History

SAINT JAMES CHURCH HISTORY

St. James Catholic Church has been a fixture in Seguin for over 130 years. Our elementary school is the oldest facility still being utilized as a school in the state of Texas and was recently given an exemplary rating during its accreditation process. It serves 200 students in the 3K through 8th grades.

The St. James Parish has over 905 registered families and is part of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Along with the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. James serves the Catholic population in the Guadalupe County area.

Chronological Listing of Events


1850 –	Original building of current school constructed

1869 –	First recorded baptism of the parish

1871 –	First recorded marriage for the parish

1873 –	First church built

1874 –	First recorded funeral (John Erskine) of the parish

1876 –	Jesuit priests from Mexico served St. James parish

1878 –	Sisters of Charity opened Catholic girls school where current Hall is located

1884 –	The Sisters purchased original building built in 1850

1886 –	First rectory built

1901 –	New rectory built which houses current church office

1908 –	Our Lady of Guadalupe church built

1914 –	Current red brick church was constructed

1929 –	St. James parish purchased school from Sisters of Charity

1950 –	Two new classrooms added to school

1954 –	Parish Hall constructed

1955 –	Stained glass windows, new steeple & pews installed in church

1968 –	Six new classrooms added to school Name changed from St. Joseph School to St. James School

1973 –	Centennial celebration of the first church

1975 –	Mausoleum constructed at St. James cemetery

1980 –	St. James sponsors arrival of 2 Vietnamese families

1981 –	Renovation of Hall kitchen Brother Gene Traversa appointed 1 principal of school First D.R.E. hired

1988 –	Rectory converted from pastor’s residence to church offices Church receives new paint, carpet, and pews

1989 –	Engbrock home purchased to become current pastor’s residence

1991 –	Perpetual Adoration program initially instituted

2003 –	Parish Family Center multi-purpose building constructed

2004 –	Church received new roof & copper steeple Adoration Chapel remodeled and Perpetual Adoration program re-instituted

2006 –	Parish Hall new roof

2008 –	Parish Hall renovation

2009 –	Memorial Garden New carpet in Church CDA new building

August 17, 2009