|
History in
a Pecan Shell
For many years the communities of Las Gallinas and Leming
have been erroneously considered as one.
A Town is Born – Again
Las Gallinas emerges from the Shadow of Leming
by Herman J. Rakowitz
Las Gallinas was settled in the mid-1800's by immigrants from Silensia,
Poland. My great grandfather purchased land and settled there with
his family in 1867. Las Gallinas still exists today. It is located
approximately 3 miles north of Leming, on Hwy. 281. The heart of
the community is located at the intersection of FM 536 and Hwy. 281,
and includes much of the surrounding area. The creek that runs across
281, and then crosses FM 536 is the Las Gallinas Creek... read
full article › |
 |
Las Gallinas'
History
(As
stated by a marker at the site of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church):
“St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Las Gallinas, Texas was organized as
a parish in 1876 by eight families. The original families were Kasper
Kalka, John Korus, Mrs. Anna Skwortz, Joseph Kindla, Sr., Mrs. Anna
Salzman, Wilfred Toudouze, Victor Hug and Frank Keenas. If Sunday
mass was not possible, the people would gather at the home of Kasper
Kalka and recite the fifteen mysteries of the rosary and the litany
of the saints. A temporary church was built of 1 x 12 boards brought
from Cuero
by John Kalka. The floor sills and shingles were made of native woods.
Mrs. Anna Salzman , Kasper Kalka, and John Korus each donated one
acre of land for the larger church which was started in 1881. Parishioners:
Benjamin Arnold, Emil Arnold, and Fridelin Herr built the church.
In 1896, they, with the help of Max Schuritz put in the ceiling, built
a bell tower, and made the present pews. The first organ was purchased
in 1913. In 1918 the main alter was purchased and the bell donated
by Joseph Kindla. During that (illegible) the baptismal font, the
hanging sanctua (illegible)and padding for the kneelers were donated
(illegible) Mrs. Julius Espey, Sr. and Mrs. Anna Haiduk. (Illegible)
the summer of 1919 a small community of Benedi (illegible) sisters
came to St. Joseph’s where a two-story convent was built - the first
in Texas. Three local girls joined the
Benedictine Order ; Katherine Hug (Sister Benedicta), Mary Stanush
(Sister Mary Christina), and Cecilia Hug (Sister Mildred). The school
building was turned back to the archbishop for indebtedness in 1926,
and these sisters were sent to San
Antonio. Two other local girls became sisters later; Mary Espey
(Sister Julie Adele) and Cecilia Rodriquez (Sister Joan Elise); and
in 1931 Father Henry Hug was ordained. During the 1940’s El Carmen
Catholic Church, Losoya was a mission
of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. More history can be found in the
chancery archives in San
Antonio. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was destroyed by fire on
December 15, 1983.”
-
Transcribed by Terry
Jeanson, November 2009 |
 |
Las Gallinas
TX - St. Joseph's Catholic Church Marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, November 2009 |
St. Joseph's
Catholic Church site
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, November 2009 |
"St. Joseph's
Catholic Church 1876-1983 Las Gallinas, Texas"
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, November 2009 |
St. Joseph's
Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, November 2009 |
St.
Joseph's Catholic Church Marker Text
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, November 2009 |
Atascosa
County 1907 postal map showing Las Gallinas as Gallinas
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
