ANDERSON COUNTY - HISTORY - Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1872-1983, 
Palestine, Anderson County, TX

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Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

Submitted by Scott Fitzgerald – scottfitzgerald@tyler.net
East Texas Genealogical Society, President
29 December 2004

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Originally published in The Tracings, Volume 2, No. 1, Winter 1983 by the
Anderson County Genealogical Society, copyright assigned to the East Texas
Genealogical Society.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Palestine, Texas
1872 - 1983

Palestine, county seat of Andersen County, was a young and growing
agricultural center in 1872 when the International Great Northern Railroad
designated it a terminal. They laid tracks a little to the south and
somewhat west of the town square, built a depot on Spring Street and entered
a busy and thriving industry that was to become the mainstay of the town for
years.

The railroad employees who we’re Catholic attended the first Mass in the
railroad baggage room. It was said by Father Louis Granger, a missionary
priest from Nacogdoches.

Father Granger’s trip on horseback required a two day ride. He spent the
first night in Rusk and on the second day rode on to the old Mergenthal
place, six miles east of Palestine, spent the night there and on the morning
of the third day said Mass and traveled on to Huntsville to say Mass at the
prison. Mass was said in the Masonic Hall on the Rusk Road and at times in
the homes of the faithful.

Realizing the need for a permanent’ place of worship, the railroad, in 1873,
gave lots, nine and ten on the corner of Oak and Queen for a church
building. Construction was started immediately on a building to be thirteen
feet wide and sixty feet long. The lumber was largely donated by Rucker
Sawmill, with local businesses donating nails and other building supplies
needed to complete the structure. The building was finished and dedicated to
St. Joseph.

By 1874 Father Badelor was appointed first pastor and diligently served the
new parish until 1878 when Father Chaland succeeded him and served until
1889. At that, time Father C. M. Thion was named pastor.

In May of 1890 St. Joseph’s Church was destroyed by fire and all possessions
and records of the parish were lost. Ironically, the fire happened when the
State Firemen were meeting in convention in Palestine. Arson was strongly
suspected because the fire hoses were found slashed and an intensive
investigation ensued. It was dropped after no proof was established.

The sorrowing congregation and their pastor started at once to rebuild with
a fund of two thousand dollars from insurance and twelve hundred dollars,
proceeds from a bazaar held in the Fall.

Nicholas J. Clayton of Galveston, called by many “Texas’ First Architect”,
was selected to design the new church, with Palmer and Burkitt as the
building contractor and Joseph Frederick Wolff as brick mason.

A Gothic Revival structure with a spire and bell tower planned, the building
was made of 675,000 hand made bricks. The mud for the brick was hauled from
the Trinity River and was molded on the construction site.

After having built the bell tower, the steeple was never completed, because
it was feared that the added weight might be too much for the foundation to
bear. The corner stone for the new building was laid In 1892 with Father
Thion dedicating it to the patronage of “The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”.

After Father Bernard Lee became pastor in 1901, he had the plastered wall,
the pine cathedral ceiling, and the polished Oak Communion Rail and other
trim installed. The devotional Stations of the Cross were also installed at
this time.

The need for a residence for the priest was dire, and so by 1915 during the
pastorate of Father George Wilhelm, through contributions from parishioners
and proceeds from church dinners and bazaars, funds for a rectory were
acquired. It was not until 1920 while Father R. C. Frie was pastor that the
new brick rectory became a reality and paved walks and steps were added to
the property. By this time the church property was one to be proud of and
when Pastor J. J. Kearns came in 1928, a new Pelcher Pipe Organ was
installed at a cost of six thousand dollars.

From 1932 until the present time, many devout and dedicated priests have
served with diligence. Some of them were: Father J. T. Moriarity; Father J.
M. Cody as administrator; Father John Connally; Monsignor J. T. Fleming,
whose assistants were Father Vitek, Robert Gradel, and Sacco; Father E. J.
Brumleu; Father Leo Wlecyzk; Father Patrick Dougherty; and presently Father
Harold P. Paulsen.

