SAN LUIS JAMAICA T-SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE TO SALE IN THE OFFICE! PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE SAN LUIS MISSION!

To the Church: When entering Yorktown on Highway 72 West, turn left on Nau Street. Turn left on Second Street and Church will be on the right.

Cemetery Location: The Cemetery is located on Highway 72 East (towards Cuero). Turn onto Community Hall Road (right) and Cemetery is the one closest to the Highway. 

Directions to Cemetery: Located on Hwy 72 East in Yorktown, on the right just past the caution light leaving town. Click on the cemetery photograph on our home page for the link to the Victoria Diocese on-line data base for map, or contact Holy Cross Catholic Church for more information at 361-564-2893. San Luis Cemetery photos can be viewed in the photo gallery.

To request records for sacraments received at San Luis, please send your request in writing to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1214 Zorn Road, Yorktown, Texas 78164 or call the Rectory at 361-564-2893.

Directions to the Church: entering Yorktown on Highway 72 West, turn left on Nau Street. Turn left on Second Street and Church will be on the right.

Ven y Sígueme: Primer curso al discípulado
Sesión 3: Jesús y Su Comunidad: Ayer y Hoy 
Presentador: Padre Philip Brune, Gloria Gonzalez, David Saenz, y Frank Aguilar
Donde: St. Robert Catholic Church, 512 Tegner St., El Campo, TX 77437
Cuando: 13 de abril 2019, 10:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m.

Estas clases se llevan a cabo sin costo alguno para usted. Vengan y pasen un día explorando su fe.
Se dará la comida de mediodía. Guardería de niños está disponible.

Para más información contactar a:
Diocese of Victora/Sister Rosario: (361) 573-0828 ext. 2216; Sister Miriam Perez, MCSH: (361) 676-9302; Mauricio Santiago: (979) 616-0421; Heriberto Castillo: (361) 208-5014

Services:  8:00 AM Sunday Mass

                   Confessions available before Mass by request. 

As published in 1977 for the 50th Anniversary | Golden Jubilee of San Luis Catholic Church
Committee members for this history book were Teresa Vargas, Louise Hernandez, Father Henry Moczygemba,
Helen Garza, Susana Villarreal, Lola Amador, Thomasita Amador, Juanita Vargas and Sylvia Mungia.
 

Mission San Luis was founded in 1927 by Father Diego, a missionary of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. San Luis Church was a mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cuero then became a Mission of Holy Cross on April 15, 1959

On November 9, 1924 a Mission was held at Holy Cross Church in Yorktown for the Mexican-American people to discuss the need for a church for this group. The Mission was held through November 9-16, 1924 and was given by Father Diego, a Missionary of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At this mission, Father Diego spoke to the Mexican-American people of the necessity for a church for them. There were several reasons for building a church, but the main reason was that many people did not understand the English language.
 

After the needs were discussed, it was decided that a church building for the Mexican-American people would be built. A committee was then appointed by Father Diego and Father P. Grzesiak, who was the pastor at Holy Cross Church.

Members of the committee were; Gregorio Vargas, Alejos Ramos, Agapito Canales, Pedro Solis, Cornelio Cantu, Dionicio Trevino and Teadora Munoz.

The members of this committee started working on the plans for building the church. Father Grzesiak, Gregorio Vargas, and Dionicio Trevino were the ones who began looking for the lot on which to build. With the help of Father Grzesiak and Rev. A Drossaerts, DD., Bishop of San Antonio, plans progressed. The tract of land was bought from Mrs. Mary Lutenbacher of Yorktown. The sum of $700.00 was paid for the lot.

With the help of Father Grzesiak and several persons, money for the lot was collected. Following the purchase several men came together to clean the church lot as a dense forest stood there and it took much hard work to get it cleared. At the time that the church was to be built, the work was much harder because of the lack of tools. All the clearing of the land had to be done by hand.

Then the members of the committee began looking for a source to buy the sand and gravel for the foundation of the church. Mrs. Mary Ruthe, who lived about 3 miles from Yorktown towards the community of Meyersville, donated the sand for the church. A colored person, whose name we do not remember but who lied towards Cuero, sold the gravel for the church foundation. The gravel cost 15¢ a wagon load and 25¢ a truck load. Many men helped to bring the gravel and sand for the church. Some would load the wagons and bring them into town and others would wait to unload the wagons full of gravel and sand at the church site. The wagons would make only one trip per day because they would come about 15-20 miles. Since most of the people lived in the country they traveled about 15 to 20 miles just to get to town and back. Most of the people lived in the country since there they could plant a crop, and as a result, few people lived in town.

Father Grzesiak continued collecting money for the new church. Besides the funds Father collected, the people donated whatever they could. It took much sacrifice from the people to donate because in those days jobs were very scarce and wages were very low.

In the years 1925-1926 the Mexican-American people worked very hard in building the church. The main carpenters were Mr. Valentin Villarreal and Mr. Jesus Guajardo. Several men worked with Mr. Villarreal and Mr. Guajardo as their helper in the carpentry work of the church. Finally in the fall of the year 1927 the church was finished. A very big feast was held to celebrate the event.

