Mentz in Colorado County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mentz Bernardo Community
Photographed By James Hulse, April 15, 2022
1. Mentz Bernardo Community Marker
As early as the 1830s German immigrants had begun to settle in the general vicinity of Cat Spring. They were soon joined by others who preferred this region to the various sites that had been designated for formal colonization efforts. With the area's continued growth, the settlements of Bernardo (4 Mi. E) and Mentz developed as early focal points of the surrounding agricultural community.The German settlers who founded Mentz named the pioneer community for an area of their homeland. Predominately Roman Catholic, they established St. Roch Parish by 1858 under the leadership of priests from Frelsburg. The church developed as the religious, social and cultural center of the area.
Bernardo was begun about 1845 on an important early route from Houston to inland settlements. Because of its location on the prairie land of the San Bernard river, the rural community was first known as Bernardo Prairie.
Once identified by separate schools and post offices, the two settlements now share a common lifestyle and heritage, which reflect the continued influence of the early German settlers. Their descendants still live in
Photographed By James Hulse, April 15, 2022
2. The Mentz Bernardo Community Marker in front of the St. Roch’s Catholic Church
this page online
Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3341.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 29° 45.01′ N, 96° 26.303′ W. Marker is in Mentz, Texas, in Colorado County. Marker is on Mentz Road, 0.1 miles east of Frelsburg Road, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located on the front entrance to the church on the west side. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 Frelsburg Road, Alleyton TX 78935, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Rock's Church (here, next to this marker); Alleyton C.S.A. (approx. 3.8 miles away); Alleyton Cemetery (approx. 3.9 miles away); Alleyton (approx. 4.2 miles away); Beason's (Beeson's) Crossing (approx. 6.6 miles away); Harrison-Hastedt House (approx. 6.6 miles away); Benjamin Beason's Crossing (approx. 6.6 miles away); Hahn House (approx. 6.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Mentz, TX.
The settlers built a small church in 1858 and named it after a St. Roch chapel in the vicinity of Bingen and Büdesheim. From 1872 to 1916 Mentz had a Catholic school staffed by the Sisters of Divine Providence.(Submitted on April 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)Source : The Handbook of TexasPhotographed By James Hulse, April 15, 20223. The view of the St. Roch’s Catholic Church and marker from the parking lot
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
