About Immaculate Conception · Corsicana, Texas
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Corsicana, Texas, serving Catholics in Navarro County and the surrounding area since 1871. As the oldest continuously operating parish in the Diocese of Dallas, it runs James L. Collins Catholic School (founded 1955) and offers a bilingual, multi-ethnic faith community with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish each weekend, as well as an active Emmaus Youth Ministry, OCIA (RCIA), and parish school of religion. The parish sits on a 22-acre campus on Highway 22 on the west side of Corsicana and is currently pastored by Father Juan Carlos Marín.
- Established
- 1871
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Rev. Juan Carlos Marín
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception brings together a vibrant, multi-ethnic Catholic community — one of the oldest in North Texas — where every Mass of the weekend is offered in English, Spanish, or bilingual to welcome every household. Families can raise their children in the faith through James L. Collins Catholic School (serving Pre-K through 8th grade since 1955), Faith Formation programs, the Emmaus Youth Ministry, and a robust OCIA process for adults. Add lively parish organizations (Knights of Columbus, Ladies Auxiliary, Our Lady's Altar Society, St. Vincent de Paul Society, CYO, Cemetery Association, Christ Renews His Parish) and the warmth of a parish that has served Corsicana for over 150 years.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday 3:30 PM (or 3:50 PM per bulletin) – 5:00 PM
- 1st Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Friday (Lenten, March 13 & March 20, 2026) 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Wednesday (Lenten, March 25 & April 1, 2026) 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday and Saturday also by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
- First Friday of the month Holy Hour 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Parish History: 150 Years in Corsicana
The Immaculate Conception parish traces to 1871, when Father Peter Chandy was ordained in the Cathedral of Galveston and assigned to serve the McLennan and Navarro County area. Mr. and Mrs. John Noonan, the first Catholics in Corsicana, donated the original 150' x 175' lot; the first frame church (complete with belfry and spire) was completed in 1872 at a cost of $3,000. Father Chandy also persuaded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to found the parish school (Academy of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) in 1874. Calvary Cemetery was purchased in 1897, and when the diocese of Dallas was carved out of the Diocese of Galveston in 1891, Immaculate Conception became part of the new diocese. The longest pastorate belonged to Msgr. Vitus Graffeo (1914–1959), an Italian-born priest from Palermo. The current church, school, convent and rectory were built in 1955, funded largely by the estate of bachelor oilman James L. Collins, who had died on December 8, 1953 — the Feast of the Immaculate Conception — leaving an estate of roughly $13 million. In 1996 the parish held its 125th Anniversary Mass with Bishop Charles V. Grahmann and Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan; in 2016 Bishop Kevin Farrell recognized Immaculate Conception as the oldest continuously operating parish in the Diocese of Dallas; and on October 3, 2021, the community celebrated its 150th anniversary.
- 1871 — Father Peter Chandy arrives; first church completed 1872.
- 1874 — Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur open the parish school.
- 1891 — Parish is absorbed into the new Diocese of Dallas.
- 1897 — Calvary Cemetery purchased.
- 1914–1959 — Msgr. Vitus Graffeo pastors the parish for 42 years.
- 1953 — James L. Collins dies on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
- 1955 — Groundbreaking for the current church, school, convent and rectory.
- 1996 — 125th Anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Charles V. Grahmann.
- 2016 — Bishop Kevin Farrell names Immaculate Conception the oldest continuously operating parish in the Diocese of Dallas.
- October 3, 2021 — 150th anniversary of the parish.
Becoming Catholic: OCIA (formerly RCIA)
The parish runs a full Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process, including a Mystagogy period after the Easter Vigil in which newly baptized and/or confirmed Catholics continue their formation, reflect on their experience, and become acquainted with parish life by joining the various ministries. OCIA is adapted for youth ages 8–13 (with parents attending a separate night) and addresses the situation of civilly-married, divorced, or divorced-and-remarried catechumens, who are asked to visit with Fr. Juan Carlos before beginning.