In 1928 the church was blessed by Father Antonio Alonso, who was given the authority to bless the church by the bishop. Again a big feast was held and a big procession. Later several organizations were formed, namely Our Lady of Guadalupe Society, Catholic Daughters of Mary Society, Holy Rosary Organization, San Jose Society and Holy Name Society. The meetings were held in an old shed that was behind the church.

Coloquios were organized and presented by Mr. Simon Aguilar and Jocobo Rodriguez. Coloquios and Pastorelas were held as a means of collecting money for the church. Also to help in collecting money several girls would get together and make flowers and sold them. Pilar Vasquez sold statues of saints and prayer cards and rosaries to raise money for the church also. Several years after church was finished the Jamaica’s (feasts) were started. The Jamaica’s continued to be held every year after that as a money making project for the church. Also, for the last several years some bingos have been held as a money making project for the support of the church.

The first baby to be baptized here at San Luis Church was Casimiro Castillo, born February 12, 1927, son of Lino Castillo and Fermina Rosales. The God parents were Casimiro Garza and Juana Banulos.
The first marriage was between Serapio Salinas and Maria Garza. The groom’s parents were Guadalupe Salinas and Felicita Ochoa and the brides’ parents were Pedro Garza and Gregoria Alvarado. The witnesses were Adolfo Gonzales and Estonislada Gonzales.

The baptisms and marriages were both performed by Father Antonio Alonso, who was delegated by Most Rev. Arthur J. Drossaerts. Father Jan Zabala served here at San Luis after Father Alonzo.
In the year 1947, the Carmelite Sisters came. The Carmelite Sisters were originally from Mexico of the St. Theresa Order. The Sisters from Cuero taught catechism, said rosaries in the homes, and often just came to visit families. Also, the Sisters gave religious instructions to the older people. These instructions were held once a week.

San Luis Church was in the care of the Dominican Fathers from 1927 to 1932. In the year 1933, Father Henry Dicks was the priest that supervised the construction of the hall. A few years later, the hall was sold and moved off the church grounds.
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San Luis Church was a mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cuero, but beginning with April 15, 1959, it became a mission of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Yorktown.

In the year 1930, the tract of land was acquired for the cemetery. Mr. Francisco Martinez supervised over the purchase. He collected money from the people to pay for the land that is now San Luis Catholic Cemetery.

This is a very brief history of our church. We are very sorry that it had to be so brief, but due to the lack of time, it could not be done any other way. We especially regret having to delete many of the details on some v meaningful events. The main history of the church was written by Mrs. Louise Trevino Hernandez. The pictures and articles were compiled within a period of six to eight weeks, but we are grateful for the great response from those who took time out to locate pictures and articles for the history

San Luis Former Pastors


 Father Angel Alvarez
served the parish in 1929.

Father Diego
Father Antonio Alonzo
Father Joe
Father August Otto
Father Macario
Father Juan Zabala
Father Henry Dicks
Father Carlos O’Neal
Father Hepp
Father Murray
Father Hamala
Father Kaiser
Father August Otto
 
Most Reverend Hugo M. Gerbermann, M.M. Officiated at the 50^th Jubilee. Bishop Gerbermann was ordained to the Priesthood on February 7, 1943. After ordination at Maryknoll, New York, he was sent to Ecuador in March of 1943 by Pope Pius XXII.
 
Organists
Mrs. Cecelia Guzy, 1933, Terri Bolt, 1972; Diana Dworzczk, 1975; Eva Stepanski, 1976; Jo Ann Jaeger and Lucy Matejek. 

Choir Members
Teresa and Nieves Rodriguez sang in the first church choir in 1927. Santos and Gregoria Rodriguez were members of the first church choir in 1927. Mrs. Angelita Lechuga and son, Rudy. Mrs. Lechuga was Miss Angelita Salinas, one of the choir members of the second church choir. Other members of the second church choir: Dora Garza, Lile Garza, Lydia Lerna Garza and Cuca Garza. Reynold Henry Arizpe served as an altar boy and was the organist and choir leader in 1949.
 
Altar Boys 1965-1975
Domingo Naranjo, president, Freddy Amador, vice-president, Henry Amador (president 1976-1977), Ruben Serrano, Bryan Martinez, Ray Garcia, Jerry Naranjo, Danny Amador, Ruben Garcia, Danny Muniz. Raul Muniz, Rene Hernandez, Carlos Salinas, Tony Salinas, Severo, Naranjo, Oscar Martinez, Isabel Salas, Ruben Salas, Johnny Salas, Leroy Gomez, Mario Muniz, Bruno Muniz, Richard Cantu, Noe Cantu, Gilbert Garza, Dickie Garza, David Amador, Gino Garza, Franklin Naranjo.
 
