Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Former Site of Convent of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament
Photographed by Dave W, March 14, 2026
1. Former Site of Convent of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Marker
This block was once surrounded by a ten-foot wall enclosing a beautiful structure housing America's first colony of Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, a cloistered teaching order. The convent had a history of vicissitudes and heroism.
Arriving in the frontier village of Brownsville in 1853 from their mother house in Lyons, France, the nuns moved into an unfurnished former warehouse to begin their school while their first convent was being built. For their bilingual (Spanish-English) pupils, they were compelled to translate from French and print textbooks on a small hand press. Indian raids, yellow fever epidemics, storms, and the Civil War (1861-65) did not deter the Sisters, who taught without interruption until 1867, when the original convent was destroyed by a hurricane. On petition of patrons, the Sisters agreed to reopen their school. On this site was built, at cost of $20,000 in Specie, a New Orleans French-style convent of distinctive architecture. The Sisters occupied it on Dec. 25, 1868.
For many generations it served as a boarding and day school for girls, until in 1967 the Sisters moved to Villa Maria, a modern educational center.
Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1044.)
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 25° 54.16′ N, 97° 30.185′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. It can be reached from the intersection of East Saint Francis Street and E 7th St, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 714 E St Francis St, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas. It is also 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, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hanson House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brooks House (about 400 feet away); S.W. Brooks Residence (about 400 feet away); Russell-Cocke House (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Russell/Cocke House (about 500 feet away); Alonso Building (about 500 feet away); Alonso Complex (about 600 feet away); Original Site of St. Joseph College (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.
Photographed by Dave W, March 14, 2026
2. Former Site of Convent of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 15, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
