Marker Inscription
The first of many Czech immigrants to settle this area purchased from Galveston developer E.H. Fordtran in 1891. Four Czech families founded St. Mary's Catholic Church in 1892. The first recorded burial here, on land donated by Frank Divin, Sr., was that of Antone Blinka in 1893. The Rev. A. Laska established the site as a Catholic cemetery and in 1895 the church built a sanctuary on four adjoining acres. The community faltered after the devastating storm of 1900. The church closed in 1947. St. Martin de Parres Church in Prairie View took over the cemetery's care in 1977.
About this site
St. Mary's Catholic Church and Cemetery is a historical marker in Waller County, Texas, dedicated in 1994. It is one of 52 historical markers documented in Waller County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 135 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 30.0327, -95.9446. The nearest cataloged historic site is St. Martin de Porres Catholic (cemetery), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Haley Road, Unknown Name, First United Methodist Church of Waller, and Waller.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5473008111. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
