About Holy Trinity · Jarrell, Texas
Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Corn Hill is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Jarrell, Texas, in the Diocese of Austin. Founded in 1889 by immigrants from Moravia, Bohemia, Germany, and Ireland, it is one of the oldest parishes in Williamson County and is best known for its striking twin-spired, Gothic-revival brick church designed by noted San Antonio architect Leo M.J. Dielmann and dedicated in 1914. Today about 240 families from across Central Texas call Holy Trinity home, gathering for three Sunday Masses, a Saturday Vigil, weekday Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, a year-round Faith Formation program for children and adults (CCE/OCIA), and a robust calendar of parish organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and the Conference of Christian Mothers.
- Established
- 1889
- Patron
- The Most Holy Trinity
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen Nesrsta
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin
Why belong here
Holy Trinity of Corn Hill offers a rare combination: a small, multigenerational parish of about 240 families in a deeply historic, beautifully designed church, served by a priest with strong liturgical and pro-life convictions. Worshippers can attend three Sunday Masses (plus a Saturday Vigil) along with a packed devotional life that includes weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, Holy Hour of Reparation on Tuesdays, First Friday and First Saturday devotions, a weekly Rosary for Life, and an annual Czech Mass on the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Children can grow in faith through the K–12 CCE program and the OCIA process for adults, and there is a real sense of community through the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Conference of Christian Mothers, the Parish Activity Center, the parish cemetery, and frequent parish socials — all set on a hilltop just off I-35 between Georgetown and Temple.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:40 pm (before the 5:00 pm Vigil Mass)
- Sunday 6:30 – 7:10 am (before the 7:30 am Mass)
- Wednesday 5:30 – 6:10 pm, when there is 6:00 pm Mass (per bulletin)
- First Friday 5:00 – 5:40 pm
- First Saturday 8:00 – 9:00 am
- By appointment — call the parish office or rectory
Adoration times
- Thursday 3:00 – 9:00 pm in the church (weekly Adoration)
Parish History
Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Corn Hill traces its origins to 1889, when Moravian, Bohemian, German, and Irish Catholic settlers in northern Williamson County built a tiny chapel called Immaculate Conception under the Diocese of Galveston. A second, larger church dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity followed in 1891, taking its name from the parish church in Ostravice, Moravia. The present twin-spired, Gothic-revival sanctuary was begun in 1912 by the parish's first resident priest, Rev. William Skocek, designed by San Antonio architect Leo M.J. Dielmann, and dedicated in 1914.
The Current Church and Architect
The present church is a beige-brick, twin-spired Gothic building designed by the prominent San Antonio Catholic architect Leo Maria Joseph Dielmann (1881–1969), who also designed the Fort Sam Houston Post Chapel, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, and numerous buildings at Our Lady of the Lake University. The cornerstone was laid in 1913; Bishop Nicholas Gallagher of Galveston dedicated the sanctuary in 1914, and the church was consecrated in 1915. The soaring twin spires and Gothic windows are a landmark east of I-35, south of Jarrell.
Heritage and Czech Mass
The parish's Slavic, especially Czech, roots are central to its identity. In 2006 Msgr. Emilian Foltyn, himself a native of Corn Hill, revived the annual Czech Mass on February 14, the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, patron saints of the Slavic peoples. That tradition continues under current pastor Father Stephen Nesrsta, also of Czech descent.
- Annual Czech Mass on February 14, feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius
- Six parishioners became priests: Msgrs. Joseph, Ignatius and Tim Valenta (brothers), Rev. Paul Nemec, Rev. Alois Pavelka, and Msgr. Emilian Foltyn
- Six parishioners became nuns: Sr. Rose Kajs, Sr. James Huff, Sr. Angela Martinka, Sr. Mary Ann Martinka, Sr. Cyrilla Wolf, Sr. Emil Schlesinger
Faith Formation (CCE) and OCIA
Holy Trinity's Faith Formation program ministers to both children and adults. The parish's mission statement says: 'In this ever-changing world, we at Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Corn Hill realize more every day how important it is for our children to know, trust and love God. That is why we strive to educate the children of our parish and community with the knowledge of our Catholic faith.' Classes for grades K through 12 meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 8:00 pm, beginning with Mass as a group. Sacrament preparation begins in 1st grade for First Holy Communion and 8th grade for Confirmation. Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church participate in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA); already-Catholic adults who have not received all the Sacraments of Initiation are also welcome. Director of Faith Formation: Virginia Loza-Lee, 737-215-1042, [email protected].
- CCE Program: Grades K–12, Wednesday evenings 6:15 – 8:00 pm
- OCIA for adults (non-Catholics and Catholics completing their Sacraments of Initiation)
- First Holy Communion preparation begins in 1st grade
- Confirmation preparation begins in 8th grade
- Director of Faith Formation: Virginia Loza-Lee, 737-215-1042
Parish Organizations and Ministries
A wide range of parish organizations and ministries make up the daily life of Holy Trinity. Liturgical ministries include Lectors, Altar Servers, Ushers, Presenters of the Gifts, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (at Mass and to the shut-ins). Fraternal and devotional organizations include the Knights of Columbus (Council #17470), Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Conference of Christian Mothers, KJZT Society #15, K.J.T. Society #55, and Catholic Life Insurance #50. Pastoral ministries include the Music Ministry / Choir, Finance Council, Pastoral Council, Pro-Life Prayer Group, Religious Articles Cabinet, and CEF Enrollments. The parish also runs a regular toiletry drive for The Caring Place in Georgetown, which serves more than 4,000 people a month.