Also, there were very dedicated church members who labored long and hard for
the welfare of the Palestine church. Some of the earliest ones were: Thomas
Cronin; William Branaghan; Martin Hinzie; John Mergenthal; Thomas and
Phillip Anglin; John Kohler; Thomas Richards; John Burg; Phillip Gunning;
John Meagher; and the Cossette Brothers.

The stained glass windows in the church are an invaluable asset. Imported
from Italy and Germany, whose artisans are noted for their works in church
art, the windows are memorials to the devotion of former members, some of
whom still have descendants worshipping at Sacred Heart.

The large round window on the left side of the nave of the church depicts
the Ascension of Christ and on a sunny afternoon, the rays light up and
clearly show the city of Jerusalem at his feet. Given by the J. E. Angly
Family, whose youngest daughter, Miss Marie Louise Angly, lives in a local
rest home and is a member of the parish.

Directly across, on the right side of the nave, is a depiction of the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Nary into Heaven. Some Palestinians call it
the Rose Window, due to the large amount of pink glass surrounding the
figure of the Blessed Mother, and as the morning sun shines through, a rosy
cast brightens the interior of the church. This window was given in honor of
Maggie Donahue Cronin by her children.

Two windows in the Sanctuary, the first one on the right and the first one
on the left, honor George and Mary Pessoney, whose grandchildren living in
the parish are: George Pessoney; Mrs. Marie Klein; Miss Theresa Pessoney;
Mrs. Catherine Williams, and her son Dr. Franklin Williams, Jr. All are
active members of Sacred Heart Parish.

The first window on the right, upon entering the church, showing Mary, Queen
of Heaven, Patroness of the United States, was donated by J. F. Burg and
Family. Descendants of that family are: Grandchildren, Edward Ryan; Miss
Katherine Ryan; great granddaughter, Mrs. Ellen Kimbrough; and great-great
grandchildren Chris and Ken Kimbrough.

Lending a vibrant note as the sun floods through is the memorial window
donated by the J. J. Murphy Family whose youngest Son J. J. and wife Wilma
worship at Sacred Heart.

One of the most beautiful windows is in the Sanctuary just above the main
altar, showing St. Margaret Mary Alacoque kneeling before the Sacred Heart
of Jesus. It is an appropriate and fitting dedication to Dan Meagher,
another early member of the church.

There are many more windows in the church that are beautiful and inspiring,
that add solemnity to the interior of this revered structure.

In 1932 at a cost of Forty-Seven Hundred Dollars, the main altar, made of
Italian marble, replacing highly ornate wooden altars, was contributed by
Mrs. Georgiana Van Donner in honor of her two sons, Victor and Louis Miller.
Louis’ son, bearing the same name, and his wife, Evelyn belong to the
present congregation.

Mr. Clarence Jander, raised in the parish since early childhood and his
wife, Jewell, who was an early boarder of St. Mary’s Academy, have
generously donated the two marble side altars, the picture of Leonardo
daVince’s “Last Supper”, as well as substantial funds for the support of the
church.

In 1970 the State of Texas Historical Society placed it’s Medallion at the
church, and in 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic
Places.

A description of Sacred Heart Church would surely be incomplete if we
neglected to point, out the beautiful and inspiring painting of the
“Transfiguration of Our Lord” in the dome of the Sanctuary.

The building is unique In that it is one of seven edifices left in the
state, designed by the distinguished architect who had the foresight in 1862
to plan a church, that in January 1983 meets it’s full potential. Seating
509 persons comfortably, it is serving it’s thriving and growing
congregation who looks with pride and affection on the old and venerable
landmark.

Serving one of Palestine’s oldest congregations, it stands a suitable
monument and a fitting place of worship for the honor and glory of God.

submitted by Mrs. Loretta Torma