Saint Pius X

Parish History

St. Pius X was founded on March 20, 1955, and named by Bishop Metzger after St. Pius X — the pope who had established the Diocese of El Paso in 1914. Msgr. Lawrence E. Gaynor was the first pastor; the Sisters of Divine Providence opened the parish school the same year, and Bishop Metzger dedicated it on November 16, 1955. Mass was originally celebrated in the school gym. The present 1,000-seat church was dedicated on June 26, 1993, and the campus grew to include a community center, ministry center, bookstore, plaza, food pantry, and three parking lots. In 2001 Paulist Press named St. Pius X to its Top Ten List of excellent U.S. parishes, and in July 2023 Bishop Mark J. Seitz assigned Rev. Miguel Angel Sanchez as current pastor.

• Founded March 20, 1955
• Original parish-and-school cost: $350,000 in 1954
• School dedicated November 16, 1955 by Bishop Metzger
• Present church dedicated June 26, 1993 (capacity 1,000)
• Pastors: Msgr. Lawrence E. Gaynor, Msgr. Thomas Rowland, Msgr. Leone, Msgr. Stefan, Msgr. Francis Smith, Msgr. Arturo Bañuelas, Rev. Wilson Cuevas, Rev. Beto Lopez, Rev. Miguel Angel Sanchez

Mission Statement

The parish describes itself as "St. Pius/Somos San Pio, A Community With A Mission / Una comunidad con misión." The official mission statement reads: "As a communion of baptized ministers, we are called to the mission of Jesus Christ to foster the reign of God by proclaiming the Good News, celebrating the saving acts of God in liturgy, and serving the needs of our brothers and sisters, especially the poorest." The Parish Ministry Council's theme — "Communion and Mission" — frames parish life around Word, Worship, Service, and Stewardship.

Word — Faith Formation & Evangelization

Parish ministries grouped under "Word" proclaim the Good News and form disciples. Women of Faith meets Wednesday evenings for Bible study, faith-sharing, scripture study, and worship. The Spanish counterpart, Mujeres de Fe, gathers women who have lived their ACTS retreat for prayer, praise, and themed talks. Men Spirituality and That Man is You provide men's formation. Nazareth / Jovenes de Nazareth and the Evangelization groups form youth and young adults in social-justice mission. ACTS-Core coordinates ACTS Retreats, and Baptismal Preparation offers English and Spanish classes for parents and godparents of children under seven.

• Women of Faith, Mujeres de Fe
• Men Spirituality, That Man is You
• Evangelization (English and Spanish)
• Nazareth / Jovenes de Nazareth
• ACTS-Core retreats
• Baptismal Preparation
• Faith Formation (Religious Education)
• Marriage Preparation
• Life Teen, Young Adults
• XV'ras (Quinceañera), Mujeres bajo el Manto de Maria, Mejor Mujer

Worship — Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical ministries at St. Pius X include English and Spanish lectors (Lectores) and Spanish Ministers of Communion (Ministros de Comunión), along with the distinctive Danza San Pio X – Matachines, a folk dance ministry that prays the rosary while dancing in honor of Our Lady. The Church Sanctuary page emphasizes the assembly gathered around the altar, with a separate Blessed Sacrament reservation chapel adjoining the worship space to support adoration and quiet prayer.

• Lectors — English and Spanish
• Ministros de Comunión — Spanish
• Danza San Pio X – Matachines
• Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Service — Outreach & Charity

Service ministries embody the parish's "preference for the struggling poorest." San Martin de Porres runs the food pantry, distributes Thanksgiving turkeys and fixings to the needy, and operates a hotline for utility-bill assistance. RICO (Refugio Infantil Comunitario) gives pastoral care to immigrant children and adults in deportation proceedings; a companion Immigration Ministry connects parishioners with legal resources. The Homebound ministry brings Communion to the sick and homebound. A Special Needs Ministry serves parishioners with disabilities through prayer, social activities, folklorico, art, and life-skills classes, and Bereavement – Healing After Loss walks with those experiencing grief. The Knights of Columbus and Lady Knights provide fraternal service, philanthropy, and pro-life witness.

• San Martin de Porres (food pantry and utility-bill hotline)
• RICO – Refugio Infantil Comunitario
• Immigration Ministry
• Colonia Ministry
• Homebound (Communion visits)
• Special Needs Ministry
• Bereavement – Healing After Loss
• Knights of Columbus, Lady Knights
• ESPERE

St. Pius X School

St. Pius X Catholic School was started by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1955 and dedicated by Bishop Metzger on November 16, 1955. It grew alongside the parish community to a peak enrollment of 712 students. Today the school is the only classical Catholic school in El Paso, teaching the Arts of classical education and serving as a partner member of the Classical Latin School Association. The school website is elpasostpiusx.org; the Religious Formation Office is located at 1550 North Clark, El Paso, TX 79905 (915-772-3226 ext. 5).

• Founded 1955 by the Sisters of Divine Providence
• Dedicated November 16, 1955 by Bishop Metzger
• Largest enrollment: 712 students
• Only classical Catholic school in El Paso
• Partner member, Classical Latin School Association

Stewardship & Parish Governance

The Stewardship section gathers the structures that keep the parish running. The Finance Committee stewards the parish's financial resources with integrity and transparency; the Buildings and Grounds Committee cares for the campus; the Stewardship Committee cultivates a culture of generosity; the Parish Corporate Board provides governance; and Safe Environment ensures the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Religious Formation is also housed under this umbrella.

• Finance Committee
• Buildings and Grounds Committee
• Stewardship Committee
• Parish Corporate Board
• Safe Environment
• Religious Formation

Clergy, Staff & Facilities

The parish is led by Rev. Miguel Angel Sanchez, assigned in July 2023 by Bishop Mark J. Seitz, and is assisted by a parochial associate and a deacon (names not listed on the public site). Office staff include an Office Manager and Secretary. Maintenance is provided by a custodian and a housekeeper. The campus includes the 1,000-seat church, a separate Blessed Sacrament chapel, community center, ministry center, bookstore, plaza, food pantry, and three parking lots — supporting worship, formation, and charity under one roof.

• Pastor: Rev. Miguel Angel Sanchez
• Parochial Associate, Deacon
• Office Manager, Secretary
• Custodian, Housekeeper

Visit, Connect & Sacraments

Visitors are warmly welcomed to the bilingual liturgies; the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass is interpreted in American Sign Language. Reconciliation is offered Saturdays at 4:00 PM. Pastoral staff are happy to help with Baptisms (with required preparation classes), Marriage preparation, Quinceañera (XV'ras), Anointing of the Sick and homebound Communion, and inquiries about the Faith Formation program. The parish can be reached at 915-772-3226 or through the contact form on stpiusxelpaso.org.

• Address: 1050 North Clark Drive, El Paso, TX 79905
• Phone: 915-772-3226
• Religious Formation Office: 1550 North Clark, 915-772-3226 ext. 5