About Our Lady of Guadalupe · Hebbronville, Texas
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish is a historic Catholic parish in Hebbronville, Texas, the county seat of Jim Hogg County, that has been under the pastoral care of the Franciscan Friars of the Saints James and Francis Province of Mexico since 1926. The friars came north to escape religious persecution in Mexico and have served the parish and its missions ever since. Today the parish ministers to a predominantly bicultural, English-Spanish community in Hebbronville and three mission chapels in Bruni, Mirando City, and Oilton, all within the Diocese of Laredo. The parish complex, which includes the 1964 main church and the 1944 Scotus College seminary building, anchors the northeast corner of Hebbronville Plaza and is considered a Texas historic treasure.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (adopted 1927; previously St. Isidore)
- Rector
- Fr. Juan Jose Ibarra, OFM
- Diocese
- Diocese of Laredo (since July 3, 2000; previously Diocese of Corpus Christi)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the spiritual heart of Hebbronville's predominantly bicultural Catholic community and offers a rare blend of deep Franciscan tradition and active parish life. Bilingual (English/Spanish) Mass is offered every day of the week, with daily Eucharistic Adoration, frequent Confessions, an extensive faith-formation program for children, youth, and adults (including RCIA and Confirmation), and a wide range of lay ministries — Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Guadalupanas, Cursillistas, Secular Franciscans, youth and adult choirs, a Detention Center Ministry, and a Jamaica committee — that make it easy to get involved. Worshipping here also means sharing in the living legacy of the Franciscan friars who built the parish, the Scotus College seminary, and the historic church that anchor Hebbronville's central plaza.
Mass times at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before and after every Mass, daily
- By appointment (call 361-527-3865)
Adoration times
- Holy Hour of Adoration: Monday–Friday, 5:00 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration (per sacraments page): Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Adoration Chapel open daily, 6:00 AM–7:00 PM
About Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
For almost one hundred years, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Hebbronville has been under the pastoral care of the Franciscan Friars of the Saints James and Francis Province — a branch of the worldwide Order of Friars Minor (OFM) founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223. During the early years the entire Province relocated here, including the Franciscan seminary, due to the religious persecutions in Mexico. Today the parish is staffed by two full-time priests and one religious brother who care for the main parish and its three missions in the Diocese of Laredo.
- Mission: 'We, the Catholic Community of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as a group of caring, compassionate disciples, are called to holiness... we commit ourselves to the New Evangelization.'
- Parish is guided by the Franciscan Friars, Parish Staff, Parish Council, and Finance Council.
- Two full-time priests and one religious brother currently serve the parish and its missions.
Parish History
Catholic life in Hebbronville dates to 1890, when the first chapel — dedicated to St. Isidore — was completed. Itinerant priests served the small community until 1926, when three Franciscan friars fleeing religious persecution in Mexico (Frs. Bernardino Madueño, Jose Guadalupe Torres, and Pascual Ruiz) were welcomed by Bishop Emmanuel B. Ledvina of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. In 1927 the patroness was changed to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the parish grew steadily through the 20th century with the construction of the Little Flower School, the Secular Franciscan Order (1931), the Knights of Columbus (1939), the magnificent Scotus College seminary (1940–1944), and finally the present main church (1956–1964). The old 1899 chapel was demolished in 1970. In 2000 the parish became part of the new Diocese of Laredo, and 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Franciscan presence in Hebbronville.
- 1890 – First St. Isidore chapel completed (built starting June 13, 1898).
- 1920s – Served by visiting priests Fr. Pedro Bard, Fr. Leonard Cunningham C.P., Fr. E.M. Bruyn, and Fr. Juan Bautista Lavoie.
- August 6, 1926 – First three Franciscan friars arrive in Hebbronville.
- July 9, 1927 – Patroness changed to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- 1930 – Little Flower School construction begins.
- May 3, 1931 – Secular Franciscan Order established in Hebbronville.
