FIRST -- Catholic Pastor of St Elizabeth's Catholic Church , Lubbock TX
N 33° 35.110 W 101° 51.984
14S E 233970 N 3719844
Fr. Gabriel Diamante was the first Pastor of St Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Lubbock
Waymark Code: WM10X67
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 07/04/2019
Views: 1
A state historical marker in front of Saint Elizabeth's Catholic Church near Texas Tech University preserves the history of the parish and its first Pastor, Fr. Gabriel Diamante..
The marker reads as follows:
"ST ELIZABETH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
Early Catholic settlers in Lubbock and on the Texas South Plains celebrated Mass with traveling priests in private homes. Beginning in 1905, Father Joseph Keller traveled from Slaton to offer Mass for Catholics at the Merrell Hotel. In December 1924, Bishop Joseph Lynch in the Diocese of Dallas started Lubbock's first Catholic parish, dedicated to St. Joseph. Father M. G. French came from Slaton twice a month to lead the congregation at its North Avenue P location.
When Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) opened in 1925, the city grew to the west, bringing more people to this area. Father Gabriel Diamante and Dr. Bessie Lee organized a Newman Club for the college's Catholic students in 1934. The following year, Bishop Robert E. Lucey of the Diocese of Amarillo began plans to construct a second local church. The diocese purchased this site and hired oh. R. Walker and James E. Atchison to design and build a Spanish Mission-style church here. The building's eclectic design shows Byzantine and Spanish Colonial influences, with elaborate stonework featuring stylistic elements and religious symbolism.
Dedicated on March 29, 1936, the church was named for St. Elizabeth to honor the mother of Papal Countess Katherine Price, who contributed greatly to the building project. Father Diamante became the first pastor. Over the years, the parish added programs and facilities. Members helped establish a Catholic Student Center as part of St. Elizabeth University Parish in 1980. Today, the church represents a diverse membership of ages, races and nationalities, including University students and longtime Lubbock residents.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark -- 2005"
FIRST - Classification Variable: Person or Group
Date of FIRST: 03/29/1936
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
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