About St. Anthony of Padua · San Antonio, Texas
St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church is a historic, multi-cultural parish in San Antonio, Texas, located at 102 Lorenz Road in the area once known as Cementville, near the site of the old Alamo Cement Company quarry (today the Alamo Quarry Market). Founded in 1925 by Father Peter Baque to serve the pecan shellers, cement workers, and Mexican-American families of the settlement, the parish has grown into a vibrant, bilingual community in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Its current church building, opened in 1957, was modeled after San Antonio's first church, the Alamo, and the parish is also home to a National Register-listed Stations of the Cross and Lourdes Grotto by sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez, plus a restored 1927 mission-style chapel that now serves as an Adoration Chapel. The parish has been served by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (M.S.C.) since 1969, and today offers Mass in English and Spanish, faith formation for children and adults, outreach to those in need, and a dynamic music ministry.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Fr. Kevin Shanahan, M.S.C.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
St. Anthony de Padua is a bilingual, multi-cultural Catholic family rooted in nearly a century of San Antonio history, where parishioners of every background are welcomed into a community that still takes seriously its founder's charge to 'love one another.' The parish combines traditional devotions — daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration in the restored 1927 chapel, a nine-day novena to St. Anthony, the Guadalupanas, and a relic of St. Anthony himself — with practical outreach through the St. Anthony's Bread Box food pantry, the Knights of Columbus, religious education from Pre-K through 12th grade, Vacation Bible School, sacramental preparation, a dynamic music ministry with English and Spanish choirs, and a parish-wide Festival each fall. It is a place, in the parish's own words, 'to pray, to learn, to celebrate, and to remember.'
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 9:30 AM
- Saturday 3:30 PM (in the Parlor)
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel open Monday–Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Adoration Chapel open Sunday 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Spanish Adoration Hour (monthly, coordinated by Catalina Navarro)
Our Parish History
St. Anthony de Padua Parish was founded in 1925 by Fr. Peter Baque for the working families of Cementville, a settlement built around the Alamo Portland Cement Company plant north of San Antonio. A small wooden chapel was built in 1927 by pecan shellers, cement workers, and neighbors, and the Lourdes Grotto (1933) and fourteen Stations of the Cross (1936) were sculpted by Dionicio Rodriguez. The current Alamo-style church was completed in 1957, and since 1969 the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have administered the parish. The 1927 mission-style chapel was relocated and restored in 2002–2003 to serve as the Adoration Chapel, rededicated December 6, 2003.
- Parish founded 1925 by Fr. Peter Baque for Cementville families
- Original chapel built 1927 by pecan shellers and cement workers
- Lourdes Grotto built 1933; Stations of the Cross built 1936 by Dionicio Rodriguez
- Current Alamo-style church erected 1957 with interfaith community support
- Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (M.S.C.) take over the parish in 1969
- Original 1927 chapel restored and rededicated as Adoration Chapel on December 6, 2003
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education Program at St. Anthony de Padua actively fosters Catholic education and spiritual formation for children of all ages. Classes are held from September through May for students from Pre-Kindergarten (age 4) through 12th grade, coordinated by Sonya Sanchez. The Sacramental Preparation Program, which includes Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, runs throughout the school year with special classes for both children and parents. Vacation Bible School is offered each summer for a week of faith-filled, fun activities for children in Pre-K through 5th grade.
- Faith Formation Pre-K through 12th grade
- Sacramental Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Vacation Bible School (one week each summer)
- Volunteer opportunities as Catechist, on Religious Education Committee, Children's Liturgy Committee, Special Events Committee, or Administrative Assistant
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry is described by the parish as 'dynamic and growing,' drawing parishioners of all ages who enjoy singing to share the gift of song at Sunday Eucharist and at special liturgies and Holy Days. The ministry is led by Jose Castillo and includes cantors, choirs, and instrumentalists serving the parish's bilingual worship life. A separate Spanish-language Adoration Hour brings the Spanish-speaking community together throughout the year to pray before the Blessed Sacrament, coordinated by Catalina Navarro.
