About San Martin de Porres · San Antonio, Texas
San Martin de Porres Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish located at 1730 Dahlgreen Street on San Antonio's west side in the 78237 ZIP code. Founded in 1964 and entrusted to the Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (the Missionhurst CICM Fathers), it grew from a small mission carved out of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Gabriel parishes into a thriving faith community that marked its 60th anniversary in 2024. The parish serves a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood with a robust schedule of Spanish, English, and bilingual Masses throughout the week.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- Saint Martin de Porres
- Rector
- Rev. Gilbert Obin, CICM
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
San Martin de Porres is a warm, bilingual Catholic family on San Antonio's near west side with deep roots: 60 years of continuous CICM (Missionhurst) missionary witness and a rich devotional life centered on its patron, Saint Martin de Porres. Daily and Sunday Masses are offered in Spanish, English, and bilingual formats so the whole community can worship in its heart language, and the parish is known for its patron-saint devotional chapel, its Salon San Martin hall, and a robust schedule of faith formation, youth programs, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul. For anyone on the west side looking for a parish that proclaims the Gospel in English and Spanish, this is a community where generations have grown up together since 1964.
Mass times at San Martin de Porres
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm (Holy Hour and Confessions following the 7 pm Spanish Mass — note: this schedule was reported by Discover Mass; the parish should be contacted to confirm current times)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 7:30 pm–8:30 pm — Holy Hour following the 7 pm Spanish Mass
Parish Identity & Patron — Saint Martin de Porres
San Martin de Porres Catholic Church is a bilingual Catholic parish on San Antonio's near west side under the patronage of Saint Martin de Porres, the Dominican lay brother from Lima, Peru (1579–1639) who was canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 6, 1962. Affectionately known in his lifetime as 'Fray Escoba' ('Brother Broom') for the humble work he performed, Saint Martin is one of the most beloved saints in the Hispanic Catholic world, and his canonization coincided almost exactly with the founding of this mission community in the early 1960s. The parish celebrates his feast day on November 3 and erected a St. Martin de Porres Devotional Chapel on the parish grounds in honor of its 25th anniversary.
- Patron: Saint Martin de Porres (1579–1639), Dominican lay brother, patron of social justice, mixed-race people, and the poor
- Feast day: November 3
- Canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 6, 1962
History & Founding
The community began as a 'mission' carved out of roughly 60 city blocks separated from Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Gabriel parishes in the early 1960s. Father John Brughmans, then pastor of Good Counsel, took pastoral care of the new mission, which met in an old Army chapel. After four 'experimental' years, the mission was formally established as a parish in its own right on May 13, 1964 and entrusted to the Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Missionhurst CICM Fathers). It was among the first parishes in the United States placed under the protection of the newly canonized Saint Martin de Porres.
- Founded: May 13, 1964
- Originally a mission under Father John Brughmans, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel
- Entrusted to the Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Missionhurst CICM)
- Original worship site: a converted Army chapel
- Anniversaries celebrated: 25th (Devotional Chapel built), 50th (2014, year-long celebration), 60th (2024)
Pastor Succession — CICM Fathers
From its founding, the parish has been shepherded by members of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM, commonly known as the Missionhurst Fathers). The succession of pastors reflects a steady, long-term missionary commitment to San Antonio's west side.
- Father James Meuree, CICM — first pastor (assisted by Roger H. Newton)
- Father Luis Segers, CICM — 1969–1973 (oversaw construction of the present church in 1971)
- Father Baldwin Verhelst, CICM — 1973–1983 (built the CCD classrooms in 1974)
- Father Peter Kelkermans, CICM — 1983–1984
- Father Frank Holscher, CICM — 1984–1989
- Father Gilbert Obin, CICM — 1989–present (long-tenured current pastor/administrator)
- Notable assistant pastors: John van Coppenolle, Louis Segers, William Missinne, William Cuppens, Albert Strome, Joe Giordano (later Provincial of Missionhurst CICM), Pat Creeden
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
The pastoral team is led by Father Gilbert Obin, CICM, who has served as pastor/administrator since 1989. He is assisted by three permanent deacons and an acolyte who serve the liturgical and pastoral life of the parish.
- Pastor/Administrator: Rev. Gilbert Obin, CICM
- Deacon Joe Menchaca — ordained late 1979, longtime 'Arch Deacon' of the parish
- Deacon Tony Patlan
- Deacon Benito Resendiz
- Acolyte Lupe Reginio
Buildings & Campus
The parish plant has grown steadily across six decades. The original Army chapel ('the Old Church') gave way to the present church building in 1971 under Father Segers and Father Missinne. The CCD classrooms replaced the remaining barracks and the old San Joaquin CCD center in 1974 under Father Baldwin Verhelst. A St. Martin de Porres Devotional Chapel was built for the parish's 25th anniversary, Salon San Martin was opened in 1999, and the church building plus its small breakfast hall were renovated and enlarged between 2000 and 2003.
- 1971: Present church building constructed (Fr. Segers & Fr. Missinne)
- 1974: CCD center/classrooms built (Fr. Baldwin Verhelst)
- 25th anniversary: St. Martin de Porres Devotional Chapel erected
- 1999: Salon San Martin opened
- 2000–2003: Church building and breakfast hall renovated and expanded
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a CCD / Religious Education program that has prepared generations of children and youth for the sacraments of initiation. Over the years, religious sisters — including the MCDP Sisters of St. Andrew's Convent, the Cordi-Marian Sisters, the Missionhurst (ICM) Sisters, and Sister Joan (DRE, 1987–1988) — have supported faith formation at San Martin de Porres.
- CCD / Religious Education program
- First Reconciliation preparation
- First Holy Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Sacramental preparation for children with special needs
Ministries & Organizations
San Martin de Porres is sustained by an active lay community that participates in liturgical, charitable, and devotional ministries. The parish is home to a St. Vincent de Paul conference that serves neighbors in need, and a full complement of liturgical ministries supports the celebration of Mass.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (charitable outreach)
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Ushers
- Choir / Music Ministry
- Eucharistic Adoration / Holy Hour
- Youth Ministry
Visit, Location & Contact
San Martin de Porres is located at 1730 Dahlgreen Street on San Antonio's west side in ZIP code 78237. From TX-151 / Cleto Rodriguez Freeway, take the U.S. 90 Access Road exit toward SW 36th Street, head north on Castroville Road, then east to Dahlgreen, and turn right (south); the church is immediately on the left. The parish office can be reached by phone at (210) 432-5203. The parish's primary online presence is its official Facebook page.
- Address: 1730 Dahlgreen Street, San Antonio, TX 78237
- Phone: (210) 432-5203
- Driving directions: TX-151 / Cleto Rodriguez Freeway → U.S. 90 Access Rd → SW 36th Street → Castroville Rd → Dahlgreen
- Official online presence: facebook.com/SanMartinDePorresCatholicChurch
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Meuree, CICM1964–1969
First pastor of San Martin de Porres; assisted by Roger H. Newton.
- Father Luis Segers, CICM1969–1973
Oversaw construction of the present church building in 1971 with Father Missinne.
- Father Baldwin Verhelst, CICM1973–1983
Built the CCD classrooms and replaced the remaining barracks and old San Joaquin CCD center in 1974.
- Father Peter Kelkermans, CICM1983–1984
Short-term pastor.
- Father Frank Holscher, CICM1984–1989
- Father Gilbert Obin, CICM1989–present
Long-tenured current pastor/administrator, listed as pastor from 1989 through at least the parish's 60th anniversary in 2024.