Our Lady of Guadalupe Society
Mrs. Helen Garza, Father John Matocha, Mr. Emiterio Muniz and Father Henry Moczygemba are pictured left to right during the presentation of the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe to San Luis Church. Mr. and Mrs. Emiterio Muniz presented the statue to the parish
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Past Presidents of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Society
Felicitia DeLeon                Nicolasa De Los Santos                  Catarina Mormoleto
Petra Ruiz                         Olivia Cisneros                                Cecelia Abrigo
Margaret Salinas               Adelfa Santos                                 Lydia Champion
Helen Garza                     Julia Delgado                                   Charlene Cisneros
Rose Fonseca                   Louise Hernandez                           Lola Amador
 
Mrs. Gilbert Garza was awarded a certificate by Archbishop Francis J. Furey in recognition of exceptional service to the Catholic Church and to the community, and for exemplifying good Christian conduct in personal life. The date was December 15, 1974.
 
Memories of the C.Y.O.
The Catholic Youth Organization was founded in 1950 as an organization of young teenagers who work together to bring spiritual help to the church and its people. Along with helping others, the group also discusses its own problems as well as sharing good times. The club participates in various church affairs such as the church council and the church choir. Those who served as members of the church council were Rene Hernandez, Sylvia Mungia, Mary Garcia and James Delgado, Jr.

On Mother’s Day the members expressed their special love for their mother’s by giving them corsages during the Mother’s Day Mass. The two parish pastors were honored with appreciation gifts from the CYO. Father Bartsch was given a badly needed green cape (Alb). Father Henry was honored with a barbecue for all his hard work and help and made an honorary member of the group. As a gift, he received a pen set engraved, “Memories of the CYO”

In other areas of the church the CYO shared the Epistles, carried the gifts to the altar, and did ushering for the church. The groups also attended Masses and revivals and participated in various parades. Sports also is an interest to the CYO. The club participated in such athletic programs as basketball and volleyball. In baseball a team was formed and it played other teams from other churches and towns.
CYO Officers for 1977: President, Rene Hernandez; Vice President, Rene Gonzales; Secretary, Sylvia Mungia; Treasurer, Mary Garcia; Historian, Ester V. Puentes. The sponsors of the organization included Mr. and Mrs. Ismael Perez, Mr. and Mrs. David Perez.

The club would like to thank everyone who has been sponsors, especially Mr. and Mrs. Ismael Perez, who have spent a lot of their time with the club. Thank you very much.
 
The following is Newspaper article reprint
 
((PHOTO CAPTION))
The officers and chairmen of Yorktown’s San Luis Parish Youth Club are pictured with the Rev. August Otto, organizer and spiritual moderator of the group. On Father Otto’s right (l-r) are Pauline Obrego, religious chairman, Blanche Garza, publicity chairman, Hope Gallegos, treasurer, Brigido Marmalejo, Jr., president; Father Otto, Tony Gomez, vice-president; Irene Alerego, secretary; and Lydia Garza, social chairman. Others not identified are the cleaning and decorating chairman, John Salas; and the cultural chairman, Edelia Pena, who was chairman of the March of dimes collection which raised $47 from the 50 member group.
 
SAN LUIS YOUTH CLUB IN YORKTOWN GROWS TO 50 MEMBERS AFTER 3 MONTHS
YORKTOWN – San Luis parish youth here now boasts a 50-member youth club which was organized just three months ago with only 20 members. During January, the group raised $47 for the March of Dimes. A volleyball team for CYO League competition in the making. Meeting each Wednesday, the group devotes the first hour of the meeting to religious instruction and discussion. Social hour and athletics end the meeting. The club was organized by the Rev. August Otto, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Cuero. San Luis is (was) a mission of the Cuero Parish.
 
Mission San Luis Parish Queens
1949, Minnie Salinas                                       1961 Linda Canales
1950 Pauline Abrigo                                        1962 Rosie Canales
1951 Lydia Charles                                         1964 Lupe Ortiz
1952 Marie Cisneros                                       1965 Gloria Moreno
1953 Adela Pena                                             1966 Nifa Vargas
1954 Christine Moreno                                    1967 Alice Ortiz
1955                                                                1971 Rosemary Fonseca
1956 Odelia Cavazos                                      1972 Velma Pena
1957 Hope Moreno                                         1973 Diana Garcia
1958 Lupe Rodriguez                                      1974 Peggy Ann Villarreal
1959 Candy Cavazos                                       1975 Penny Ann Villarreal
1960 Henriqueta Moreno
 
Patrons of San Luis Church in 1977
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gutierrez, Sue, Yvonne
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Jaramillo
Mrs. Rafaela A. Garza
Mr. and Mrs. Jose Vasquez, Dolores
 
 
 
Early Church Parishioners
 
Roque Banda 
Antonio Sepeda 
Nicolas Martinez
Simon Perez
Nicolas de Hoyas  
Juan Reyes
Alijos Ramos
Esteban Lechuga
Federico Martinez 
Carlos Rivera
Yesus Martinez  
Justo Trevino
Polito Trevino
Juan Banda
Clofas Rodrigues
Aurelio Riviera
Gregorio Vargas
Francisco Martinez
Feliciano Reyes
Jose Estrada
Casimiro Garza
Ginio Estrada
Francisco DeLeon
Nasario Garza
And many, many more….