Notre Dame Catholic Church
Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Originally organized in 1892 as a mission named St. Mary of the Assumption, it became a parish church in 1911 under Father Henry Michael Kemper. He moved the church to its permanent location soon after and established a school. In 1915, the church sponsored Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and School to serve Hispanic Catholics; they merged with Notre Dame in 1955. When a new church was built in 1935, the name was changed to Notre Dame. A social center was built in 1979 and a larger church building in 1990. Members have reached out to the community through a jail ministry, food pantry, free medical clinic and a host of other volunteer ministries. Today, the church continues to play a vital role in Kerrville.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1892 as the mission of St. Mary of the Assumption, this Kerrville congregation became a full parish in 1911 and soon added a school under Father Henry Michael Kemper. In 1915 it sponsored Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and School to serve Hispanic Catholics, a companion congregation that merged back into the parish in 1955, and the church took its present name, Notre Dame, when a new building rose in 1935. Over the decades its members extended outreach through jail ministry, a food pantry, and a free medical clinic.
Why it matters
It reflects the growth of Catholic education and social ministry in the Texas Hill Country and the church's role in serving both Anglo and Hispanic communities.
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Related people
- · Henry Michael Kemper
Themes & tags
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