About Annunciation · Houston, Texas
The Church of the Annunciation is a Catholic parish in downtown Houston, Texas, founded in 1869 by Fr. Joseph Querat with the support of Bishop Claude Dubuis. It is the oldest church in continuous use of any faith in Houston and the mother church of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, having given rise to numerous daughter parishes. Annunciation is renowned for its traditional liturgical life, offering daily Mass, a Sunday Latin Mass, Solemn Chanted Vespers, and Eucharistic Adoration, all set within a historic Clayton-designed Romanesque Revival building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Annunciation
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Felix
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
Annunciation offers a worship experience rooted in centuries of Catholic tradition in the architectural beauty of one of Houston's oldest landmarks. Parishioners benefit from a rich liturgical life that includes daily Mass, a Sunday Latin Mass, weekday Latin Masses, Solemn Chanted Vespers with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, and extended periods of Eucharistic Adoration. The parish fosters strong community through its Marian Daughters women's group, Holy League Holy Hour for Men, Young Adult Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Family Life Apostolate, Landscaping Apostolate, Rosary Center, and St. Paul Street Evangelization outreach — all set in the heart of downtown Houston near MetroRail lines and accessible parking.
Mass times at Annunciation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 15 minutes before each regularly scheduled Mass
- Saturday 7:45 AM
- Saturday 5:15 PM
- Sunday 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM (registration required via Flocknote)
Adoration times
- Monday-Friday 6:15 AM
- Monday-Friday 11:55 AM
- First Sundays after 9 and 11 AM Masses
History of Annunciation Parish
Founded in 1869 by Father Joseph Querat with the support of Bishop Claude Dubuis of Galveston, the Church of the Annunciation is the oldest church in continuous use of any faith in Houston. The original structure was built on bricks salvaged from the old Harris County Courthouse and designed by the Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton in Gothic forms of European cathedrals, using plans obtained in France by Father Querat. It was dedicated on September 10, 1871.
- Cornerstone laid in April 1869
- Dedicated September 10, 1871
- Texas Historic Landmark designated 1969 (centennial year)
- National Register of Historic Places listing
- Annunciation sesquicentennial (150th) celebrated in 2019
Architectural Heritage & Clayton Reconstructions
Beginning in 1881, architect Nicholas J. Clayton led a comprehensive reconstruction of the church that lasted more than a decade, transforming it into the Romanesque Revival landmark that stands today. Clayton thickened the nave walls, shored the sagging west front, and added the slender 175-foot central bell tower — the tallest structure in Houston when completed in 1889. Twin towers replaced the original single tower in 1884, a clerestory level raised the side walls, and a transept and apsidal chancel were added.
- Architect: Nicholas J. Clayton (1840–1916), Galveston
- Twin towers added 1884
- Central bell tower (175 ft) topped out 1889
- Apsidal chancel added to east end in 1895
- Marble altars from Tennessee by Charles Sebastian Ott, 1897
- Rose window above altar, 1897
- Pilcer pipe organ installed 1924
- Marble shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1926–1928
- Air-conditioning added 1937
- Marble shrine to Our Lady, Help of Christians, 1945
- Replica fresco of Raphael's The Transfiguration in the dome
Daughter Parishes & Institutional Legacy
As the mother church of Houston Catholicism, Annunciation has given rise to five daughter parishes and helped launch enduring civic and educational institutions. In 1874 the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament established Incarnate Word Academy — Houston's first all-girls school — on land purchased by Father Querat. The parish's pastors also contributed to the establishment of Houston's first parish church and Catholic school for African-Americans.
- St. Joseph Parish (1879)
- St. Patrick Parish (1880)
- St. Nicholas Parish (1887)
- Sacred Heart Parish (1897)
- Blessed Sacrament Parish (1910)
- Incarnate Word Academy (1874) — Houston's first all-girls school
- Annunciation School (designed by Clayton, 1906; closed 1983)
- San José Clinic (co-founded through Annunciation)
- Charity Guild of Catholic Women (co-founded through Annunciation)
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
Annunciation is known for its traditional liturgical life, offering Mass 22 times per week in both English and Latin, with a strong emphasis on the Extraordinary Form and Gregorian chant. The parish's principal 11:00 AM Sunday Mass is celebrated in Latin.
- Sunday: 7:00 AM (English), 9:00 AM (English), 11:00 AM (Latin), 5:30 PM (English)
- Monday–Friday: 6:30 AM (English); 12:10 PM (English or Latin; Tuesdays and Thursdays always Latin)
- Saturday: 8:00 AM (English); 5:30 PM (English Sunday Vigil)
- Confession: 15 minutes before each Mass; Saturday 7:45 AM and 5:15 PM; Sunday 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM (registration via Flocknote)
Sacraments
Annunciation celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Confession is offered daily before Mass and at scheduled extended times. Information on baptism, marriage, anointing of the sick, and confirmation can be obtained through the parish office.
- Baptism
- Marriage (Matrimony)
- Penance & Reconciliation (Confession)
- Eucharist (Mass and Adoration)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Confirmation
Music & Choirs
Annunciation sustains one of the most active sacred music programs in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, with multiple choral ensembles accompanying Masses and special services. The parish has hosted evening concerts of sacred music, including organ and violin recitals, and supports a professional choir in residence, Sola Stella.
- Schola Cantorum — sings at the 11 AM Latin Mass; principal ensemble; rehearses Wednesday evenings
- 9:30 AM Choir — sings at Sunday 9:30 AM Mass
- English Schola — sings at 5:30 PM Sunday Mass under director Lowell Davis
- Sola Stella — professional choir in residence, led by Director of Music and Organist Felipe Gasper
- Pilcer pipe organ (installed 1924)
Parish Ministries & Apostolates
Annunciation hosts a range of parish ministries and apostolates serving men, women, young adults, families, and the broader Houston community. The parish is active in evangelization, gardening, Marian devotion, and street outreach, including at major civic events like the FIFA Fan Festival.
- Marian Daughters — women's group; hosts wine and cheese receptions
- Holy League Holy Hour for Men
- Young Adult Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- Family Life Apostolate
- Annunciation Rosary Center
- Landscaping Apostolate (second Saturdays after 8 AM Mass)
- St. Paul Street Evangelization (e.g., FIFA Fan Festival outreach at Shell Energy Stadium)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Joseph Querat1866-1879
Founder; canon of the Cathedral of Lyons, missionary to Texas; oversaw construction and dedication of the original church; established Incarnate Word Academy with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.
- Thomas Hennessy1879-1913
Retained architect Nicholas J. Clayton to resolve structural issues and enhance the church; oversaw major reconstruction including twin towers (1884), central bell tower (1889), clerestory, transept, expanded sanctuary, fresco of Raphael's Transfiguration, and barreled ceiling.
- George T. Walsh1914-1933
First Monsignor of Houston.
- Thomas F. Hogan1934-1943
- Anton J. Frank1943-1978
First native Houstonian ordained for the Diocese of Galveston; ordained in Annunciation Church and served his entire priestly ministry there.
- Teodoro de la Torre1978-1989
- James Golasinski1989-2013
- Paul Felix2013-present
Current pastor; leads traditional liturgical life including Latin Mass, Solemn Chanted Vespers, and Holy League Holy Hour for Men.