About San Francesco di Paola (Historic Mission) · San Antonio, Texas
San Francesco di Paola — long known simply as San Antonio's 'Italian Church' — is a small Romanesque Catholic mission in downtown San Antonio founded by Calabrian immigrants who arrived in 1890 and dedicated their worship space in 1927. Listed as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, the red-brick church at 205 Piazza Italia still serves the Italian-American community and welcomes anyone drawn to its old-world beauty, while remaining an active mission of San Fernando Cathedral under the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
- Established
- 1927
- Patron
- San Francesco di Paola (St. Francis of Paola), patron saint of Calabria
- Rector
- Very Reverend Carlos B. Velázquez
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
San Francesco di Paola offers something rare in San Antonio: a 1927 Romanesque landmark where descendants of Calabrian immigrants still gather to worship, and where any visitor is welcome to join the Sunday Mass and the parish's treasured traditions — the annual Procession of the Statue of San Francesco di Paola, legendary spaghetti dinners, and a calendar of weddings, baptisms and funerals rooted in Italian Catholic heritage. As a mission of San Fernando Cathedral under the Archdiocese of San Antonio, it pairs an intimate historic worship space with active lay ministries (Music, Lay Ministry, Sick and Homebound, Altar and Rosary Society, San Francescani Society), plus a beautiful private bridal room and free adjacent parking.
Mass times at San Francesco di Paola (Historic Mission)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:45 PM – 5:15 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- Sunday 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM (before 11:00 AM Mass)
History of San Francesco di Paola
Founded by Calabrian immigrants who arrived in 1890, the parish was catalyzed by an Italian-language mission preached by Rev. Saverio Vecchio at San Fernando Cathedral in March 1926. The community built the church in roughly a year, and Archbishop Arthur Drossaerts dedicated it on May 1, 1927 — the 'Italian Church' was born.
- 1890 — Calabrian families arrive in San Antonio
- March 1926 — Rev. Saverio Vecchio preaches mission at San Fernando Cathedral
- May 1, 1927 — Archbishop Drossaerts dedicates the new Romanesque church
- Fr. Saverio Vecchio serves as first pastor
- Later shepherded by the Franciscan Order and the Claretian Fathers (placed under Claretians by Archbishop Lucey)
- WWII era — site of weekly novenas
- Nearly 25 years of deaf community ministry under the Franciscans
- 75th, 80th, 85th and 90th anniversaries drew hundreds of original families back
- 2022 — reverts to direct Archdiocese of San Antonio care; assigned as a mission of San Fernando Cathedral by Archbishop Garcia-Siller
Why San Francesco di Paola?
The patron saint was a unanimous choice of the founders. St. Francis of Paola was born in 1416 in Paola, in the southern Italian province of Cosenza, Calabria. He led a life of profound prayer, mortification and humility, founded the Minim friars, and was known for miracles, prophecy, and defending the poor and oppressed.
- Patron of Calabria — the home region of the founders
- Founded the Minim friars
- Known for miracles, prophecy and advocacy for the poor
- Feast day: April 2
Pastor — Very Reverend Carlos B. Velázquez
Fr. Carlos B. Velázquez was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Antonio H. and Maria Josefina Velázquez, the eldest of four children. Raised in San Antonio, he attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School and St. Mary's Parochial School, spent his high school years at St. Anthony High School Seminary, and earned a Master of Divinity from Oblate School of Theology. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Antonio on June 8, 1990 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He officially took his new position as pastor of San Francesco di Paola on July 1, 2021.
- Born in Chicago; raised in San Antonio
- Educated at Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Mary's, St. Anthony Seminary, and Oblate School of Theology (M.Div.)
- Ordained June 8, 1990 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- First assignment: Catholic Communities of Gonzales and Waelder (parochial vicar)
- Served at St. Mary Magdalen as parochial vicar
- 30 years across the Archdiocese as Director of the Office of Vocations and pastor of St. John Berchmans, Church of the Holy Spirit, and Sts. Peter and Paul (New Braunfels)
- Took office at San Francesco di Paola July 1, 2021
- Member: National Pastoral Musicians, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Union of Texas, Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Sacraments and Pastoral Services
The parish office coordinates weddings, baptisms, quinceañeras and funerals, and can arrange a 5:30 PM Saturday wedding Mass. Couples preparing for marriage have access to a private bridal room at the back of the church for dressing, gathering and photography.
- Weddings — flexible scheduling including Saturday 5:30 PM Mass
- Baptisms — by appointment
- Quinceañeras — by appointment
- Funerals — by appointment
- Confession — Saturday 4:45–5:15 PM; Sunday 10:00–10:45 AM (third-party directories)
- Contact: (210) 227-0548 or [email protected]
Parish Ministries and Societies
San Francesco di Paola's lay ministries and societies are the backbone of its community life — a tradition carried forward from the founders' era by the Altar and Rosary Society, the San Francescani Society, and the historical Children of Mary. Today the active ministries serve worship, fellowship, pastoral care, finances and the parish plant.
- Music Ministry
- Lay Ministry
- Sick and Homebound Ministry
- Altar and Rosary Society
- San Francescani Society
- Finance Council
- Building Committee
- Children of Mary (historical lay society)
- Deaf Community Ministry (historical, ran for nearly 25 years)
Amenities and Facilities
The 1927 Romanesque landmark offers intimate spaces for weddings and community events, plus adjacent free parking. The Christopher Columbus Italian Society's Columbus Hall, next door, can be rented for receptions in the renovated Renaissance Room and Venice Room.
- Private bridal room at the back of the church (for dressing, gathering and photos)
- Columbus Hall next door — Renaissance Room and Venice Room available for receptions
- Adjacent free parking for church and social events
- Rental inquiries: [email protected] or 210-223-8284
Church Office and Contact
Office hours are 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Monday through Friday. Inquiries about weddings, baptisms, quinceañeras and funerals are handled directly through the parish office.
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Phone: (210) 227-0548
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 205 Piazza Italia, San Antonio, TX 78207
Living Traditions
The founders' traditions are not museum pieces — they continue every year. The annual Procession of the Statue of San Francesco di Paola brings the community into the streets of downtown San Antonio, and the legendary spaghetti dinners (along with weekly collections and generous donors) continue to support the parish that the original immigrants gave selflessly to build.
- Annual Procession of the Statue of San Francesco di Paola
- Legendary spaghetti dinners supporting parish operations
- Weddings, baptisms and funerals of the Italian-American community
- Continued legacy of lay societies (Altar and Rosary, San Francescani)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Saverio Vecchio1927 (first pastor)
Preached the March 1926 mission at San Fernando Cathedral that catalyzed the building of the church; became the church's founding pastor when it was dedicated May 1, 1927.
- Very Reverend Carlos B. Velázquez2021–present
Took office July 1, 2021 as pastor; previously served as Director of the Office of Vocations and as pastor of St. John Berchmans, the Church of the Holy Spirit, and Sts. Peter and Paul in New Braunfels. Ordained June 8, 1990.