About San Martin de Porres · Laredo, Texas
San Martin de Porres Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in north Laredo, Texas, belonging to the Diocese of Laredo. The parish was born from the decommissioned Laredo Air Force Base chapel — affectionately known as the 'Red Barn' — which was purchased by the Diocese of Corpus Christi in 1975 and renamed San Martin de Porres Mission before being formally established as a parish on December 15, 1979. Today it serves over 1,300 registered families through a full range of ministries including Life Teen, St. Vincent de Paul, religious education (CCD), and a parish center/gym run by Brother Philip Degagne, FMS. It is currently pastored by Rev. Msgr. Alejandro Salazar with Parochial Vicar Fr. Pedro Mercado, Jr., and four permanent deacons.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- San Martin de Porres (St. Martin de Porres)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Alejandro Salazar
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Laredo
Why belong here
San Martin de Porres is a bilingual, family-oriented parish with deep roots in north Laredo that has grown from 50 founding families in 1975 to more than 1,300 today. Members are nourished by daily Mass, a vigorous sacramental life (with baptism classes, two-year Confirmation preparation, and a special-needs track), and ministries that range from Life Teen and Christ Crew youth ministry to the long-running St. Vincent de Paul Society — which distributes around 800 Christmas gifts a year to children in the colonias. The parish also operates a full Parish Center with basketball, racquetball, volleyball, and exercise programs under Bro. Philip Degagne, FMS, making it as much a community hub as a worship site.
Mass times at San Martin de Porres
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 noon
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
History of San Martin de Porres Parish
San Martin de Porres traces its roots to the chapel of the former Laredo Air Force Base, which the federal government deactivated in September 1973. In 1975 Bishop Thomas J. Drury of the Diocese of Corpus Christi purchased 2.75 acres — including a chapel built in 1954 and a 1967 religious education building — from the U.S. General Services Administration for $124,000, despite strong local clergy opposition. Bishop Drury originally intended to call the new project parish St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, but Msgr. Thomas P. McGettrick of San Luis Rey Parish argued the name would not resonate locally and proposed San Martin de Porres instead; the Bishop agreed, and in November 1975 the chapel was blessed and renamed San Martin de Porres Mission. The mission was placed under San Luis Rey Parish and was staffed by Msgr. McGettrick and Fr. Bernardino Herrero, with $15,000 of repair funding from Msgr. McGettrick. In September 1976 Fr. Morgan Rowsome was assigned to build it up; he was named priest-in-charge on September 25, 1977, and on December 15, 1979 — under Bishop Drury — the mission was elevated to a full parish, with Fr. Morgan as its founding pastor. He shepherded the community for 12 years, growing it from 50 families to about 400, before Fr. Domingo de Llano took over and later Fr. Alejandro Salazar, now Monsignor, who continues as pastor today.
- 1973 — Laredo Air Force Base deactivated
- 1975 — Diocese purchases chapel and 2.75 acres for $124,000; Bishop Drury blesses San Martin de Porres Mission
- September 25, 1977 — Fr. Morgan Rowsome named priest-in-charge
- December 15, 1979 — Mission elevated to a parish; Fr. Morgan becomes founding pastor
- 1982 — St. Vincent de Paul Society founded
- 1985–1987 — Parishioners acquire northern half of Block 16; major remodel funded with $540,000 from the diocese
- September 2, 1987 — Bro. Philip Degagne, FMS, hired as Parish Center/Gym Director
- 1990s — Christ Crew Youth Ministry founded under Fr. Domingo de Llano and Msgr. Alex Salazar
- July 3, 2000 — Diocese of Laredo is erected; San Martin de Porres becomes part of it
- Today — Over 1,300 registered families
Faith Formation and Religious Education (CCD)
The parish operates a robust Faith Formation (CCD) program for children from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade who are not yet in sacramental preparation or have already received First Eucharist. Confirmation preparation follows the Diocese of Laredo's two-year policy, beginning at age 14 and culminating at 16; older candidates prepare through the RCIA process. The parish also offers a two-year sacramental preparation track for children with special needs, including those with developmental disabilities or deafness.
- CCD / Faith Formation — Pre-K through 8th grade
- Confirmation preparation — 2 years (begins at 14, received at 16)
- RCIA for adults seeking Confirmation
- Special Needs sacramental preparation (2 years for First Reconciliation/Eucharist and Confirmation)
- Office Coordinator: Christopher Martinez, (956) 725-2440, [email protected]
Youth Ministry — Life Teen and Christ Crew
San Martin runs two complementary youth programs. Life Teen is the international, Eucharist-centered Catholic youth movement; the parish's Life Teen group meets every Sunday during the academic year from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in the Family Life Center, beginning with the 12:30 PM Mass. The Christ Crew Youth Ministry was founded in the 1990s under Fr. Domingo de Llano and Msgr. Alex Salazar and continues to grow, promoting a life with Christ for the youth of the parish and surrounding community. The parish also ran a Summer Youth Program that began in 1987. Youth Ministry contact: Isidro Avila, (956) 251-2047.