- Cantors, Choirs and Instrumentalists (Jose Castillo)
- Spanish Adoration Hour (Catalina Navarro)
- Music for Sunday Eucharist, Holy Days, and special liturgies
Outreach & Social Ministry
Continuing the founding charism of helping 'all people in need in the area,' the parish runs St. Anthony's Bread Box, a group of men and women who maintain a food pantry and help with rent and utility payments or referrals to partner agencies. The Knights of Columbus Council #8738 provides another layer of parish men's service and fellowship. The Guadalupanas sponsor a community breakfast after the four Sunday Masses on the second Sunday of each month.
- St. Anthony's Bread Box food pantry and emergency assistance (Alicia Torres)
- Knights of Columbus Council #8738 (Michael Lecocke)
- Guadalupanas (monthly Sunday breakfast after Masses)
Sacraments
St. Anthony de Padua provides family-oriented preparation programs for Catholics of all ages seeking the sacraments. The seven sacraments — Baptism, Eucharist (First Communion), Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick — are all celebrated through the parish. Marriages are supported by a dedicated Wedding Coordinator who works with couples after their initial preparation. The parish also celebrates Quinceañeras for young women who have already received Baptism and First Eucharist, attend regular Faith Formation, and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation at least a week before the celebration.
- Baptism
- First Eucharist / Confirmation preparation
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Thursdays 9:30 AM and Saturdays 3:30 PM in the Parlor
- Marriage with dedicated Wedding Coordinator
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
- Quinceañera
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Kevin Shanahan, M.S.C., of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, and supported by a full lay staff in operations, administration, communications, finances, liturgy, and facilities.
- Fr. Kevin Shanahan, M.S.C. — Pastor (Ext. 1002)
- Louis Lecocke — Parish Operations Director (Ext. 1030)
- Valerie Arenas — Administrative Assistant (Ext. 1006)
- Belinda Arredondo — Data Specialist / Office Support (Ext. 1006)
- Norma Garcia — Facilities Coordinator (Ext. 1019)
- Teresa Gomez — Receptionist (Ext. 1001)
- Stephanie Guerrero — Communications Coordinator / Vendor Liaison (Ext. 1005)
- Philip Weidner — Parish Finances / Liturgical Director (Ext. 1003)
Council & Governance
The Finance Council is an advisory body of parishioners drawn from various professional backgrounds and age groups. It oversees church revenue and expenditures, analyzes financial trends, approves the annual church budget, develops short- and long-term capital plans, and reports key financial information back to the parish. The council meets monthly with the church's staff accountant.
- Finance Council — advisory on revenue, expenditures, annual budget, and capital planning
Facilities & Hospitality
The parish Banquet Hall is available as a venue for wedding receptions and other special occasions and is coordinated by Maria Castillo. A Church Library and adjacent Library Conference Room offer books, novels, biographies, and general-interest titles and are available for small classes and discussion groups. The restored 1927 chapel, the Lourdes Grotto, and the fourteen Stations of the Cross together form a peaceful outdoor prayer ground.
- Banquet Hall for wedding receptions and special occasions (Maria Castillo)
- Church Library and Library Conference Room
- Restored 1927 Adoration Chapel
- Lourdes Grotto and Stations of the Cross prayer grounds
Getting Involved & Annual Events
St. Anthony de Padua invites parishioners to get involved through catechetical volunteering, music ministry, the Knights of Columbus, the Guadalupanas, St. Anthony's Bread Box, the Finance Council, and the parish Wedding Coordinator ministry. Each fall the parish hosts its annual Parish Festival, traditionally kicked off by a 'Mass on the Grass' outdoors, followed by a rummage sale, bingo, food booths, games, and more — a family-friendly event that draws the wider community to the historic Cementville grounds.
- Volunteer as a Catechist, in Sacramental Preparation, on the Religious Education Committee, Children's Liturgy Committee, Special Events Committee, or as an Administrative Assistant or parking lot attendant
- Annual Parish Festival with 'Mass on the Grass,' rummage sale, bingo, food booths and games
- Parish School of Religion and Vacation Bible School as family entry points
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Peter Baque1925–c. 1969
Spanish Basque priest assigned by Archbishop Drossaerts in 1925 to found the parish for Cementville; built the 1927 chapel, 1928 church, the Lourdes Grotto (1933) and Stations of the Cross (1936); founded the Missionary Servants of St. Anthony; oversaw construction of the 1957 Alamo-style church.
- Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (M.S.C.)1969–present
Religious order that has administered the parish since 1969, succeeding diocesan priest leadership.