- Adult OCIA (English/Spanish track as available).
- Adapted youth OCIA for ages 8–13.
- Mystagogy — post-Easter-Vigil formation and integration into parish life.
- Pre-OCIA conversations with Fr. Juan Carlos for those in irregular marital situations.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation (English and Spanish) is offered for children not enrolled in James L. Collins Catholic School, with registrations accepted through the fall each year. The program runs alongside the parish's longtime Catechetical offerings and is supported by the Safe Environment (Ambiente Seguro) compliance and training required for all adult volunteers working with minors.
- Faith Formation Registration — ongoing until the fall (English and Spanish tracks).
- Safe Environment / Ambiente Seguro training for volunteers.
- Adaptation for children under 8 in Religious Education programs.
James L. Collins Catholic School
The parish's parochial school was funded by the estate of James L. Collins, who left funds to build and operate the school on the day of the parish's patron feast — December 8, 1953. Groundbreaking for the school, the new church, the convent and the rectory took place on January 30, 1955, and the school opened that same year staffed by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston — the first and only institution they served in the Diocese of Dallas. Sister Mary DeLourdes was the first principal; the school received Texas state accreditation in May 1961. Kindergarten was added in 1975, extended child care in 1987, and pre-kindergarten in 1989. The Mothers' Club (organized October 1955) became the Parent-Teacher Club and then the Parent-Teacher Committee. A 1959 expansion ($101,000) added classrooms, a library, offices, and restroom facilities; a 1990 expansion added four classrooms. Today the school offers Pre-K through 8th grade on the 22-acre parish campus on Highway 22 and is supported by the parish's job-posting and development efforts.
- Opened 1955 with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston.
- Pre-K3/Pre-K4 added; Kindergarten (1975); Extended Child Care (1987); Pre-K (1989).
- State accreditation — May 1961.
- Active Parent-Teacher Committee (formerly Mothers' Club, since October 1955).
- Open positions have included first-grade teacher, preschool teacher, business manager, part-time music teacher, and principal.
Youth Ministry: Emmaus & CYO
The parish's youth ministry, branded Emmaus Youth Ministry, registers for the fall each year. The original CYO has been active 'on and off' through the parish's history, running service projects, fundraisers, and social activities under adult advisors; a dedicated enclosed pavilion behind the church was progressively modified from 1997 (begun under Father Robert Williams) and finally completed as an enclosed structure in October 2019 to serve the youth ministries.
- Emmaus Youth Ministry — fall registration.
- CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) — service projects, fundraisers, social activities.
- Pavilion history: begun 1997, progressively enclosed, completed October 2019.
- Spring 2013 — bus barn behind church repurposed into meeting rooms (Father Jason Cargo, pastor).
Parish Organizations & Adult Ministries
Long-standing parish organizations and adult ministries include Our Lady's Altar Society (since 1914), the Knights of Columbus Council (chartered 1961) and the Ladies Auxiliary (formed July 1989), the St. Vincent de Paul Society (founded April 1986 under Miriam Kindle), and the Cemetery Association (formed March 1946 to care for Calvary Cemetery). Other historical groups have included a Men's Club, Boy and Girl Scout troops, Camp Fire, Legion of Mary, Newman Club and CYO. Christ Renews His Parish is offered as a retreat ministry, and parish committees include the Parish Advisory Council (reorganized in 1973 and 1984) and the Finance Committee (organized September 1973).
- Our Lady's Altar Society (since 1914).
- Knights of Columbus Council (since 1961) and Ladies Auxiliary (since 1989).
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (since 1986) — Advent Tree, Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter programs.
- Cemetery Association (since 1946) — Calvary Cemetery.
- Christ Renews His Parish retreat ministry.
- Parish Advisory Council and Finance Committee.
- Hispanic music ministry announcements (e.g., Jésed Ministerio de Música concerts).
