Saint Mary's Help of Christians Catholic Church
Blanco vicinity, Blanco County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In 1850s when first Catholic families came to Blanco County, worship was in homes and halls. Land was purchased in 1887. By efforts of Father Virgilius Draessel and people of Twin Sisters, this church was built and dedicated in 1889. Stone for foundation came from quarry about a mile from site. Other building materials came by wagon over 30 miles of rough roads and trails. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When the first Catholic families settled Blanco County in the 1850s, they worshiped in homes and halls until land was bought in 1887. Through the efforts of Father Virgilius Draessel and the people of Twin Sisters, this stone church was built and dedicated in 1889, its foundation quarried a mile away and its other materials hauled more than thirty miles over rough trails. It was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1965.
Why it matters
The labor of hauling stone and timber across the Hill Country to raise a church shows the determination of frontier immigrant congregations to plant permanent faith communities in the West.
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Related people
- · Virgilius Draessel
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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