George West in Live Oak County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

St. George Catholic Church

Photographed by James Hulse, April 16, 2023

1. St. George Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. Early Catholic activities in Live Oak County included services at Gussettville dating to 1869, and the formal establishment of St. Joseph's Church in 1878. St. Joseph's was initially a mission of San Patricio and membership reflected diverse national origins, including Irish, Polish, Moravian and Mexican immigrants and heritage. Father Harold Purcell came to George West in 1915 to pastor a mission, and city namesake George Washington West deeded land to the most Reverend Paul J. Nussbaum, Bishop of Corpus Christi, for a Catholic church. A hurricane in August 1916 destroyed the unfinished walls of the church, requiring a rebuild of the two-story mission revival style building from the foundation. The congregation took its name of St. George both for the 4th century martyr and to recognize George W. West for his generous contribution.

Religious instruction for parish children began upon completion of the building in 1918. Thelma Lindholm (1898-1992) was one of the first teachers and served as church historian, chronicling the history of St. George's priesthoods and missions. In the 1920s, St. Joseph's at Gussettville and Sacred Heart at Three Rivers were designated missions of St. George. Reverend William H. Oberste was instrumental in suggesting the need for a parish cemetery. The Chlebek family donated land for St. George cemetery, and Bernard Katzfey (1879-1932) was the first burial there. In 1950 a new church building was dedicated at Christmas Mass. The old building became a parish hall. Destroyed in 1970 by Hurricane Celia, it was replaced in 1979. St. George Catholic Church continues its fellowship, faith, service and support for more than a century in Live Oak County.

Erected 2018 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20003.)

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list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1916.

Location. 28° 20.12′ N, 98° 6.934′ W. Marker is in George West, Texas, in Live Oak County. It is at the intersection of Crockett Street and San Marcos Street, on the right when traveling west on Crockett Street. The marker is located on the west side of the church grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 Crockett Street, George West TX 78022, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

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: Thelma Laura Pugh-Lindholm (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of George West (about 500 feet away); Birthplace of J. Frank Dobie (about 500 feet away); A Legendary Longhorn (about 500 feet away);

Photographed by James Hulse, April 16, 2023

2. St. George Catholic Church Marker

Live Oak County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); Driven to Succeed (about 500 feet away); Don Victoriano Chapa - Don Prisciliano Chapa (about 500 feet away); Texas Tough (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in George West.

The view of the St. George Catholic Church Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 16, 2023

3. The view of the St. George Catholic Church Marker from the street

The St. George Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 16, 2023

4. The St. George Catholic Church

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 19, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.