Pastoral Staff
The parish is currently served by Father Juan Carlos Marín, originally from Pereira, Colombia. The son of Luis Ovidio Marín and Myrian Cortés, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from the Andes University in Bogotá and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Dallas on May 31, 2014. He was assigned to Corsicana on July 1, 2019, replacing Father Marco Rangel, and was installed as Pastor by Bishop Edward Burns on June 6, 2021. He can be reached at [email protected]. Other parish staff referenced in the parish's published history include Director of Religious Education Therese Miller, RCIA coordinator Miriam Kindle, sacristan Terry Seaton, and office secretary Marge Hensley. Deacon Lewis Palos, ordained in January 1992 from the parish, served until retiring from active ministry in 2023.
- Pastor: Rev. Juan Carlos Marín (since July 1, 2019; installed June 6, 2021).
- Pastoral Administrator/former pastor: Father Marco Rangel (March 2016 – 2019).
- Deacon Lewis Palos — ordained 1992 from the parish, retired 2023.
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul & Cemetery
Since its founding in April 1986, the St. Vincent de Paul Society has provided direct help to parish families in need, sponsoring Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter food and gift programs and running the Advent Tree at Christmas. The Cemetery Association was formed in March 1946 by a group of parishioners to care for Calvary Cemetery — purchased by the Bishop of Dallas in 1897 — handling landscaping, upkeep, and the sale of lots.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter assistance; Advent Tree.
- Cemetery Association at Calvary Cemetery (since 1946; cemetery since 1897).
Visit, Connect & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can connect through the parish website (iccorsicana.org), which offers 'Get Directions' to the campus at 3000 W State Highway 22, a parish app for bulletin and Mass-time delivery, and parish email/text messaging. The Main Office phone is (903) 874-4473, with general communications at [email protected] and the pastor reached at [email protected]. School inquiries (including job applications for James L. Collins Catholic School) can be sent to [email protected].
- Address — 3000 West State Highway 22, Corsicana, TX 75110.
- Phone — (903) 874-4473.
- Email — [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected].
- Driving directions via the parish website; new parking-lot access from Highway 22 (completed August 2017).
- Parish app / text & email bulletin delivery offered.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Peter (Pierre Francois) Chandy1871–1880
First pastor; built the first frame church (1872) and brought the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to found the parish school (1874).
- Father James Thion1880–1890
Replaced the original church; cornerstone of the second church laid in 1896.
- Father C.M. Donohoe1890–1891
Pastor when the northern part of the Galveston Diocese became the new Diocese of Dallas.
- Msgr. Vitus Graffeo1914–1959
Italian-born priest from Palermo; made a Monsignor in 1927; served 42 years — the longest pastorate. Died April 21, 1959.
- Father Robert E. Rehkemper1955 onward
Heard at the 125th anniversary Mass; led the building campaign for the new school with Dr. A.L. Grizzaffi and others.
- Father Flanaganlate 1970s–1980s
Led the Parish Advisory Council (formed 1973) and an extensive church/rectory remodeling program.
- Father George Monaghanfrom July 1990
Completed the Flanagan remodeling; created the Eucharistic Chapel; hired Sister Penny Dunn; implemented the RCIA program; re-established the Pastoral Council.
- Father Robert Williamsfrom September 20, 1995
First bilingual pastor; held a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Dallas; expanded representation on Council and Finance Committee.
- Father Danny Ramoscirca 2009
Present at the September 19, 2009 groundbreaking for the Holy Family Center addition.
- Father Jason Cargo2012–2015 era
Led major 2012–2015 church renovations (new flooring, pews, baptismal font); began the front parking lot expansion in 2016.
- Father Marco RangelMarch 1, 2016 – 2019
Pastoral Administrator; installed as Pastor by Bishop Edward Burns on October 29, 2017; completed the parking lot expansion in August 2017.
- Father Juan Carlos MarínJuly 1, 2019 – present
Installed as Pastor by Bishop Edward Burns on June 6, 2021; originally from Pereira, Colombia; ordained for the Diocese of Dallas on May 31, 2014.