- May 24, 1936 – Mrs. Marie Stella Turcotte Kennedy donates the main altar (built in San Luis Potosí, Mexico).
- April 2, 1939 – Knights of Columbus established.
- 1940–1944 – Scotus College seminary built; designed by José J. Alvarez.
- 1952 – Scotus College closes as a seminary as friars return to Mexico.
- 1956–1964 – Construction of the present main church.
- 1970 – The old 1899 chapel is demolished.
- July 3, 2000 – Diocese of Laredo created; parish transferred from Diocese of Corpus Christi.
- 2026 – 100th anniversary of the Franciscan presence in Hebbronville.
Architecture & Historic Buildings
The current Our Lady of Guadalupe Church was completed in 1964 to replace a mid-block 1899 Gothic Revival chapel. Its design — a rose-colored Alamoesque parapet flanked by twin towers and a colorfully tiled dome — deliberately echoes the 18th-century Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The church anchors the northeast corner of Hebbronville Plaza, a traditional Mexican-style public space with benches, statues, and a bandstand. Adjacent stands Scotus College, a four-story Spanish Colonial Revival seminary completed in 1944, designed by master builder José J. Alvarez of Hebbronville and largely financed by philanthropist Marie Stella Turcotte Kennedy. With its segmental-arched linear ambulatory, red tile hipped roof, and white-painted walls, it is considered the preeminent architectural landmark in Hebbronville and a Texas historic treasure; it now houses the parish offices, faith-formation classrooms, and the Franciscan Museum of Hebbronville.
- Current church: 1964, rose-colored Alamoesque parapet with twin towers, colorfully tiled dome.
- Main altar: built in San Luis Potosí, Mexico; donated May 24, 1936 by Mrs. Marie Stella Turcotte Kennedy.
- Scotus College: 1944, Spanish Colonial Revival, designed by José J. Alvarez; listed Texas historic treasure.
- Location: northeast corner of Hebbronville Plaza (N. Cedar, N. Hickory, E. Tilley, E. Sta. Clara).
Franciscan Heritage
The parish is served by the Franciscan Friars of the Saints James and Francis Province of Mexico, who have had an unbroken presence in Hebbronville since 1926. The Province relocated to Hebbronville in its entirety during the Mexican religious persecutions, and the local community in turn has supported the friars' cultural, educational, and spiritual mission ever since. The friars' non-profit arm, the Franciscan Friars of Hebbronville, supports education, the Franciscan Museum, and the restoration of the historic Scotus College building.
- Order: Order of Friars Minor (OFM), founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223.
- Province: Saints James and Francis Province of Mexico.
- Local non-profit: Franciscan Friars of Hebbronville (educational, charitable, religious purposes).
- Franciscans staff 2 full-time priests and 1 religious brother today.
Sacraments
Our Lady of Guadalupe prepares and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, with specific programs for children, youth, and adults. Baptisms are scheduled monthly after a required class; First Communion and Confirmation follow multi-year catechetical programs; Matrimony and Quinceañera require six months of advance planning; and RCIA welcomes unbaptized adults, Christians from other denominations, and Catholic adults needing sacraments of initiation.
- Baptism: 4th Sunday after 11:00 AM Mass; class on 3rd Sunday at 12:30 PM in OLG Basement/Parish Hall.
- First Holy Communion (CCD): 2-year program for grades 2–8; contact Erica Muñoz (361-474-5915).
- Confirmation: 2-year program for ages 14–18.
- RCIA: late August through Easter.
- Matrimony: 6 months notice required; contact the parish office before any arrangements.
- Quinceañera: 6 months advance booking; must be enrolled in Confirmation I.
- Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders also offered.
Faith Formation (CCD, Confirmation, RCIA)
Faith Formation at Our Lady of Guadalupe is understood as a lifelong journey involving the whole parish family. Children's CCD (grades 2–8) and the youth Confirmation program (ages 14–18) are two-year preparation tracks, while the RCIA process for adults runs from late August through Easter. Erica Muñoz serves as the main point of contact for the formation programs.
