About Saint Anthony of Padua · The Woodlands, Texas
St. Anthony of Padua is a Roman Catholic parish in The Woodlands, Texas, founded on June 3, 1997 by Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza to serve the growing Catholic community in South Montgomery County. The parish, part of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, has grown to over 7,500 families and is known for its Stewardship way of life, operating more than 100 active ministries. Its 17.5-acre campus includes a 1,500-seat main church designed by Jackson & Ryan Architects, a separate Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, a Catholic school (PreK3-8th grade), and the St. Anthony's Bread Food Pantry outreach ministry.
- Established
- 1997
- Patron
- Saint Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Jesse Garcia
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua is one of the largest and most active Catholic parishes in The Woodlands, with more than 100 ministries spanning evangelization, faith formation, youth ministry (Life Teen, EDGE, Confirmation for over 750 teens), and outreach such as the St. Vincent de Paul conference and the St. Anthony's Bread Food Pantry. A vibrant Stewardship culture, daily and weekend Masses in English and Spanish, an Adoration Chapel open most days, and a nationally Blue Ribbon–recognized parish school make it a place where families can grow in faith and put their gifts to work. With over 7,500 registered families, newcomers find multiple ways to get involved—from choir and small-group catechesis to charity, fellowship, and Hispanic ministry.
Mass times at Saint Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (English and Español, OLA Chapel)
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (English, OLA Chapel)
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (English and Español, OLA Chapel)
- Saturday 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (English and Español, OLA Chapel)
- First Saturday of each month: Confessions move to the Main Church
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel open to the public: Monday – Friday 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
- Sunday 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Scheduled holy hours available overnight; contact the parish to register
Parish History
St. Anthony of Padua was canonically established on June 3, 1997 by Most Reverend Joseph Fiorenza, then Bishop of Galveston-Houston, in response to the explosive Catholic population growth in South Montgomery County. The parish was tasked not only with forming a worshipping community but also with opening the area's first Catholic elementary school. Under founding pastor Fr. John Vincent Rouse, the new 'Paduans' first gathered at Oak Ridge High School before moving to a 17-acre campus at the corner of Kuykendahl Road and Bay Branch Drive, where the church and Parish Life Building opened in December 2000. Subsequent pastors Msgr. George Sheltz, Msgr. Thomas Rafferty, and Fr. Jesse Garcia shepherded the community through the construction of the school, two major capital campaigns, and a multi-phase Horizon master plan, growing the parish from 300 families to more than 7,500.
- Founded June 3, 1997 by Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza
- Founding pastor: Fr. John Vincent Rouse (1997–1999)
- First Masses at Oak Ridge High School ('St. Oakridge')
- Founders' Fund capital campaign raised $3.8M (1998–2001)
- Phase I (church, Parish Life Building, Fellowship Hall) opened December 2000 at $7.5M
- Continuing the Vision campaign raised $5.2M (2003)
- Phase II (PERC, gymnasium, school permanent home) completed 2005
- Horizon master plan launched under Msgr. Rafferty
Campus and Buildings
The 17.5-acre parish complex in The Woodlands was designed and master-planned by Jackson & Ryan Architects of Houston, with needs assessment and conceptual design beginning before construction. The campus includes the 1,500-seat main church at 7801 Bay Branch Drive, the Parish Life Building with Fellowship Hall, the Parish Education & Resource Center (PERC) housing the school and gymnasium, and a separate 75-seat day chapel—Our Lady of the Angels Chapel—on Kuykendahl Road. The main church's neo-traditional design, with glue-laminated wood beams, a wood ceiling, and a polished concrete floor, was honored with a 2007 Bene Award and 2006 Honorable Mention for art glass from Ministry & Liturgy Visual Arts Awards.
- Architect: Jackson & Ryan Architects, Houston
- Main church: 1,500 seats, neo-traditional style, wood and concrete construction
- OLA Chapel: 75-seat day chapel at 8715 Kuykendahl Rd
- PERC: 73,000 SF, foundation prepared for a future third floor
- Art glass: 2007 Bene Award and 2006 Honorable Mention (Ministry & Liturgy Visual Arts Awards)
- Athletic fields dedicated during National Catholic Schools Week 2007
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School (STAOPCS) opened its doors on August 16, 2001, fulfilling Bishop Fiorenza's founding mandate as the first Catholic elementary school in South Montgomery County. Starting with 138 students in the Parish Life Building and temporary classrooms, the school moved into its permanent home in the new PERC in 2005 and has grown to serve close to 500 students in PreK3 through 8th grade. Under founding principal Renee' Nunez and current principal Veronica Tucker (appointed 2016), the school has earned Texas Catholic Conference Education Department accreditation (2007), AdvancED dual accreditation (2013), and—most prestigiously—United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence recognition in 2012, becoming the first Catholic school in the area to receive that honor.
- Founded August 16, 2001 with 138 students
- Enrollment: close to 500 students, PreK3 – 8th grade
- Founding principal: Renee' Nunez (hired September 2000)
- Current principal: Veronica Tucker (since 2016)
- School mascot: the Dolphin; interior colors evoke ocean blues and greens
- 2012 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- 2013 AdvancED dual accreditation
- 2007 TCCED (Texas Catholic Conference Education Department) accreditation
Clergy and Parish Leadership
St. Anthony of Padua is led by its fourth pastor, Fr. Jesse Garcia, who was installed in September 2021. He is assisted by two parochial vicars, a Legionary of Christ priest, a hospital chaplain, and a diaconate of seven permanent deacons. A leadership team directs administration, building and grounds, evangelization, and the parish school.
