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Las
Gallinas TX - St. Joseph's Catholic Church Marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, November 2009 |
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... next
page >
Las
Gallinas' History
Photographer
Visits Las Gallinas: |
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 |
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.”
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Transcribed by Terry
Jeanson, November 2009 | |
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