About Queen of Peace · La Marque, Texas
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 1200 Cedar Drive in La Marque, Texas, in the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston. Founded in August 1951 when a former mission became a full-fledged parish with its own full-time pastor, the parish traces its roots to the 1870s and an 1881 chapel that was destroyed in the 1900 Storm. Today it is a bilingual (English and Spanish) parish recognized nationally by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as one of approximately 800 historically and predominantly African-American Catholic churches in the United States. Queen of Peace is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026 and recently unveiled a marble statue of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- Our Lady, Queen of Peace (Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Queen of Peace)
- Rector
- Monsignor James B. Anderson, S.Th.D., V.F.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston
Why belong here
Queen of Peace is an unusually welcoming bilingual parish in a historic African-American Catholic community recognized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, offering weekend Mass in English and Spanish, weekday Masses, daily rosary, Friday Eucharistic adoration with Benediction, a Healing Mass on the first Wednesday, and a strong devotional life (St. Anthony Novena). The parish has active lay ministries — Faith Formation for children and youth, the Knights of Columbus council hosting luncheons and senior outreach, a Youth Ministry, and Safe Environment/Child Protection programming — and it actively cultivates vocations and supports Catholic seminarians, priests, and sisters. For anyone seeking an established, multi-generational, community-oriented parish in the Galveston County area, Queen of Peace combines historic roots with vibrant contemporary ministry.
Mass times at Queen of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Saturday: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, with Benediction beginning at 6:30 PM (La bendición comienza a las 6:30 p.m.)
Parish Overview & Identity
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in La Marque, Texas, in the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston. Founded as a full-fledged parish in August 1951 from a Catholic mission community dating to the 1870s, the parish is bilingual (English and Spanish) and serves the La Marque area of Galveston County. It is listed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as one of approximately 800 historically and predominantly African-American Catholic parishes in the United States. The parish is presently celebrating its 75th anniversary year and is led by Monsignor James B. Anderson, S.Th.D., V.F.
- Type: Roman Catholic Parish (Latin Rite)
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston
- Year established as parish: 1951
- Mission roots: 1870s (chapel built 1881, destroyed in 1900 Storm)
- 75th Anniversary: 2026
- Pastor: Monsignor James B. Anderson, S.Th.D., V.F.
History
Catholic families began settling in the La Marque area in the 1870s, gathering for Mass celebrated by visiting Galveston priests in private homes. In 1881 the community built a small chapel; that chapel was destroyed in the catastrophic 1900 Storm. The faithful rebuilt and persisted, and in August 1951 the mission was elevated to a parish with its first resident pastor, Monsignor Frank A. Lagana. He guided Queen of Peace for 32 years until his 1983 retirement and was honored with the title of Monsignor by the Vatican in 1965. He died in 2003, with his Vigil at Queen of Peace and his funeral Mass offered by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza. The parish nurtured many vocations — Bishop Brendan Cahill served Queen of Peace as a seminarian — and continued to expand its facilities, services, and bilingual ministry over the decades.
- 1870s — Catholic settlers in La Marque; visiting priests celebrate Mass in homes
- 1881 — Small mission chapel built
- 1900 — Mission chapel destroyed in the 1900 Galveston Storm
- August 1951 — Mission becomes a parish; Monsignor Frank A. Lagana named first resident pastor
- December 10, 1965 — Lagana named Domestic Prelate (Monsignor)
- 1983 — Monsignor Lagana retires after 32 years
- October 20, 2003 — Monsignor Lagana dies, age 90
- August 2015 — 64th anniversary celebrated; 10 former pastors and 1 bishop attend
- May 8, 2026 — Marble statue of Pope Leo XIV unveiled and blessed during 75th anniversary year
- August 22, 2026 — 75th anniversary celebration
Clergy & Pastoral Staff
The parish is led by Monsignor James B. Anderson, S.Th.D., V.F., and is served by an active team of parochial vicars (from the Missionaries of St. Thomas — MST — congregation), permanent deacons, and lay staff in faith formation, youth ministry, finance, and maintenance.
- Pastor — Monsignor James B. Anderson, S.Th.D., V.F.
- Rev. Sebastian Earthedath, MST — Pastor (listed in bulletin roster)
- Rev. Joseph Kalarickal, MST — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Saji James, MST — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Deacon Eusebio 'Papo' Torres
- Rev. Deacon Felix Montañez
- Blanca Colon — Parish Manager
- Debbie Brosseau — Youth Ministry
- Debbie & Mark Clark — Faith Formation
- Randi Hodgson — Finance
- Hosvanni Marquez — Maintenance
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith formation for children and youth at Queen of Peace is led by Debbie & Mark Clark (Faith Formation) and Debbie Brosseau (Youth Ministry). The parish offers a Parish School of Religion with registration each year, sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation, and ongoing youth ministry. Safe Environment / child and youth protection training is required for all adult volunteers working with minors.
