Grimes Co., TX - St. Mary's Cemetery Entrance
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
John Lane <starmhz1@yahoo.com>
December 2, 2007, 1:48 am

Source: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery

Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/grimes/photos/tombstones/stmarys/cemetery4560nph.jpg

St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery is located 3 Miles North of 105 on 1774 near St.
Mary's Catholic Church in Plantersville TX.

I found an historical marker In front of the church that gives an brief history
of the church. It reads:
“St. Mary's Catholic Church

The first recorded visit of a catholic priest to Plantersville occurred in the
summer of 1860.  Infrequent worship services subsequently were held at the home
of James Kelly Markey until the first church building was completed in 1873.

Am influx of Polish and German-Russian immigrants in the last quarter of the
19th centaury led to such growth in the congregation that Bishop Nicholas
Gallagher of the Diocese of Galveston sent the Rev. Joseph Klein to serve as
resident pastor in 1894.   During Fr. Klein’s pastorate, Cordelia Baker  gave 10
acres of land to the diocese for the benefit of a German catholic church in
Plantersville.  A small building was completed and dedicated in 1894 under the
name Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary.

After Fr. Kline’s departure in 1907, the Rev. George Wilhelm became pastor, and
St. Mary’s divided into Polish and German congregations, with the polish
families founding St. Joseph’s Church in Stoneham.  The church building burned
to the ground  after being struck by lighting in 1917, and it was replaced the
same year, under the leadership of the Rev. George Apel, with this gothic
revival structure.  Stained glass windows reflects the German heritage of the
congregation, while the lancet windows, buttresses and crenellated bell tower
demonstrate the building’s gothic revival architectural influences.”

Additional Comments:
St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery is located 3 Miles North of 105 on 1774 near St.
Mary's Catholic Church in Plantersville TX.

I found an historical marker In front of the church that gives an brief history
of the church.  It reads:
“St. Mary's Catholic Church

The first recorded visit of a catholic priest to Plantersville occurred in the
summer of 1860. Infrequent worship services subsequently were held at the home
of James Kelly Markey until the first church building was completed in 1873.

Am influx of Polish and German-Russian immigrants in the last quarter of the
19th centaury led to such growth in the congregation that Bishop Nicholas
Gallagher of the Diocese of Galveston sent the Rev. Joseph Klein to serve as
resident pastor in 1894. During Fr. Klein’s pastorate, Cordelia Baker  gave 10
acres of land to the diocese for the benefit of a German catholic church in
Plantersville.  A small building was completed and dedicated in 1894 under the
name Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary.

After Fr. Kline’s departure in 1907, the Rev. George Wilhelm became pastor, and
St. Mary’s divided into Polish and German congregations, with the polish
families founding St. Joseph’s Church in Stoneham.  The church building burned
to the ground  after being struck by lighting in 1917, and it was replaced the
same year, under the leadership of the Rev. George Apel, with this gothic
revival structure. Stained glass windows reflects the German heritage of the
congregation, while the lancet windows, buttresses and crenellated bell tower
demonstrate the building’s gothic revival architectural influences.”

File at:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/grimes/photos/tombstones/stmarys/cemetery4560nph.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/txfiles/

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