- Knights of Columbus — Holy Trinity Council #17470 (James Von Der Vellen, 512-868-6415)
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas (Monica Sherek, 512-864-4748)
- Conference of Christian Mothers (Deanna Fojtik, 254-217-2268)
- KJZT Society #15 (Belinda Beyer, 254-760-0255) and K.J.T. Society #55 (John Valenta, 281-507-5686)
- Catholic Life Insurance #50 (Tommy Sladecek, 512-635-3496)
- Pro-Life Prayer Group (Kathryn Streadwick, 254-721-4530)
- Music Ministry / Choir (Ronnie Simek, 512-630-5074)
- Liturgical ministries: Lector, Altar Server, Usher, Gift Bearers, EMHC (Mass and shut-ins)
Parish Staff and Contacts
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, and is staffed by Administrative Assistant Monica Snook. The current pastor is Rev. Stephen Nesrsta, appointed by Bishop Joe Vásquez in July 2013.
- Pastor: Rev. Stephen Nesrsta — 512-863-3020 — [email protected]
- Administrative Assistant: Monica Snook — 512-863-3020 — [email protected]
- Director of Faith Formation: Virginia Loza-Lee — 737-215-1042 — [email protected]
- Financial Bookkeeper: Rebecca Melend (or Gail Harshman) — 512-863-3020
- PAC Manager: Laura Fowkes — 512-922-4808
- Cemetery Director: Johnny Martinka — 512-966-4301
- Cemetery Maintenance: Scott Templeton — 512-845-0221
- Bulletin Announcement Deadline: Tuesdays at 2:30 pm
Parish Activity Center (PAC) and Facilities
Built during Msgr. Arthur Michalka's sixteen-year pastorate (1990–2006), the Parish Activity Center is the social heart of Holy Trinity, hosting parish events, meetings, reunions, weddings, church bazaars, the monthly Senior Citizens' Supper (prepared by the Catholic Daughters), Hospitality Sundays, fundraisers like the Knights' Super Bowl BBQ and the Catholic Daughters' Playscape Fun-raiser, and First Friday potlucks. The PAC is available for rental; inquiries go through the parish office (PAC Manager: Laura Fowkes, 512-922-4808).
Parish Cemetery
Adjacent to the church is a large historic cemetery with names that reflect the European heritage of the area; it includes a central burial plot and monument for priests. The site of the original 1889 Immaculate Conception chapel is marked in the cemetery by a life-sized figure of Christ on the Cross. The Cemetery Director is Johnny Martinka (512-966-4301); maintenance is handled by Scott Templeton (512-845-0221). For information, contact the parish office.
Sacraments
Baptisms are coordinated through the Faith Formation office (Virginia Loza-Lee, 737-215-1042). First Holy Communion preparation begins in 1st grade, and Confirmation preparation begins in 8th grade, both through the parish CCE program. Couples are asked to contact the priest at least 9–12 months before setting a wedding date. Confession is heard regularly Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, on First Fridays and First Saturdays, and by appointment. Anointing of the Sick and other appointments are made by calling the parish office or rectory.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jacob Lauth1889–
First pastor of the Corn Hill parish; built the small Immaculate Conception chapel in 1889 under the Diocese of Galveston.
- Rev. Joseph Chromcik1891–
Built the second, larger church and named it Holy Trinity after the church in Ostravice, Moravia.
- Rev. Joseph Pelnar
Served the young parish in the 1890s.
- Rev. F.G. Sebik
Served the young parish in the 1890s.
- Rev. V. Chlapik
Served the young parish in the 1890s.
- Rev. Frank Pridal
Czech immigrant priest who served in the 1890s.
- Rev. Frank Machan
Served the young parish in the 1890s.
- Rev. William Skocekfirst resident priest from 1912–1922
Built the present twin-spired Gothic church with parishioners; cornerstone 1913, dedicated 1914.
- Msgr. Ignatius J. Valenta1922–1957
Native of Corn Hill and longest-serving pastor; built a two-story school, a residence for the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, and the present rectory.
- Rev. George Doskocil1957–1963
- Rev. Thomas Matl1963–1966
Died in office.
- Rev. George Bonhard1967–1969
- Rev. Royce Hughes1969–1972
Joined by his brother Rev. Harold Hughes as assistant pastor.
- Rev. Edward JordanDec 1972–Jun 1973
- Rev. Mike LearyJun 1973–Jan 1974
- Rev. Henry GottschalkAug 1974–Feb 1975
- Rev. Gideon StramJul 1975–Jul 1979
Returned for a second term 1988–1990.
- Msgr. George TydlackaJul 1979–Feb 1980
- Rev. Charles MichalkaFeb 1980–Apr 1985
- Rev. Joe Van Anh NguyenApr 1985–Aug 1987
Built the religious education / parish hall in 1986.
- Rev. James O'Connor1987–1988
- Msgr. Gideon Stram (second term)Sep 1988–1990
- Msgr. Arthur MichalkaJun 1990–2006
Served 16 years; oversaw construction of the Parish Activity Center.
- Msgr. Emilian FoltynFeb 2006–Sep 2012
Native of Corn Hill; revived the annual Czech Mass on the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Died unexpectedly in September 2012.
- Rev. Stephen NesrstaJul 2013–present
Appointed by Bishop Joe Vásquez; of Czech descent; continues the parish's pro-life and Czech-rooted traditions.