Magnolia Park in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Photographed by James Hulse, November 7, 2023

1. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. In October 1911, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate established their Roman Catholic Society's first parish in Harris County and named it Immaculate Conception. The site chosen was on Harrisburg Boulevard in the incorporated community of Magnolia Park, which was annexed by the City of Houston in 1926. For the parish's first anniversary on October 6, 1912, a three building campus comprising a wood-frame church, rectory, and school and boarding house was dedicated. The school and boarding house were administered by the Sisters of Divine Providence. A consolidated school and auditorium brick building dedicated in September 1936 replaced these facilities, with the school auditorium serving as the church. The 1912 church building was relocated two miles away and converted into a brick building to serve another parish, Queen of Peace, which was originally a mission church of Immaculate Conception. In March 1957, a Neo-Romanesque style church was dedicated to complement the style of the 1936 school and auditorium. The boarding house ceased operating and in 1969 the school closed permanently.

Adhering to their motto as Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the priests of Immaculate Conception ministered to the needy and conducted extensive missionary work in southeast and central Texas. For decades, the priests were assigned the ministry for the state penitentiary system in Huntsville. Immaculate Conception was the mother church of the first predominantly Hispanic Catholic Church in Houston, named Our Lady of Guadalupe. At least nine parishes in Harris and surrounding counties can trace their histories to the missionary efforts of Immaculate Conception. Entering its second century of existence Immaculate Conception continues to be an influential institution in the Magnolia Park community and beyond. 175 Years of Texas Independence 1836-2011

Erected 2011

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by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16746.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1957.

Location. 29° 44.024′ N, 95° 17.796′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Magnolia Park. It is at the intersection of Harrisburg Boulevard and Forest Hill Blvd, on the right when traveling east on Harrisburg Boulevard. The marker is located along the north side of the church near Harrisburg Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7250 Harrisburg Blvd, Houston TX 77011, 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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as

The north view of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, November 7, 2023

2. The north view of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Marker from the street

the crow flies: Magnolia Park City Hall and Central Fire Station (approx. ¼ mile away); Lorenzo de Zavala (approx. half a mile away); Magnolia Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hidalgo Park Quiosco (approx. 0.9 miles away); WasteShark (approx. one mile away); Houston's Deep-Water Port (approx. one mile away); Thomas H. Ball, Jr. (approx. 1.1 miles away); "Constitution" Bend (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

The view of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church from the church parking lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, November 7, 2023

3. The view of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church from the church parking lot

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,210 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 10, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.