OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

DIOCESE OF AUSTIN

History of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

First Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

First Church

The parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe dates back to the month of April, 1907.  It was located on the corner of 5th and Guadalupe Streets.  The Holy Cross Fathers were in charge of the parish until 1925 when the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate took over the direction of the parish.  The first Oblates to come were Father Jose Prieto as pastor and Father Francis Mysliwiec as associate.

Great was the rejoicing at their arrival.  The new Pastor had come from the Pro-Cathedral of St. Augustine, Laredo, Texas with all the experience of sacred oratory he learned in Spain and France.  He was well prepared to revive the ebbing spirits of the Mexican Americans.  He began by preaching a two week's mission, and so great was the attendance and the consequent fruit of the mission that it immediately became necessary to seek a more ample site for the church and the school.

On the other hand, the new families which were coming in, were located mostly to the east of the city.  For this reason the Catholic Mission Guild purchased the site which is now occupied by the church of Christ the King, and a short time later Father Francis Balzola O.M.I., successor to Father Prieto O.M.I., bought the land which now comprises Guadalupe Parish.

He tore down the church and school at 5th and Guadalupe, and with the materials left over constructed the new spacious church which was blessed on the 5th of September 1926.  The property acquired for the new church already had a school on it.  To complete the parish plant, the Father's rectory was built in December, 1926.