About Diocese of Tyler
The Diocese of Tyler is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church covering 33 counties in northeast (East) Texas, with its mother church, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Tyler. It was erected on December 12, 1986 by Pope St. John Paul II from territory carved out of the Dioceses of Dallas, Beaumont, and Galveston-Houston, and canonically erected on February 24, 1987 with the ordination of Charles E. Herzig as its first bishop. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and today pastors roughly 119,000 Catholics through more than 50 parishes and 14 missions, schools, campus ministries, and Catholic Charities programs.
- Bishop
- Most Reverend Gregory Kelly
- Established
- 1986
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Tyler, Texas
- Territory
- 33 counties in eastern (northeast) Texas: Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Lamar, Leon, Madison, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood (60,720 km² / 23,453 sq mi).
- Parishes
- 54 parishes and 14 missions (per the diocesan website); Catholic-Hierarchy records 53 parishes and 4 missions as of 2023.
- Province
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (transferred from the province of San Antonio on December 29, 2004)
About the Diocese of Tyler
The Diocese of Tyler serves the Catholic faithful of 33 counties in northeast Texas from the Chancery at 1015 E. Southeast Loop 323 in Tyler, sharing its see city with the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The diocese's mission is to support parish priests and the people of its parishes and schools in worship, Gospel living, and evangelization across East Texas.
- Established December 12, 1986 by Pope St. John Paul II; formally erected February 24, 1987
- Territory carved from the Dioceses of Dallas, Beaumont, and Galveston-Houston
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (since December 29, 2004)
- Bishop: Most Rev. Gregory Kelly (fifth, installed February 24, 2025)
- 54 parishes and 14 missions across 33 counties
History
Catholic life in East Texas began in 1690 with Father Damián Massanet's San Francisco de los Tejas mission. After the Republic of Texas was founded, Pope Gregory XVI erected the Prefecture Apostolic of Texas in 1839; this became the Diocese of Galveston in 1847. Missionaries reached Clarksville, Nacogdoches, Marshall, and Tyler in the mid-1800s, and in 1878 Immaculate Conception Parish was established in Tyler. The diocese was finally carved out of Dallas, Beaumont, and Galveston-Houston in 1986 and erected on February 24, 1987 with Charles Herzig as its first bishop.
- 1690: First Catholic mission in Texas — San Francisco de los Tejas (Crockett area)
- 1839: Prefecture Apostolic of Texas erected
- 1847: Prefecture elevated to Diocese of Galveston
- 1878: Immaculate Conception Parish founded in Tyler
- 1986: Diocese of Tyler established by Pope John Paul II
- 1987: Charles Herzig ordained and installed as first bishop
Bishops of the Diocese of Tyler
Five bishops have led the diocese since 1987. Charles Herzig (1987–1991) laid the foundations before dying in office of lung cancer. Edmond Carmody (1992–2000) oversaw a major parish expansion. Álvaro Corrada del Río, SJ (2001–2011) shepherded the diocese between Puerto Rico assignments. Joseph Strickland (2012–2023), the first native East Texan, was removed by Pope Francis after an apostolic visitation. Gregory Kelly, appointed in December 2024, was installed February 24, 2025 — the 38th anniversary of the diocese.
- Charles E. Herzig — First Bishop (1987–1991)
- Edmond Carmody — Second Bishop (1992–2000)
- Álvaro Corrada del Río, SJ — Third Bishop (2001–2011)
- Joseph E. Strickland — Fourth Bishop (2012–2023, removed)
- Gregory Kelly — Fifth and current Bishop (2025–present)
Diocesan Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, at 423 S. Broadway in Tyler, has served as the mother church of the diocese since February 24, 1987. Its parish was established in 1878 to serve Irish, German, and Lebanese Catholic immigrants who arrived with the railroads. The present Spanish Renaissance–style building was designed by Dallas architect Ralph A. Bryan and dedicated on March 17, 1935 (St. Patrick's Day). In the early 1990s the parish added the Cathedral Center for meetings and banquets; in 2011 Bishop Corrada dedicated the 700-seat Chapel of Sts. Peter & Paul on the Bishop Gorman campus as an overflow Mass site.
- 423 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, TX 75702
- Parish founded 1878; current church dedicated March 17, 1935
- Designed by Dallas architect Ralph A. Bryan in Spanish Renaissance style
- Elevated to Cathedral February 24, 1987
Mass & Confession Times
Cathedral Mass schedule (per the parish website): Saturday Vigil 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 12 p.m. (Spanish); Monday–Friday 7 a.m.; Thursday 7 p.m. (Spanish); Saturday 8:30 a.m. The adjacent Chapel of Sts. Peter & Paul offers Sunday Mass at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 6 p.m. and weekday Mass at 12:05 p.m.
- Cathedral Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m.
- Cathedral Sunday: 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m. (Spanish)
- Cathedral Weekday Mass: Monday–Friday 7 a.m.
- Cathedral Thursday: additional 7 p.m. Spanish Mass
- Chapel of Sts. Peter & Paul Sunday: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m.
- Confessions: Thursday 6–7 p.m.; Friday 11–11:45 a.m.; Saturday 9–10 a.m., 4–5:15 p.m., 6:30–7 p.m.
Parishes Across East Texas
The diocesan parish finder lists 54 parishes and 14 missions across the 33 counties, with worship offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Latin (at St. Joseph the Worker in Tyler). Notable parish communities include Sacred Heart in Texarkana, St. Joseph in Marshall, St. Anthony in Longview, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Nacogdoches, St. Patrick in Lufkin, Sacred Heart in Palestine, St. Edward in Athens, and St. Mary in Longview. Vietnamese-speaking Catholics worship at Thien Tam Monastery near Alto, and the shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (associated with the historic mission era) is within the diocese.
