Panna Maria in Karnes County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Father Leopold Moczygemba
1824-1891
| | Patriarch of American Polonia | |
Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, November 7, 2025
1. Father Leopold Moczygemba Marker
Erected 1976.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1856.
Location. 28° 57.43′ N, 97° 53.896′ W. Marker is in Panna Maria, Texas, in Karnes County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 81 and County Road 380, on the left when traveling west on Road 81. The marker is located at the front entrance to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13879 N FM 81 Rd, Karnes City TX 78118, 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: Immaculate Conception Church (a few steps from this marker); Town of Panna Maria (a few steps from this marker); Panna Maria, Texas (within shouting distance of this marker); Pilarczyk Store
this page online
Also see . . . Leopold Moczygemba: Founder of Polish Settlements in Texas. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
Leopold Moczygemba, priest, was born in Pluznica, Upper Silesia, on October 18, 1824, the son of Leopold and Ewa (Krawietz) Moczygemba. He is best known in Texas as the founder of the oldest permanent Polish settlements in the United States, Panna Maria and Bandera, Texas, but he is equally well known outside the state as an ethnic and Catholic leader in the northern states from the 1860s to the 1880s. He spent his childhood in his birthplace and in the nearby village of Ligota Toszecka and attended first the local Catholic schools and then schools in the towns of Opole and Gliwice. In 1843 Moczygemba decided to become a priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. He spent the next four years in northern(Submitted on December 11, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)Italy and was ordained in 1847. The next year he was moved by his superiors to Bavaria, where he spent the next five years mainly in study. In 1852 Bishop Jean Marie Odin of Galveston, a native Frenchman, returned to Europe seeking funds and missionaries to work in his sprawling diocese, which encompassed all of Texas. He recruited five Franciscan Minor Conventual priests and one lay brother to serve the German immigrant communities in Texas. Moczygemba was one of this religious party, which landed in Galveston on September 1, 1852. He quickly assumed his new post as the first permanent Catholic pastor serving New Braunfels, where he remained until moving to Castroville in early 1854.© Mansfield Photography, used with permission, November 7, 20252. Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic ChurchThe marker and statue are located at the left side of the entrance to the church.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
