St. Peter's Catholic Church
Blessing, Matagorda County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Though Catholic settlers initially arrived in this area in the 1800s, it was in 1912, just five years after the founding of blessing, that a mass was held in the community. At first, mass was held in the homes of blessing residents, whenever traveling priests were available. In 1914, the Townsite Company, owned by city founder Jonathan Edwards Pierce, donated land for use as a church. Catholic residents completed construction on a building on the property in 1915. It was placed under the patronage of Saint Peter. At first, St. Peter’s Catholic Church was a mission parish attended on occasion by priests from Victoria, Port Lavaca and other surrounding communities. In 1930, the Rev. A.J. Weber became the church’s first resident priest. The church has moved twice in its long history. In 1947, members purchased this property, opening a remodeled army chapel here the next year. That structure was replaced by the current one, which was dedicated in 1976. The congregation of St. Peter’s Catholic Church has a long history of helping residents of the Blessing Community. They have provided regular meals to senior citizens, and have given food and other donations to the needy. The congregation has also organized area social events, including an annual fall festival which has become a community tradition. Today, St. Peter’s Catholic Church continues to be a beacon of light in the blessing community, serving the needs of area residents.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Just five years after the town of Blessing was founded, Catholic residents gathered for their first Mass in 1912, celebrated in private homes by traveling priests. Town founder Jonathan Edwards Pierce's Townsite Company donated land in 1914, and the parish of St. Peter's took shape the next year, gaining its first resident priest in 1930. The congregation has since rebuilt twice—including a remodeled army chapel—and become known for feeding seniors and hosting the community's beloved fall festival.
Why it matters
It traces how a frontier-era railroad town in coastal Texas grew a lasting religious and charitable community from scattered mission Masses.
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Related people
- · Jonathan Edwards Pierce
- · Rev. A. J. Weber
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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