastors of St. Joseph Church. 48 The church built in 1883 was succeeded by a. new frame - structure church in 1904, the year Father J. B. Gleissner was appointed pastor. The present structure, at the intersection of East 26th Street and Preston, was dedicated in 1960 (while Rev. Timothy Valenta was pastor.)" 49 Other pastors to serve St. Joseph Church after Rev. Lisicki include Rev. Adam Laski, who served from June 22, 1884 until January 29, 1888; Revs. James Grabinger of Brenham and Peter Litwora of Bremond, from May 10, 1888 until January 13, 1889; Rev. Jacobus or James Dunn (Dum) from March 22, 1889 until November 4, 1889; Rev. Peter Litwora from November 24, 1889 until July 13, 1890; and Rev. Joseph Pelnar from 30 July 1890 until February 5, 1900; Rev. Charles Kolin from April 5, 1900 until April 12, 1902; Rev. Francis Machan from April 28, 1902 until March 2, 1904; Rev. John Baptist Gleissner from April 25, 1904 until his death 28 February 1953; Rev. Timothy Valenta 1953 -1978; and Rev. John Driscoll 1978- 1985. The present pastor is Rev. John McCaffrey since 1985. St. Joseph Catholic Church was the first Catholic church established in Bryan and possibly Brazos County. The church has influenced the people of Brazos County by meeting the spiritual and material needs of the people through many of its services and 4 7Brazos Pilot, Bryan, Texas, July 12, 1883, pg. 3. 4 1echanic's Lien Book of Brazos County, Texas, Court House, Book A, pgs. 205 -209. 4 -brundidge, ibid. 5 bacramental Records, St. Joseph Church, ibid. 10 organizations. The K.J.T. (Katolicka Jednota Texaska) Czech Catholic Union of Texas was organized in 1889; St. Joseph Parochial School was opened in 1895; St. Elizabeth Society was formed in 1897; Mt. Calvary Cemetery was dedicated in 1898; Villa Maria Academy was moved in 1901 to Bryan after the Galveston storm and served St. Joseph School; St. Clair Society was formed in 1915; Knights of Columbus was organized in 1916; St. Monica's Mother Club was formed in 1920; a new school was built at St. Joseph's in 1924; the first St. Mary's Chapel at Texas A &M University was dedicated in 1926; the C. Y. 0. (Catholic Youth Organization) was organized in 1935; a new school, gym and convent was built in 1948; St. Mary's Center was dedicated in 1954; St. Joseph Eagles won the State Championship in Catholic School Football League of Texas in 1956; new St. Mary's Chapel dedicated in 1.958; new St. Joseph Church was dedicated in 1960; C.Y.O. Youth Center was dedicated in 1966; St. Monica's Mother Club became St. Joseph's Home and School Association in 1967; St. Joseph Eagles won the Greater Houston Junior High Football Championship in 1970; Investiture of Knights of St. Gregory in 1972; 51 Mt. Calvary- Smetana Cemetery and a Parish Activity Center was built in 1988; Travis Elementary School was purchased from Bryan I.S.D. in June 1990. Other parish activities include the Women's Guild, the Age Managers, P.N.A. (Polish National Alliance), Nursing Home Visitors, Sponsor Couples, Parish Nursery, Jail Ministry, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4 -H Club, Folk Group and Children's Choir, Ladies Bible Study, Charismatic Prayer 5 1100th Anniversary 1873 -1973, ibid. Listed under "Events of the First 25 Years 1873 -1898, Events of the Second 25 Years 1899 -1923, Events of the Third 25 Years 1924 -1948, Events of the Fourth 25 Years 1949 - 1973." 52" Questionnaire for the use of the Chancery Office, Austin Diocese," St. Joseph Church, Bryan, Texas, by Helen Metzer, Secretary, dated January 7, 1992. 11 Group, and Evening Bible Study. 53 Many members of St. Joseph Catholic Church have served the community and their country by volunteer and /or paid services. "The most striking feature in St. Joseph Parish's long history is the fact that it has survived so many difficulties. It is a testament to God's care and blessings and the dedication and determination of faithful parishioners. St. Joseph Parish has grown from a little frontier mission to a large, urban parish with a church that stands tall and beautiful on the exact bend in the road where the little Church once stood, modest and hopeful. " The present site of St. Joseph Catholic Church has been in existence since 1883 or 113 years ago, and is worthy of a Texas Historical site marker. By: Joanne D. Glowski, 4131 Bethel, Houston, TX 77092 AC 713 681 -5619 01996 5 t. Joseph Catholic Church, Bryan, Texas, no date or author, published ca. 1992 by St. Joseph Church, Bryan, Texas. Includes a history of St. Joseph Church, together with Roster Listing and pictures of many of its members. 5 � t. Joseph Catholic Church, ibid. 12 BIBLIOGRAPHY Brazos Pilot and Bryan Eagle Newspaper, Bryan, Texas. Brenham Banner, Brenham, Texas. Brundidge, Glenna Fourman. Brazos County, Rich Past - Bright Future. Family History Foundation, Bryan, Texas, 1986. Cleburne Chronicle Newspaper, Cleburne, Texas. Deed Records of Brazos County, Texas, Court House, Bryan, Texas. Dworaczyk, Rev. Edward J., The First Polish Colonies of America in Texas, The Naylor Company, San Antonio, Texas, 1936. Early Priests Who Served in Bryan, Texas. St. Joseph Church File, Bryan, Texas. Catholic Archives of Texas, Austin, Texas. no author or date. Galveston Daily News Newspaper, Galveston, Texas. Glennon, Sister Mary Carmelita. Thesis. "History of the Diocese of Galveston 1847 - 1874." St. Mary's Academy, Austin, Texas. 1943. Hayes, Mary Ed. Millican, Texas. Millican, Texas, 1986. History of Church of the Assumption - Waco, Texas. Central Texas Genealogical Society, Inc., Vol. XXIX No. 3, Fall 1986. Houston Post, Houston, Texas. Letter dated October 23, 1991, Diocese of Austin, Austin, Texas. Map of the City of Bryan, Deed Records of Brazos County, Texas, Court House, Bryan, Texas. Marriage Records of Brazos County, Texas, Court House, Bryan, Texas. Mechanic's Lien Book of Brazos County, Texas, Court House, Bryan, Texas. Official Catholic Directory. Catholic Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland. Various years. Questionnaire for the use of the Chancery Office, Austin Diocese. St. Joseph Church, Bryan, Texas, Catholic Archives of Texas, Austin, Texas. Questionnaire for the use of the Chancery Office, Diocese of Galveston. St. Joseph Church, Bryan, Texas, Catholic Archives of Texas, Austin, Texas. Sacramental Records, Annunciation Catholic Church, Houston, Texas. Sacramental Records, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bryan, Texas. St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bryan, Texas. no date or author, published ca. 1992 by St. Joseph Church, Bryan, Texas. St. Joseph Parish, Bryan, Texas, 100th Anniversary 1873 -1973. no author, no date, ca 1973. Tax Rolls 1873 -1886, Brazos County, Texas. Tax Assessor Office, Bryan, Texas.