Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Old St. Patrick's Church
St. Patrick's parish included only 19 families when the Rev. Bernard O'Reilly (1821-75) became first resident pastor in 1853. He supervised construction of Corpus Christi's first Catholic Church. The adobe building stood on Tancahua Street property donated by Henry L. Kinney.
In 1880 construction was begun on a larger building, located at the same site but facing Karankawa Street. Designed by architect Charles Carroll, a parish member who donated his services, the second St. Patrick's was a frame structure with two towers. Bells for the church were given by Mifflin Kenedy, whose wife was a parishioner. Dedicated in November 1882, the church soon became a Corpus Christi landmark. For many years, services were held in both English and Spanish. St. Patrick's was designated a cathedral March 23, 1912, during the pastorate of the Rev. Claude Jaillet (1843-1929), who served there for 30 years.
Growth of the congregation and fire damage to the frame church in 1938 prompted construction of the present Corpus Christi Cathedral. Erected on property donated by the John Kenedy family, the Spanish Colonial style edifice was dedicated July 17, 1940. The old frame structure was dismantled in 1951 and used in building Our Lady Star of the Sea Church on East Causeway Blvd.
Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6333.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 27° 47.684′ N, 97° 23.79′ W. Marker is in Corpus Christi, Texas, in Nueces County. Marker is on North Upper Broadway, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 505 N Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi TX 78401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Corpus Christi Cathedral (within shouting distance of this marker); Corpus Christi Cathedral Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Star Court of Honor (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Centennial House (about 400 feet away); Site of Kinney's Trading Post (about 500 feet away); Broadway Bluff Improvement (about 700 feet away); The Lone Star Fair (about 800 feet away); The Ranchero (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corpus Christi.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 19, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 2. submitted on August 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3. submitted on October 19, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.