Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
La Coste, Medina County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This church was established in 1911 after a petition to build a Catholic Church in Lacoste was made the previous year. Prior to this church, area Catholics had to travel to Castroville to attend mass. Emil Zinsmeyer donated the land for the church, school and cemetery. Work was completed on the red brick, gothic-style building in 1911 and named Our Lady of Grace. It has also been called St. Mary’s, Mother of Grace, and Mary Mother of Grace. This church is the oldest and largest church in the greater Lacoste area and has served the community for over 100 years. An annual festival, held on the second Sunday in June since 1925, is the largest event in the community.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Before 1911, Catholics around La Coste had to travel all the way to Castroville for Mass, so the community petitioned for a church of its own. Emil Zinsmeyer donated land for a church, school, and cemetery, and that year a red-brick Gothic building rose and was named Our Lady of Grace. For more than a century it has been the area's largest congregation, its June festival the community's signature gathering since 1925.
Why it matters
It shows how immigrant Catholic families anchored small Texas towns through shared faith and enduring community traditions.
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Related people
- · Emil Zinsmeyer
Themes & tags
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