FIRST - African American Catholic Church in Texas - First of its Kind on Waymarking.com

Bishop Nicholas A. Gallager started the first African American Catholic School in Texas in 1886. However, the church was not organized until December of 1889 when Father Phillip Keller, a native of Germany, was appointed the first resident pastor of Holy Rosary Parish. The original site for the church and other parish buildings was 25th and Avenue L. In 1914 they were all moved to the present location on Avenue N between 30th and 31st Street. The school was closed in 1979 after 81 years of service.

After the destruction caused by Hurricane Ike in 2008, the Catholic Archdiocese consolidated Holy Rosary Church with the four other Catholic Churches on Galveston Island on August 14, 2009 under the new parish name of Holy Family Parish.

Holy Rosary Church, one of the first African-American Catholic parishes in Texas, had its beginnings in a school. In 1886, Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher opened an elementary school for African American children in a one-room cottage on 12th Street and Avenue K. The Dominican sisters were the first to staff the school. It grew so rapidly that a new and larger school opened just two years later. The Bishop celebrated mass at the school on Sundays, and the small congregation became the nucleus of a new Parish.

As the church and school grew, Fr. Phillip Keller was appointed the first pastor in December of 1889. The Sisters of the Holy Family took charge of the school in 1898. They were the first African American sisters to teach in Diocesan Schools in Texas. Under the sisters, the school was incorporated as the Holy Rosary Industrial School and Orphan’s Home.

More than 200 people found safe refuge at the parish during the Great 1900 Storm,but the buildings were badly damaged. In 1913 the Josephite Fathers took over the administration of the parish. One year later, the parish moved to this site on the on 31st Street and Avenue N. Here the first Catholic High School for American African Americans open in 1927 (closing in 1951). By 1958, the parish had a new church, convent and elementary School.

Due to damages sustained in Hurricane Ike in 2008, only the church could be restored. Today, Holy Rosary Church forms part of the Holy Family Parish in Galveston, uniting historic Catholic Churches in Galveston dating back to 1839. (2017)

As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.