St. Mary's Catholic Church
Sherman, Grayson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
St. Mary's Catholic Church The first recorded mass in Sherman took place in 1872, and three years later Bishop Claude Dubuis of the diocese of Galveston created a parish here and sent the Rev. Louis Granger to serve as first pastor. A wooden chapel housed worship services until this church building was completed in 1906. St. Mary's is an excellent example of the work of noted Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton, who included Gothic and Romanesque elements in his design. Built by contractor William Cornish & Sons, the church is a significant part of Sherman's architectural heritage. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2001
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Catholic worship in Sherman began with a recorded mass in 1872, and by 1875 the diocese of Galveston had established a parish and sent its first pastor. A wooden chapel served until this church was completed in 1906 — a design by the noted Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton that blended Gothic and Romanesque elements. It remains a landmark of the town's architectural heritage.
Why it matters
The church reflects the spread of organized Catholic congregations across nineteenth-century Texas and the reach of a celebrated regional architect whose work defined public building in the era.
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Related people
- · Nicholas Clayton
- · Louis Granger
Themes & tags
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