[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 106 (Thursday, July 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE CENTENNIAL OF ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH, ELMENDORF, TX

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK TEJEDA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 1996

  Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a special anniversary 
for a south Texas parish in the district I represent. St. Anthony's 
Church, situated in the small town of Elmendorf, TX, this month is 
celebrating the centennial of their first church building. I ask that 
you join me in expressing pride and joy in this accomplishment.
  The parish of St. Anthony's in Elmendorf dates back at least to 1872. 
At that time, under the pastoral guidance of Father C. Jaillets, Masses 
and services were celebrated in area homes. The pastor of a neighboring 
community, Father Emilio Chapolard, led the effort to build the church 
in Elmendorf in 1896. Responsible for a large area south of San 
Antonio, Father Chapolard served 40 years in Graytown.
  During the past 100 years, St. Anthony's has been home to three 
churches. The second building was constructed under the direction of 
Father Matthias J. Justen from 1917 to 1922. Some 50 years later, the 
third church was built during 1973 and 1974 under the guidance of 
Father Severiano Fernandez and was blessed by Bishop Patrick Flores, 
who now serves the entire region as archbishop. Today, the church hosts 
a new rectory, parish hall, a ccd center, and a religious education 
center.
  The church has been under the spiritual guidance of priests of many 
backgrounds. During the early years of this century, the Claretian 
Fathers from San Antonio were charged with the responsibility of the 
parish. Thereafter, the Mexican Josephite Brothers took over for a 
number of years until the 1921 arrival of Father Justen, the first 
Redemptorist to be in charge of the parish. The Redemptorists served at 
St. Anthony's for more than 40 years, until 1962. At that time, the 
archbishop invited the Augustinian Fathers to take charge of the 
parish. The church enjoyed their guidance until 1993, when the present 
priest, Father William McNamara arrived.
  An archdiocesan priest from Ireland, Father McNamara has given 
greatly to the church and the community. Under his guidance, St. 
Anthony's is celebrating a Mass of thanksgiving and a parish Mass to 
mark the centennial of the first church. We appreciate his efforts, and 
those of the entire parish, to build not only church buildings, but a 
church community. The foundation stones set in place 100 years ago have 
endured the test of time, and in that place we now find a vibrant and 
committed parish looking forward to the next century for St. Anthony's.

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