St. John's Catholic Church
Hermleigh, Scurry County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This area was settled in the early 1900s by a number of farm families from South Texas. Catholic services were first conducted by priests from Abilene in the homes of Albert J. Kuss, Sr. (1863-1945) and other settlers. The Church of Francis Xavier was built in 1908 on land donated by Robert Herm (1874-1927) in the new town of Hermleigh. In 1936 the name of the church was changed when funds were given to the congregation with the stipulation that its name be St. John's. Included in the new Diocese of Lubbock in 1983, St. John's is the oldest parish in the Diocese. (1988)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In the early 1900s farm families moving up from South Texas settled the Scurry County plains, and traveling priests from Abilene first said Mass in their homes. A church rose in 1908 on land donated by Robert Herm in the new town of Hermleigh, later renamed St. John's when a gift arrived with that condition attached. When the Diocese of Lubbock was created in 1983, St. John's stood as its oldest parish.
Why it matters
It marks the quiet faith-driven settlement of West Texas farming country, where a scattered congregation anchored a brand-new frontier town.
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Related people
- ¡ Robert Herm
- ¡ Albert J. Kuss, Sr.
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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