- Religious Education Registration (annual)
- First Eucharist / First Communion prep
- Confirmation prep
- Youth Ministry (high school / middle school)
- Safe Environment training (English & Spanish — 'Espacios Seguros')
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Beyond the sacramental and devotional life, Queen of Peace runs several lay organizations and community outreach efforts — most prominently the Knights of Columbus, which hosts parish luncheons and fundraisers, and a Senior Resource Fair serving older parishioners and neighbors.
- Knights of Columbus Council — hosts luncheons (e.g., Chicken Parmesan fundraiser, $10 pre-order / $12 at the door)
- Senior Resource Fair — community outreach day
- Parish luncheons and social fellowship after Mass
- Vocation support — dinners and fundraising for seminarians, priests, and sisters
Sacraments
Queen of Peace celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments and offers preparation programs for each. Infant baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, and RCIA / adult initiation are available; the Parish Office (409-938-7000) handles inquiries and registration.
- Baptism (infant)
- Eucharist (First Communion, daily and Sunday Mass)
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation — Wednesday evenings, Saturday mornings, by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — on request and at Healing Mass
- Matrimony — preparation required; contact Parish Office
- Holy Orders — parish actively fosters vocations (seminarian dinners, support of priests and sisters)
Visit, Address & Contact
Queen of Peace welcomes visitors, pilgrims, and those interested in a historically African-American Catholic parish recognized by the USCCB. The parish is centrally located in La Marque, just off I-45 in Galveston County, with ample free parking. Those interested can stop in during office hours, call, or email to learn more about registration, sacraments, or ministries.
- Address — 1200 Cedar Drive, La Marque, TX 77568-3932
- Phone — (409) 938-7000
- Email — [email protected]
- Website — http://www.queenofpeacelamarque.org/
- Office Hours — Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM; Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM (lunch 12:00–12:30 PM)
- Newsletter / Bulletin — printable bulletin on parish website
- Online Giving / Tithe — available on parish website
75th Anniversary & Pope Leo XIV Statue
The parish's 75th anniversary year in 2026 has been marked by special events, including the May 8, 2026 dedication and blessing of a white marble statue of Pope Leo XIV (the first American pope in Catholic history, born Robert Francis Prevost). The statue, donated by former Texas City Mayor Charles 'Chuck' Doyle and Mary Ellen Doyle, was blessed by Monsignor James B. Anderson and attended by Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston–Houston and local civic leaders, sheltered under tarps from the rain. The statue's plaque identifies Pope Leo XIV by his birth name and notes his May 8, 2025 election. The anniversary celebration continues through August 22, 2026.
- 75th Anniversary Year — 2026
- May 8, 2026 — Dedication & Blessing Ceremony of the Pope Leo XIV statue (11:00 AM, with reception)
- Donors — Charles 'Chuck' Doyle and Mary Ellen Doyle (former Texas City mayor couple)
- Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston–Houston attended the blessing
- Plaque identifies Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost), elected May 8, 2025
- August 22, 2026 — Anniversary celebration
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Frank A. Lagana1951–1983 (founding pastor; died October 20, 2003)
Founding pastor of the parish when it became a full-fledged parish in August 1951, having served 1939–1951 as assistant at Shrine of the True Cross, Dickinson. Created Domestic Prelate (Monsignor) on December 10, 1965. Retired in 1983 after 32 years. Funeral Mass offered by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza at Shrine of the True Cross; Vigil held at Queen of Peace.
- Rev. Chacko PuthumayilPastor during 2015 (64th anniversary); appears in parish directories as Pastor in some records
Presided over the 64th anniversary celebrations and over bilingual (English/Spanish) Mass schedule. Described as welcoming young families while maintaining core congregation. Succeeded Msgr. Lagana's long tenure and preceded the MST (Missionaries of St. Thomas) team.
- Rev. Sebastian Earthedath, MSTListed as Pastor in parish bulletin pastoral staff roster (c. 2020s)
Missionary of St. Thomas (MST) congregation. Listed alongside parochial vicars Joseph Kalarickal, MST, and Saji James, MST, and Deacons Eusebio 'Papo' Torres and Felix Montañez.
- Rev. Joseph Kalarickal, MSTParochial Vicar (c. 2020s)
Missionary of St. Thomas (MST); served as Parochial Vicar.
- Rev. Saji James, MSTParochial Vicar (c. 2020s)
Missionary of St. Thomas (MST); served as Parochial Vicar.
- Monsignor James B. Anderson, S.Th.D., V.F.Current Pastor (as of 2026)
S.Th.D., V.F. (Vicar Forane). Led the May 8, 2026 dedication and blessing of the Pope Leo XIV marble statue and is leading the parish's 75th anniversary year celebrations in 2026.