Dubuis House
Castroville, Medina County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The two original rooms in this house were erected 1847 by Father Claude M. Dubuis, from Lyons, France, aided by Father Chazelle (who soon died of typhus). Father Dubuis, the first priest in Castro's colony, was captured twice by Comanches in 1847, but escaped unharmed. He later was Bishop of Texas. This house replaced a picket hut. It was first example of French-Alsatian architecture in Castroville. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1847, in the newly settled Alsatian colony of Castroville, French priest Father Claude M. Dubuis and Father Chazelle raised the first two rooms of this house; Chazelle soon died of typhus. Dubuis, the colony's first priest, was twice captured by Comanches that same year yet escaped unharmed, and later rose to become Bishop of Texas. The dwelling was the colony's first example of French-Alsatian architecture and was named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1966.
Why it matters
The house embodies the immigrant frontier of early statehood Texas, where European settlers, Catholic missionaries, and Comanche resistance all met on the same contested ground.
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Related people
- · Father Claude M. Dubuis
- · Father Chazelle
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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St. Louis Day
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Since at least 1847 the Alsatian Catholic community of Castroville has kept a summer holiday around August 25, the Feast of St. Louis. Early processions escorted the clergy from the priests' house to the church amid clanging anvils and a blaring band, followed by a High Mass, pit-barbecued beef and sausage, homemade sides, and an evening dance. Organized by the St. Louis Society since 1875 and raising funds for the parish since 1889, the celebration still winds from the church to Koenig Park each year.