San Salvador Mission Church
Caldwell, Burleson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
San Salvador, a mission of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Bryan, was named for the patron saint of Cefalu, Sicily, the native village of Italian immigrants who came here in 1894. Religious services were held in homes until 1908, when devout families each gave cotton from ten field rows to buy materials, and the men worked six weeks to build this church. First Mass was said at its Altar in Oct. 1908. In 1952 the building was remodeled, and a new Altar was added in 1965.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
San Salvador was founded by Italian immigrants who arrived in 1894 and named their mission for the patron saint of Cefalù, Sicily, their home village. Worship was held in family homes until 1908, when devout families each donated cotton from ten field rows to buy materials and the men spent six weeks building this church, where the first Mass was said that October. Remodeled in 1952 and given a new altar in 1965, it remains a monument to immigrant faith and self-reliance.
Why it matters
The church is a tangible record of Sicilian immigrants planting their faith and community in rural Texas, a small chapter of the great American immigration story.
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Themes & tags
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