- Pastor: Fr. Jesse Garcia (since September 2021)
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. David Hust; Fr. Mathew Thottyil, M.S.F.S.; Fr. Viet Nguyen
- Legionaries: Fr. John Devlin, L.C.
- Hospital Chaplain: Fr. Ronnie Dela Cruz
- Deacons: Franco Knoepffler, Mike Krall, Dominic Madrid, Eduardo Mejia, Ralph Risk, Tom Vicknair, Rick Vogel
- Director of Administration: Barbara Beale
- Director of Building & Grounds: Janine Braun
- Director of Evangelization: Michael Gormley / Kate Mims
- Director of Education / Principal: Veronica Tucker
Formation, Youth & Schools
Faith formation at St. Anthony of Padua spans cradle-to-grave catechesis, with over 1,000 children enrolled in parish Faith Formation and Sacramental programs and over 750 teens active in Life Teen (high school), EDGE (middle school), and Confirmation. The parish school (PreK3 – 8th grade) is a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Adults seeking initiation into the Church are welcomed through the RCIA process.
- Life Teen (high school youth ministry)
- EDGE (middle school youth ministry)
- Confirmation preparation
- Faith Formation / Sacramental prep (over 1,000 children)
- St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School (PreK3 – 8th grade)
- RCIA for adults
Outreach and Charity
Outreach is central to the parish's Stewardship way of life. The St. Vincent de Paul conference (about 50 members) conducts 8–12 home visits a week and distributes $12,000–$13,000 twice monthly for rent, utilities, car payments, furniture, and medicine. St. Anthony's Bread Food Pantry serves 100–120+ families each month at 7985 Bay Branch Drive. The parish commits 10% of regular Sunday offerings to St. Anthony's Bread.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — 281-466-1920
- St. Anthony's Bread Food Pantry — Tue/Thu/Sat 9–11 AM, 7985 Bay Branch Dr
- Parish Guild fellowship and service
- Hospital Chaplaincy ministry
- Global, archdiocesan, and local outreach
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry at St. Anthony of Padua supports a full schedule of weekend and daily Masses across the main church and Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, with adult choirs, youth choirs, Life Teen bands, and cantors. The parish has long-running cantors and choir directors, including Mr. Brown, a high school choir director and cantor at St. Anthony for many years, working alongside the Music Ministry Coordinator.
- Adult choirs and cantors
- Life Teen music at 6 PM Sunday Mass
- Youth choir
- Bilingual liturgical support for English and Spanish Masses
Getting Involved (Stewardship)
Stressing Stewardship as a way of life, St. Anthony of Padua invites parishioners to share their time, talent, and treasure across more than 100 active ministries. The parish welcomes volunteers for youth ministry (Core Team, parent volunteers, catechists), Faith Formation catechists and safety helpers, outreach (food pantry, SVdP), liturgical ministries, and more. All adult volunteers must complete Safe Environment (VIRTUS) training.
- Youth Ministry Core Team (Life Teen, EDGE, Confirmation)
- Faith Formation Catechists and Parent Volunteers
- St. Vincent de Paul and Food Pantry volunteers
- Music, hospitality, and liturgical ministries
- Safe Environment (VIRTUS) training required for all adult volunteers
Locations & Hours
The parish operates from three main locations in The Woodlands/Spring area of South Montgomery County: the Main Church and Parish Office (7801 Bay Branch Drive), the St. Anthony's Bread Food Pantry (7985 Bay Branch Drive), and Our Lady of the Angels Chapel (8715 Kuykendahl Road). Reception hours at the Parish Office are Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Main Church & Parish Office: 7801 Bay Branch Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77382 — (281) 296-2800
- St. Anthony's Bread Food Pantry: 7985 Bay Branch Dr, Spring, TX 77382 — (832) 482-4210
- Our Lady of the Angels Chapel: 8715 Kuykendahl Rd, Spring, TX 77382
- Parish Fax: (281) 296-7238
- St. Vincent de Paul: (281) 466-1920
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Vincent Rouse1997 – 1999
Founding pastor; established parish from the Sandalbranch rectory; celebrated first Masses at Oak Ridge High School ('St. Oakridge') and in parishioners' homes; led first capital campaign (Founders' Fund).
- Rev. George A. SheltzSeptember 1999 – 2007
Second pastor; elevated to Monsignor in 2000 by Pope John Paul II; led completion of Phase I (church, Parish Life Building, Fellowship Hall, opened Dec 2000) and Phase II (PERC, gym, school permanent home 2005); later Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston (2012-2021); died Dec 2021 at age 75.
- Rev. Thomas F. RaffertyJuly 2007 – September 2021
Third pastor; led 'Horizon' master plan; oversaw school Blue Ribbon recognition (2012) and AdvancED accreditation (2013); later Monsignor; previously served at five other Galveston-Houston parishes.
- Rev. Jesse GarciaSeptember 2021 – present
Fourth and current pastor; previously associated with the parish since 2014 according to public profiles.