Texas Churches
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Father Peter Lauth
Father Peter Lauth, priest at the time of the completion of the cathedral in 1884.
The parish administration was given over to the Holy Cross Fathers and the Rev. Daniel Spillard took charge on May 4, 1874. During his pastorate ¾ of the walls for the new church were completed. Father Spillard remained pastor of Saint Mary for 8 years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Peter Lauth. Under Father Lauth’s pastorate the new church was completed and dedicated on April 20, 1884.
Bishop John Timon
Father Timon was ordained deacon, and then priest, in 1825. He served as a Vincentian missionary up and down the Mississippi River and in Texas. In 1835, Timon's was appointed "Visitor" (Superior) of the Vincentian community in America. In 1839, he was named coadjutor bishop of St. Louis but declined the appointment. On July 18, 1840 he was named Prefect Apostolic of the Republic of Texas. He accompanied Odin to Austin in 1840 to successfully lobby the Congress of the Republic of Texas to return Catholic lands to the church.
He would serve the next 20 years of his life as bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo (NY).
Saint Mary Cathedral
Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus
Mary wears a crown of medallions given by students of St. Mary Academy on their graduation.
Saint Mary Cathedral
Inscription on the front of Saint Mary Cathedral. The "SC" is for "Sancta Cruce," from the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Holy Cross order, founded in 1837 in Le Mans, France, managed the church in its early years. The Maltese-style cross is characteristic of the Holy Cross order. Notice the fleur de lis in the upper left and the shamrock on the upper right.
Bishop's Cathedra
