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History of St. James The Apostle Church Refugio, Texas

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Priest of St. James

Father Michael Puig (1929-1933)
Father Anthony Elsing, MSF (1933-1936)
Father John Lucassen, MSF (1936-1948)
Father Theodore Kaiser, MSF (1948-1949)
Father Ferdinand Strueder, MSF (1949-1969)
Father Herman Berg, MSF (1969-1981)
Father Henry Romer, MSF (1981-1983)
Father Gary Nichols, MSF (1983-1984)
Father Donald Downey (1984-1985)
Father Michael Lenihan (1985-1987)
Father Domingo de Llano (1987-1992)
Father Richard W. Falice (1992-1992)
Father Thomas J. Grennan (1992-1993)
Father Ramiro Trejo, O.F.M (1993-1994)
Father Thomas P. Freeney (1994-1997)
Father John Michael Vega (1997-1999)
Msgr. Robert Freeman (1999-2001)
Father Zenon Konowalek (2001-2012)
Father John Mckenzie (2012-2019)
Father Bill Marquis 2019 - Present

The History of St. James starts in 1928 Father J.B. Donato, pastor of Our Lady of Refuge Church, aided with the charity of Mrs. Phil Hynes, undertook the task of building the wooden frame building of the first St. James Church. The actual construction of the this church was begun on November 20, 1928 and completed and blessed on October 13, 1929. It was the expression of a deep devotion of Father Donato`s youth in Spain, where St. James the Apostle is especially venerated, that the parish received its name. The first Pastor of the new parish was Father Michael Puig who ministered to a large area on horseback. His name can be found in baptismal books of many parishes in this area. In 1933 the parish of St. James was placed in the care of the Missionary Fathers of the Holy Family from St. Louis, Missouri. Father Anthony Elsing, MSF, was the first Pastor under this administration. The present St. James Church was built and dedicated on August 16. 1959 by the Most Rev. Mariano S. Garriga, Bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. The new brick building was also financed by Mrs. Phil Hynes in memory of her parents, the late Mr. & Mrs. James Lambert.
A special feature of the new church is a side chapel of St. Patrick`s, dedicated to the Irish pioneeres who settled here in Refugio. The Pastor at the time of the construction of the new church was Father Ferdinand P. Strueder, MSF, who served the parish for 20 years. In 1984 the pastoral care od St. James Parish was given to diocesan priests and Father Donald Downey became the first diocesan pastor. In 2019 our present Pastor is Father Bill.. The Feast Day of St. James the Greater The Apostle Our Patron Saint is celebrated on July 25th. Pray for us St. James!

ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC PARISH FOUNDED 1929

Refugio, TX

History of St. James The Apostle Church Refugio, Texas

Priest of St. James