The Catholic Church was and still is an important part of the Polish immigrants life. This page pays tribute to the churches in Texas that were primarily built by Polish immigrants and other churches where there was a strong Polish influence in the congregation.
Click on small thumbnail photos below to enlarge the photo.
New Waverly, Texas
St. Joseph parish was born in 1870, but a church was not built until 1876. In the intervening years Masses were offered in private homes. In 1897, a second church was built, making a school out of the old church. The size of the church was about 40 by 68 feet with 12 foot high walls. The main alter was given to the new St.Joseph’s Church by a Chicago publishing firm, the parish paying the freight. The church could accommodate about 200, and for the next year only about one-half of the church had pews, and the other half was just standing room. In 1902 Father Thomas A. Bily began plans for a new larger church. The present day church was dedicated on March 19, 1906, the feast of St. Joseph.
For more information see History of St. Joseph Catholic Church, New Waverly
Chappell Hill, Texas
The polish community of Chappell Hill is situated in Washington County, midway between Houston and Austin. In 1888, Rev. James Grabinger, announced that a church would be built in Chappell Hill. The great hurricane of 1900 destroyed this first church. The church, which was a small frame building, was blown down on September 9, 1900. The second church, a frame structure of 40′ x 80′, was built in 1901, facing west and was located where the old rectory stands today. On December 4, 1921, a fire that started after Mass on Sunday destroyed the church, rectory and the parish office. The third and present church was started in January 1922, and completed in August 1924.
For more information see History of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Chappell Hill, Texas
Bremond, Texas
There was no Catholic church when Jozef Bartula and his family came to Bremond in 1875. However, a priest was coming from the church of St. Mary of the Assumption, Waco TX to minister to the Catholics in Bremond. In 1878 Father Mosiewicz began to build a church in Bremond. The first wooden church was 50 feet long and 25 feet wide. A cross extended from a spire 40 feet above the ground. A bell, hung from a wooden platform near the church, called the people to worship. A new brick church was dedicated on 17 Feb 1909. The structure was of Gothic style with dimensions 125 feet by 62 feet. The brick church was torn down in 1970 and the current church was built in 1971.
For more information see History of St. Mary Catholic Church – Bremond, Texas
Brenham, Texas
For more information see History of St. Mary Catholic Church, Brenham, Texas
Anderson, Texas
For more information see History of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, Anderson, Texas
Stoneham, Texas
For more information see History of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stoneham, Texas
Panna Maria, Texas
For more information see Panna Maria, Texas: The First Polish Settlement in America
Bandera, Texas
For more information see Emigration Of Bandera Texas Polish Silesians
