Washington in Washington County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
African American Catholic Community
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 15, 2026
1. African American Catholic Community Marker
Believed to be the oldest African American Catholic community in Texas, this settlement traces its history to the late 1840s. The Spann families migrated to Hidalgo from South Carolina in 1848, bringing several slaves to the area.
A Catholic mission was established for the new settlers and the slave families worshipped with them at a log cabin called the Holy Rosary or the Old Spann Chapel. The Old Catholic Cemetery, located near the log cabin, was the Spann family cemetery. The Spanns and the Sweeds (the slave families) are buried there, and it is still in use today.
In 1888 Father Martin Francis Huhn organized a mission specifically for the African American community, conducting Mass monthly in the log chapel. A separate chapel was constructed in 1936 by Father George Elmendorf and named Sacred Heart. In 1969 a church building and community hall were constructed at Post Oak on land deeded from Spann descendants to the Sweeds. The church structure was named the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel. A new church building was completed in 1995 to serve the African American community in the Brenham area, descendants of the
this page online
Erected 1996 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8288.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 30° 19.47′ N, 96° 12.338′ W. Marker is in Washington, Texas, in Washington County. It is on Sweed Road ¾ mile east of Lone Star Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17320 Sweed Rd, Washington TX 77880, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Asa Brigham (approx. 2.2 miles away); John William Smith (approx.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 15, 2026
2. African American Catholic Community Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