- Children's CCD: grades 2–8, two-year preparation.
- Confirmation: ages 14–18, two-year preparation.
- RCIA: for unbaptized, other Christians, and Catholic adults needing initiation sacraments.
- Contact: Erica Muñoz, (361) 474-5915 or (361) 527-3865.
Parish Ministries & Organizations
The parish supports a large and active lay ministry network, ranging from liturgical service (choirs, lectors, altar servers, extraordinary ministers) to social and devotional groups (Guadalupanas, Catholic Daughters, Secular Franciscans, Knights of Columbus, Cursillistas, Immaculadas), formation (RCIA, CCD, Youth Ministry, Youth Alvernia), and outreach (Detention Center Ministry, New Evangelization, Jamaica Committee, Cemetery Committee).
- Liturgical: Youth Choir, Adult Choir (David Morales), Altar Servers (Iris Zambrano Morales), Lectors (Norma Flores), Youth Lectors (Alfredo & Kaitlyn Alaniz), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Vilma Carrillo), Liturgical Committee.
- Formation: Religious Education for Children (Sandra & Jose Lopez), RCIA (Carlos Rene Ramirez), Youth Alvernia, Youth Ministry (Noah Morales), Confirmation (Erica Muñoz).
- Outreach & Devotional: Detention Center Ministry (Brother Ubaldo & Servando Leal, 24/7), New Evangelization (Santiago & Lupita Perez), Guadalupanas, Catholic Daughters, Immaculadas, Cursillistas.
- Fraternal: Knights of Columbus (est. 1939), Secular Franciscan Order (est. 1931).
- Parish Life: Parish Council (David Morales), Finance Council, Jamaica Committee, Rosary Leaders, Quinceañera and Weddings coordinator (Patricia Flores), Cemetery Committee (Vicky Garcia).
Missions
Following the 2000 creation of the Diocese of Laredo, the Franciscan friars of Our Lady of Guadalupe continue to serve three mission chapels, all reachable from the Hebbronville parish office.
- Sacred Heart Mission — 211 N. Ave. G / 4th St., Bruni, TX 78344 — Sunday Mass 9:00 AM (bilingual). Confessions before and after Mass.
- St. Agnes Mission — 324 Linder St., Mirando City, TX 78369 — Sunday Mass 11:00 AM (bilingual). Confessions before and after Mass.
- Mission of the Sacred Heart, Oilton — served by the parish.
- All three missions share the parish phone (361-527-3865) and email ([email protected]).
Franciscan Museum of Hebbronville
Adjacent to the church, inside the historic Scotus College building, the Franciscan Museum of Hebbronville preserves the heritage of the Franciscan presence in South Texas and the wider Hebbronville community. The museum is operated by the Franciscan Friars of Hebbronville non-profit and welcomes visitors during regular office hours or by appointment outside of them.
- Location: Scotus College building, 504 E. Santa Clara, Hebbronville.
- Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM; visits outside hours by appointment.
- Operated by the Franciscan Friars of Hebbronville non-profit.
Visit Us — Address, Hours, Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The church and Adoration Chapel are open every day, and the parish office handles calls, registrations, and appointments. The Franciscan Museum can also be toured during office hours or by appointment.
- Address: 504 E. Santa Clara, Hebbronville, TX 78361.
- Phone: 361-527-3865.
- Email: [email protected].
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
- Church & Adoration Chapel Hours: Daily 6:00 AM–7:00 PM.
- Museum Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (outside hours call to book a visit).
- Website: http://www.olghebbronville.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bernardino Madueño, OFM1926–
First Franciscan pastor of Hebbronville; appointed by Bishop Emmanuel B. Ledvina of Corpus Christi on August 4, 1926 after arriving from Mexico to escape religious persecution.