- Parish Finder available at dioceseoftyler.org/parishes
- Spanish-language Masses offered at most parishes
- Vietnamese community served via Thien Tam Monastery
- St. Joseph the Worker (Tyler) offers the Traditional Latin Mass
Catholic Schools
The diocese operates a Christ-centered, academically challenging Catholic school system accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference. Families may also benefit from the new Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program to help fund tuition. From early childhood through high school graduation, diocesan schools integrate faith into every subject and welcome students of all backgrounds.
- Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School, Tyler — Grades 6–12 (903) 561-2424
- St. Gregory Cathedral School, Tyler — Grades PK–5 (903) 592-4109
- St. Mary Catholic School, Longview — Grades PK–12 (903) 753-1657
- St. Patrick Catholic School, Lufkin — Grades PK–8 (936) 634-6719
- St. Boniface Catholic School, Nacogdoches — Grades PK–4 (936) 564-7807
- Holy Family Academy, Canton — early elementary
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The diocesan Faith Formation Office supports parishes with catechetical resources, events, and trainings for every age and stage. Programs cover Christian Initiation (OCIA), Baptism, Youth Confirmation and Eucharist, Children's Formation, Special Needs, Adult Formation, and Leader Resources. Standardized materials include 'The Way of the Holy Family' for Baptism formation (English and Spanish), the bilingual 'Vivos en Cristo' for Grades 1–8, and 'Faith and Life' from Ignatius Press. The Diocese is preparing a pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, Korea.
- Christian Initiation (OCIA) preparation
- Baptism formation — 'The Way of the Holy Family' (English/Spanish)
- Youth Confirmation and First Eucharist
- Special Needs faith formation
- Diocesan Faith Formation Conference
- World Youth Day 2027 pilgrimage to Seoul, Korea
Catholic Campus Ministries
Two diocesan campus ministries bring the Gospel to college students in East Texas. St. John Paul II Catholic Campus Ministry serves students at UT Tyler and Tyler Junior College from 2603 Old Omen Road in Tyler, while St. Mary's Catholic Campus Ministry serves Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Both communities offer Mass, Bible studies, faith formation, and pastoral care for students entering the workforce, community college, or university.
- St. John Paul II Catholic Campus Ministry — UT Tyler / Tyler Junior College
- St. Mary's Catholic Campus Ministry — Stephen F. Austin State University
- Address: 2603 Old Omen Road, Tyler, TX 75701 — (903) 266-9110
Vocations to the Priesthood
The Vocations Office, directed by Rev. Justin Braun and Associate Vocations Director Rev. Steven Chabarria, walks with men discerning a call to the priesthood through inquiry, application, seminary, and ordination. In 2026 the diocese launched a 'Called By Name' initiative inviting parishioners to nominate young men aged 15–35 who may be open to discernment, paired with a new discernment website, weekly 'Art of Discernment' reflections, and small discernment groups led by priests across the diocese.
- Vocations Director: Rev. Justin Braun
- Associate Vocations Director: Rev. Steven Chabarria
- 'Called By Name' nomination campaign (launched Good Shepherd Sunday 2026)
- Art of Discernment weekly reflections for discerners
Catholic Charities of East Texas
Catholic Charities – Diocese of Tyler, located at 305 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, is the social-services arm of the diocese and a servant of the Body of Christ engaged in works of mercy across the 33 East Texas counties. Programs include immigration legal services (with a dedicated helpline), disaster relief, feeding the hungry, infant safety (cribs and car seats), educational opportunities, and the signature Parish Nursing program — Registered Nurses serving patients at parish campuses up to 8 hours a week at no cost.
- Immigration Legal Services — (903) 258-9492 ext. 107
- Parish Nurse Hotline — (903) 258-9492 ext. 104
- Disaster Relief, Feeding Programs, Infant Safety (cribs & car seats)
- Parish and Outreach Nursing across the diocese
- 305 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, TX (ccetx.org)
Safe Environment
The diocesan Safe Environment Program works cooperatively with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to protect children and young people. In compliance with Article 12 of the U.S. bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the diocese uses the VIRTUS 'Empowering God's Children' curriculum for age-appropriate instruction in grades Pre-K through 12.
- VIRTUS 'Empowering God's Children' curriculum
- Required training for all religious-education and Catholic-school youth
- Background checks and Code of Conduct for adults in ministry
Bishop's Office & Diocesan Chancery
The Bishop's Office, together with the diocesan chancery at 1015 E. Southeast Loop 323, assists Bishop Gregory Kelly in the daily ministry of teaching, sanctifying, and leading the Church in East Texas. The office supports parishes, clergy, religious, and lay faithful in living out the mission of the Gospel. Staff include Very Rev. Hank Lanik (Vicar General), the Vicar for Priests, Executive Assistant, and administrative staff.
- Bishop Gregory Kelly — Fifth Bishop of Tyler
- Very Rev. Hank Lanik — Vicar General
- Vicar for Priests
- Bishop's Office — (903) 534-1077
Getting Involved
Catholics in East Texas can get involved through their local parish, the diocesan Bishop's Appeal, Catholic school volunteering, parish nursing, the Called By Name vocations initiative, the Faith Formation Office, or Catholic Charities volunteer opportunities. The diocese also publishes news, events, and the 'East Texas Catholic' diocesan communications from the chancery.
- 2026 Bishop's Appeal
- Parish and school volunteer opportunities
- Catholic Charities volunteer programs
- Called By Name vocations nominations
- Faith Formation catechist training