- Life Teen — Sundays 2:00–4:00 PM, Family Life Center, after 12:30 PM Mass
- Christ Crew Youth Ministry (founded 1990s)
- Summer Youth Program (founded 1987)
- Facebook: facebook.com/SanMartinChristCrew/
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent de Paul Society was started at San Martin de Porres in 1981 (formally founded October 1982) and has been continuously active for over four decades. Since 1982 it has been led by Mr. Conrado Montemayor and his wife. Members visit the sick at home and bring them Holy Communion, and each Christmas they set up a giving tree in the parish foyer ornamented with the gender and age of children in need; parishioners donate an average of about 800 gifts each year for children in the colonias. The society also helps families within parish boundaries with utility assistance throughout the year.
- Founded 1981–1982
- Home visits and Eucharist ministry to the sick
- Annual Christmas giving tree — ~800 gifts per year for colonia children
- Utility assistance for parish families in need
- Led by Mr. Conrado Montemayor and his wife since 1982
Parish Center, Gym and Athletics
San Martin operates a full Parish Center and gym that has been a defining feature of the parish since the mid-1980s. Parishioners acquired the northern half of Block 16 — with its gymnasium and athletic facilities — between October 1985 and May 1987 specifically to better serve the parish's youth and provide room for future growth. Brother Philip Degagne, FMS, was hired as full-time Director of the Parish Center on September 2, 1987, and immediately organized basketball, racquetball, volleyball, weight-loss, and aerobic exercise classes. He continues to serve in that role today.
- Parish Center / Gym — northern half of Block 16
- Director: Bro. Philip Degagne, FMS, (956) 725-8622 (since September 1987)
- Programs: basketball, racquetball, volleyball, weight-loss, aerobic exercise
Clergy, Staff and Parish Office
The parish is pastored by Rev. Msgr. Alejandro Salazar with Parochial Vicar Fr. Pedro Mercado, Jr., and is assisted by four permanent deacons: Frank Idrogo, Henry Mejia, Luis Eduardo Raines, and Gabriel Vargas. Bro. Philip Degagne, FMS directs the Parish Center and gym. Office staff includes Administrative Assistant (Secretary) Yvonne P. Andrade, Business Manager Idalia, and Office Assistant Isidro Avila, Jr. CCD/Religious Education is coordinated by Christopher Martinez. Parish office hours and CCD hours are Monday through Wednesday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–5:00 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Alejandro Salazar
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Pedro Mercado, Jr.
- Deacons: Frank Idrogo, Henry Mejia, Luis Eduardo Raines, Gabriel Vargas
- Parish Center Director: Bro. Philip Degagne, FMS — (956) 725-8622
- Administrative Assistant: Yvonne P. Andrade
- Business Manager: Idalia
- Office Assistant: Isidro Avila, Jr.
- CCD Coordinator: Christopher Martinez — (956) 725-2440
- Phone: (956) 723-5215; Fax: (956) 723-9443
Sacraments at San Martin de Porres
San Martin offers the full range of parish sacraments. Baptisms are celebrated on the second Sunday of each month after the 12:30 PM Mass, and parents must complete a two-part in-person baptism class on the first and second Thursdays of the month (sign-up via the Church by MinistryOne app). First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, as well as Confirmation, follow the Diocese of Laredo's two-year preparation policy; a separate two-year sacramental preparation track is offered for children with special needs. The Ministry to the Sick brings the sacraments to the homebound at any time upon request. Couples should contact the parish office well in advance to begin marriage preparation.
- Baptism — 2nd Sunday of the month after 12:30 PM Mass
- Baptism class — 1st and 2nd Thursdays of the month, two parts, sign-up via Church by MinistryOne app
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist
- Confirmation — 2-year preparation beginning at age 14
- RCIA for adult Confirmation
- Special Needs sacramental preparation
- Marriage preparation (contact parish office)
- Ministry to the Sick / Anointing — at any time upon request
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Morgan Rowsome1977–c.1991 (12 years as pastor; founded as mission 1975, named priest-in-charge Sept. 25, 1977, became founding pastor Dec. 15, 1979)
First priest-in-charge and founding pastor; led the growth from 50 families to roughly 400. Set the spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, and physical development of the parish.
- Fr. Domingo de LlanoAfter Fr. Morgan (and continuing in some capacity through the 1990s)
Second pastor; added classrooms, administrative office, expanded parking, carillon bells, Calvary and Resurrection Murals, roof replacements; launched the Christ Crew Youth Ministry in the 1990s. Later named Vicar of the Western Vicariate.
- Monsignor Thomas DavisSucceeded Fr. Domingo de Llano when Fr. de Llano retired for health reasons
Succeeded Fr. de Llano as pastor; also took over as Vicar of the Western Vicariate.
- Rev. Msgr. Alejandro SalazarCurrent
Current pastor; previously Chancellor of the Diocese of Corpus Christi under Bishop Roberto O. Gonzalez, OFM.