San Patricio in San Patricio County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Saint Patrick's Catholic Church
Photographed by Michael Heinich, August 31, 2014
1. Saint Patrick's Catholic Church Marker
Empresarios John McMullen and James McGloin brought Irish Catholic immigrant families to Texas about 1829 to form a new colony, San Patricio de Hibernia. Under the direction of the Rev. Henry Doyle, the colonists established Saint Patrick's Catholic Church about 1830. A fire in 1858 destroyed the original frame church building and all church records. The Rt. Rev. Jean Marie Odin, first Bishop of Texas, dedicated a replacement church building about 1859.
Local citizens built a two-and-one-half story building for a convent and school on the grounds of Saint Patrick's Church. After an 1875 hurricane destroyed facilities at Indianola, nuns from the order of Sisters of Mercy relocated in San Patricio and operated Saint Joseph's convent and school from 1876 until 1884.
After a 1919 hurricane completely demolished the church facilities, the congregation rebuilt in 1922. A need for a larger facility led the congregation to build a fourth structure in 1961. Through the years Saint Patrick's Catholic Church has served the community with Sunday Mass and the sacraments and missions given by visiting priests.
Erected 1992 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4476.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education
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Location. 27° 57.292′ N, 97° 46.315′ W. Marker is in San Patricio, Texas, in San Patricio County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Route 666) and Magnolia Street (County Route 60), on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mathis TX 78368, 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 Dougherty House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Education in San Patricio (about 400 feet away); Old Cemetery on the Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of San Patricio (approx. 0.2 miles away); Josepha Rodriguez (approx. 0.2 miles away); Courthouses of San Patricio County (approx. 0.2 miles away); San Patricio County (approx. Ό mile away); San Patricio de Hibernia (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Patricio.
Photographed by Michael Heinich, August 31, 2014
2. Saint Patrick's Catholic Church Marker
Photographed by Michael Heinich, August 31, 2014
3. Saint Patrick's Catholic Church
Photographed by Michael Heinich, August 31, 2014
4. Virgin Mary shrine at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 12, 2026
5. Saint Patrick's Catholic Church and marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2014, by Michael Heinich of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,190 times since then and 80 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 27, 2014, by Michael Heinich of Austin, Texas. 5. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
