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

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

Photographed by James Hulse, February 17, 2022

1. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. In 1872 the Rev. Jean Baptiste Teitien was appointed as an assistant pastor at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Victoria. There he realized the need for a separate parish to serve the area's German-speaking community. He received permission to begin a new church from the Rt. Rev. Anthony Dominic Pellicer, first bishop of the Diocese of San Antonio, and traveled to his native Germany to collect funds for the construction of a church building. He returned to Victoria with enough money to begin construction, and in 1875 he led the first worship services in the completed building for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. After serving as pastor for sixteen years, Teitien resigned to return to Germany, where he died in 1923.

Another minister who served Our Lady of Lourdes was the Rev. F.X. Heck (b.1864), who succeeded Teitien and left in 1905 to become pastor of St. Mary's Church in Victoria. The original church building was destroyed by fire during the pastorate of the Rev. Lawrence Etschenberg (1870-1946) and was replaced with the current structure in 1924.

The history of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church is an important reminder of the cultural heritage of Victoria and Victoria County.

Erected 1984 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6557.)

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 28° 47.951′ N, 97° 0.24′ W. Marker is in Victoria, Texas, in Victoria County. It is at the intersection of North Williams Street and East Forrest Street, on the right when traveling south on North Williams Street. The marker is located on the left side of the front entrance of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 North Williams Street, Victoria TX 77901, 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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Federal Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Hauschild Opera House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joe F. and Amelia Jecker House (about 300 feet away); Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (about 400 feet away); O'Connor-Proctor Building (about 600 feet away); De Leon Plaza (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Victoria Advocate (about 700 feet away); Pela House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The "Victoria Advocate" (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

The Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 17, 2022

2. The Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Marker

The view of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 17, 2022

3. The view of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Marker from across the street

(the marker is to the far left in the photo)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.