Saint Michael's Catholic Church

The Rt. Rev. Anthony Dominic Pellicer, First Bishop of San Antonio, established St. Michael's Parish in 1875, after the Cuero Land and Immigration Co. donated this site for a church. The name was chosen in memory of Michael O'Brien, whose widow was one of the first members. A small frame church was erected in 1876, and the Rev. V. L. Manci, S.J., became the first resident pastor. St. Michael's Parish has operated a Catholic school since 1877. Construction was started on a larger building in 1886, a few months before the first church was damaged by the hurricane that destroyed the coastal town of Indianola. Many of the families who fled Indianola became members of St. Michael's Parish before the brick edifice was completed in 1892. As the parish grew, a new rectory was built in 1894 and new school in 1912. The present church was erected in 1931, through efforts of the Rev. Francis Pallanche, Pastor 1922-32. Soon afterward, the Rev. William Jansen began the longest pastorate in this church's history, 1937-66. Recent expansion has included a new school and convent (1955), rectory (1963), remodeling of school and church building (1960's), and new parish hall (1973). Today St. Michael's has a membership of over 400 families.

Saint Michael's Catholic Church is a historical marker in Cuero, DeWitt County, dedicated in 1975. It is one of 90 historical markers documented in DeWitt County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 166 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.0917, -97.2878 near Cuero. The nearest cataloged historic site is Burns, John W., House (historic place), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include First Methodist Church, DeWitt County Courthouse, and Honoring Texas Confederate General August C. Buchel.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5123005066. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.