New Waverly in Walker County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Photographed by James Hulse, August 21, 2021

1. St. Joseph's Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. The Rev. Felix Orzechowski, who came to Texas in 1866 to answer an appeal for Polish missionaries, organized St. Joseph's Parish in 1869. The first Catholic Church in Walker County, it served the many Polish families who settled this area in the 1870s. Church tradition often sustained the immigrants until they adjusted to life in a new country. Services were held outdoors or in private homes during Father Orzechowski's Pastorate. Soon after leaving this parish in 1876, he returned to Poland and was imprisoned by ruling Russian officials for advocating democratic ideas.

A frame church building was erected in 1877 under the direction of the Rev. Victor Justinia Linicki, who was a Polish Baron before he became a priest. A larger edifice, designed by Tom Lavandoski, was built in 1897, and the original structure was used as a school. The present church was begun in 1905 and dedicated on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 1908, during the pastorate of the Rev. Thomas Aloysius Bily (1859-1921). The stately Gothic-style structure, designed by L.S. Green, reflects the European heritage of the parishioners.

The Parish school was operated until 1951. St. Joseph's Catholic Church continues to minister to descendants of New Waverly's historic Polish community.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1975

Erected

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1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8472.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is March 19, 1908.

Location. 30° 32.157′ N, 95° 28.882′ W. Marker is in New Waverly, Texas, in Walker County. It is at the intersection of Elmore Street and Walker Street, on the left when traveling south on Elmore Street. The marker is located on the south side of the entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Elmore Street, New Waverly TX 77358, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Western Grove Baptist Church (approx. half a mile away); Minnie Fisher Cunningham (approx. 2.8 miles away); Site of former town of Danville (approx. 4.2 miles away); Elijah Collard (approx. 4.3 miles away); East Sandy Community (approx. 6 miles away); Willis Male and Female College (approx. 7½ miles away); Site of Willis Cigar Factory (approx. 7.6 miles away); Willis Methodist Church (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Waverly.

The entrance to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 21, 2021

2. The entrance to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church

The view of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 21, 2021

3. The view of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 364 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.