Fayetteville in Fayette County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Reverend Joseph Chromcik

Photographed by James Hulse, October 6, 2021

1. The Reverend Joseph Chromcik Marker

Inscription. Czech Catholics, who settled in Fayette County in the mid-1850s, were initially served by area priests. Eventually they petitioned the Bishop of Texas for their own Czech priest, and in 1872 the Rev. Joseph Chromcik (1845-1910) arrived from Europe. He held his first service in Fayetteville that year and became Texas' first permanent Czech Catholic priest. He established Chromcik School and many churches, and was instrumental in establishing the KJT, or Czech Catholic Union of Texas. He was fondly referred to as "Taticek" (Dear Little Father) by many of the people who knew him.

Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5305.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 29° 54.436′ N, 96° 40.589′ W. Marker is in Fayetteville, Texas, in Fayette County. It is at the intersection of East Bell Street and North Church Street, on the right when traveling south on East Bell Street. The marker is located at the front entrance to the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 East Bell Street, Fayetteville TX 78940, 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 walking distance of this marker: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (a few steps from this marker); Chromcik Public School (within shouting distance

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of this marker); St John Parochial School (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Svrcek Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Baca Saloon & Confectionary (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Svrcek Garage (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fayetteville SPJST (approx. 0.2 miles away); Zapp Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fayetteville.

Also see . . . Chromcik, Josef.

Letters to his homeland encouraged countrymen to come to the new land, which he described as a new free world. He sponsored many families in their journey to Texas, and on July 1878 he became a American citizen. In 1894 he returned to his homeland to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination. A celebration was held with many young children carrying flowers honoring him. He returned with priests for new parishes. In 1894 he recorded 218 family names in the area surrounding Fayetteville. In 1994 a large number of those surnames still appeared. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on October 8, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by James Hulse, October 6, 2021

2. The Reverend Joseph Chromcik Marker

The Reverend Joseph Chromcik Marker is the marker on the left of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 6, 2021

3. The Reverend Joseph Chromcik Marker is the marker on the left of the two markers

Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.