Pius X Mission Catholic Church
Research Done by Mary Wall
In the 1930’s, there were only three church-attending Catholic families in Sandia area. “We attended Mass in Orange Grove when weather conditions permitted us to travel on the dirt roads.”
By the 1950’s, many Hispanic Families had moved onto the Knolle Dairy farms located in the northeast corner of Jim Wells Country and the northwest
corner of Nueces Country.
1954 – 1962 = Father Englebert Bartosch
Geographically, the area which became the St. John of the Cross Parish in Orange Grove. However, the priest there, Father Hollomann, was elderly and could not undertake the task of providing a conveniently located church for these Hispanic families as well as others in the area. Therefore, the northeast portion of the St. John of the Cross Parish was added to the Mathis Parish of Sacred Heart, and Bishop Garriga asked the pastor, Father Englebert Bartosch, to see what he could do towards providing a small church. Father Bartosch scouted the area for land. Louis Gallagher gave the land at the intersection of FM 1540 and CR360; the Wright Brothers gave the “fill material” for the foundation; and two ladies, through the Extension Society, gave $3,500. The Total cost of the building was less than $12,000 which the parishioners paid off, in time, through cash donations and money-making events. Pius X Mission Church was dedicated on March 27, 1955. It was a simple building with bare, concrete floors, metal walls, and a roof. There were no interior walls or ceiling, no heat in the winter and only fans in the summer, but “we were very happy to have our own little church so conveniently located”. Father Gregory Deane assisted Father Bartosch in meeting the spiritual needs of the parish. During the school year, CCD classes were taught by the Victory Noll Sisters in a private home. The following summer, for three weeks, the Victory Noll Sisters held half-day CCD classes in Mathis. Mathis, San Patricio, and Sandia children attended. Father Bartosch drove or sent a vehicle to pick up children, and Mary Wall, also, tool her car full of children. By 1958, “The Hall” had been built. In it, CCD Classes were taught by the Victory Noll Sisters and lay teachers, on Saturday afternoons.
1962 – 1966 – Father Gregory Boensch
Father Boensch, with the assistance of Father Raymundo Pena and the Victory Noll Sisters, took over the care of the parish upon his arrival at Sacred Heart Parish in Mathis.
1966 – 1968 – Father William Bogart
Father Petru, along with the Victory Noll Sisters, assisted Father Bogart during these years.
1968 – 1978 – Father Celestine Murray
In June, 1968, the care of St. Pius X Mission was transferred to St. September, 1968, found Father Celestine Murray arriving in Orange Grove, and he remained until the fall of 1978. During this time, improvements were made at the mission church; including: air conditioning, new pews, and the stained-glass windows.
1978 – 1992 – Father Seamus McGowan
By the late 1980’s, mainly due to new subdivision, like Sandy hollow and Las Dos Palomas, being opened in the northwest corner of Nueces County, the surrounding area was more populated. The church was enlarged, and improvements were made in the CCD Hall. The portable “Youth Building” was put in, and the parking area was paved. This work was completed in 1991. Spring, 1992 – Fall, 1993 – Father Morgan Rowsome, assisted by Deacon Noel Breland
Fall, 1993 – 1997 – Father Brendan Ashe, assisted by Deacon Noel Breland
1997 – 1998 – Father Gregory Yorkey, assisted by Deacon Noel Breland
1998 – 1999 – Father Jack Purtell, assisted by Deacon Noel Breland
1999 – August, 2001 – Father Lowery Ross, assisted by Deacon Noel Breland
August, 2001 – June, 2002 – Father Gnana Jyoti
In July, 2001, St. Pius X Mission was started on the process of transferring administration of the church back to Sacred Heart Church in Mathis. Eventually, St. Patrick Church in San Patricio, and the Sandia parish would be working together. In August, Father Jyoti came from India to be the Priest in Charge. He remained until June, 2002. June, 2002 – September, 2009 – Father Francis Sebastian Kalathil
The end of June, 2002, Father Francis, from India, began saying Mass at St. Pius X Mission. He became the Priest in Charge on August 3, 2002. Under his leadership, and thanks to the work and generosity of past and present parishioners, visitors, and Bishop Carmody through the Bishop’s Guild, we now have a “nearly paid for” church. Lay teachers continue to teach our children CCD in the CCD buildings. Parish volunteers maintain the church and it’s beautiful grounds. Pius X celebrate its Golden Jubilee. In 2008, Church went under major paint job, Cross was installed on top of the church and Roof was painted. September, 2009 – 2013 - Father George
July, 2013 – 2015 – Father Raju & Father Chris
July 2015 – 2019 – Father Raju
August 2019 - Present - Peter Thanan
**A SINCERE THANK YOU TO MARY WALL FOR PROVIDING THE RESEARCH ON THE HISTORY OF ST. PIUS X MISSION CATHOLIC CHURCH. GOD BLESS YOU!**
