Saint Mary's Cathedral
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In 1851 the Catholics of Austin wrote to the Most Rev. John M. Odin (1801-1871), first bishop of Texas: “This City s improving rapidly and our intentions are to build a church . . .if we can get a clergyman to stay among us.” Father Michael Sheehan was sent. Soon a small church was built on the corner of Ash (Ninth) and Brazos Streets. The new parish was called Saint Patrick’s, but the name was changed to Saint Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception in 1866. In 1874, at the invitation of Bishop Claude M. DeBuis, the Holy Cross priests, brothers, and sisters from Notre Dame, Indiana, came to Austin to establish a school (now Saint Edward’s University), and to serve at St. Mary’s – as they have now (1977) done for over a century. Upon their arrival, the present church, designed by architect Nicholas Clayton of Galveston, was built of native limestone. It was dedicated in 1884. The 2000-pound bell first tolled from the tower in July 4, 1886. The stained glass windows from Germany and France were added in the 1890s. Saint Mary’s was designated the cathedral for the newly-established Diocese of Austin in 1947. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark -- 1977
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1851 the small Catholic community of Austin wrote to Texas's first bishop asking for a priest to help them build a church, and Father Michael Sheehan was sent. The parish—first St. Patrick's, renamed St. Mary's in 1866—grew until the present limestone church, designed by noted Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton, was dedicated in 1884, its two-ton bell ringing out in 1886 and German and French stained glass added in the 1890s. When the Diocese of Austin was created in 1947, St. Mary's became its cathedral.
Why it matters
St. Mary's charts the growth of Catholic life in central Texas from a frontier mission plea to a diocesan seat, and the arrival of Holy Cross clergy who also founded St. Edward's University.
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Related people
- · John M. Odin
- · Michael Sheehan
- · Nicholas Clayton
- · Claude M. Dubuis
Related events
- · Founding of Diocese of Austin
Themes & tags
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