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

St. Mary's Cemetery

Photographed By James Hulse, March 5, 2023

1. St. Mary's Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Early Catholic settlers in northern McClennan County worshipped at St. Martin's Church in Tours, five miles southeast of present West. After more immigrant Catholic families of Czech, Moravian, Slovak, and German origin moved to the area in the late 19th century, a new parish was established in West. St. Mary's Church of the Assumption was built in 1892, and in 1893 Joseph and Maria Hromadka sold land at this site to the Catholic Diocese for development as a cemetery.

The oldest documented graves in the cemetery are those of Vaclav Masek (1838-1892) and Mary Cocek (1875-1893). Among the more than 2,700 persons buried here are pioneer settlers, immigrants, military veterans, members of several generations of some families, and priests who have served St. Mary's Parish. The Rev. Monsignor Joseph Pelnar (1865-1940), who led the parish for forty years, is buried beneath the large stone cross in the western section of the graveyard. Many of the graves are marked with distinctive marble tombstones or metal ornamentation; a large number of inscriptions and epitaphs are in the Czech language. The cemetery serves as a visible image of the area's rich cultural history.

Erected 1996 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4469.)

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lists: Churches & Religion • Immigration. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 31° 46.495′ N, 97° 5.277′ W. Marker is near West, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker is on Cemetery Road, 0.2 miles north of Mellgren Road, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located along the road near the entrance to the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 Cemetery Road, West TX 76691, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Former Site of St. Peter's Church (approx. half a mile away); Groppe Barn (approx. 1.3 miles away); Church of the Assumption (approx. 1.9 miles away); Groppe Building (approx. 1.9 miles away); St. Mary's School (approx. 1.9 miles away); West (approx. 1.9 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of West (approx. 1.9 miles away); Best Theatre Building (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West.

The view of the St. Mary's Cemetery and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, March 5, 2023

2. The view of the St. Mary's Cemetery and Marker from the street

One of the entrances to St. Mary's Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, March 5, 2023

3. One of the entrances to St. Mary's Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on March 8, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.