About St. Anthony · Wylie, Texas
Saint Anthony Catholic Church is a bilingual English/Spanish parish in Wylie, Texas, part of the Diocese of Dallas. The parish traces its roots to the pioneering St. Paul Catholic Church established about four miles from Wylie in 1856 by Irish-immigrant families, with the first Mass celebrated in 1868 by Father Joseph Martinere. Saint Anthony itself was established around 1890–1900 in Wylie, and the present wooden church still stands on the foundation of the original structure destroyed by fire in 1900. Today the parish serves a growing North Texas community with Sunday Masses in English and Spanish, daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, OCIA (formerly RCIA), youth ministry, and a long list of parish organizations and lay ministries.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- Saint Anthony (of Padua, traditionally)
- Rector
- Rev. Francisco Orozco
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas
Why belong here
Saint Anthony offers a rare combination: a deeply rooted, historically significant parish (with Mass celebrated on this site since the 1890s and a baptismal register stretching back to 1876) and a lively, growing bilingual community. Worshippers can attend Mass in English four times on Sunday and in Spanish at 1:00 PM, with daily Mass Monday through Saturday, a bilingual Holy Hour for the Priest on Wednesdays, and 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays. A wide range of lay ministries — OCIA/RICA, Christ Renews His Parish retreats, Catholic Daughters, Knights of Columbus, youth ministry (grades 7–12) with Life Nites, lectors, and many more — make it easy for newcomers and longtime parishioners alike to find formation, fellowship, and service.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Holy Hour for the Priest, bilingual)
- First Friday 9:30 AM – Saturday 9:00 AM (24 Hours Adoration — sign up via email [email protected] or text (214) 868-5254)
About Saint Anthony Catholic Church
Saint Anthony is a Roman Catholic parish in Wylie, Texas, part of the Diocese of Dallas, serving the Wylie/Rowlett/Rockwall corridor of North Texas. It is one of the older parishes in the diocese, with sacramental records going back to 1876 and a continuous presence on its present site since around 1890. The parish is bilingual: most Masses are in English, with a Spanish-language Mass every Sunday.
- Diocese of Dallas parish
- Located at 404 N Ballard Ave, Wylie, TX 75098
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) worship and formation
- Pastored by Rev. Francisco Orozco (since 2021)
History
Catholic life in the Wylie area began in 1856, when Irish immigrant families organized Saint Paul Catholic Church about four miles from present-day Wylie. The first Mass was celebrated in 1868 in the home of James Gallagher by Father Joseph Martinere, who became its first pastor. Saint Paul built its first church in 1869, lost it to a cyclone in 1871, and rebuilt it from lumber brought from Jefferson, Texas. Saint Anthony Catholic Church was established in Wylie in 1890 (or 1900), the first Wylie church burned in 1900, and the present wooden church was built on its foundation. In 1916 Bishop Lynch of Dallas moved the older Saint Paul congregation into Saint Anthony and gave the 1876 bell and vestments to the Wylie parish. Over the decades Saint Anthony alternated between parish and mission status under Good Shepherd in Garland (from 1944) and Saint Mark the Evangelist in Plano (from 1966), before becoming a parish again in 1976. Father Anthony W. Pondant (1982) remodeled the old church, acquired more land and built the present church; the parish hall now bears his name.
- 1856 — Saint Paul Catholic Church organized by Irish-immigrant families
- 1868 — First Mass in the home of James Gallagher; Rev. Joseph Martinere, first pastor
- 1869 — First St. Paul church built on land donated by James Neilon
- 1871 — Frame church destroyed by a cyclone; rebuilt with lumber from Jefferson, TX
- 1876 — First entry in the Saint Paul / Saint Anthony Baptismal Register
- 1890 — Diocese of Dallas established; Saint Anthony Catholic Church established in Wylie
- 1900 — First Wylie church destroyed by fire; rebuilt as the present wooden church
- 1916 — Bishop Lynch of Dallas closes Saint Paul; 1876 bell transferred to Saint Anthony
- 1944 — Becomes mission of Good Shepherd, Garland
- 1966 — Becomes mission of Saint Mark the Evangelist, Plano
- 1976 — Returns to full parish status
- 1982 — Father Anthony W. Pondant begins remodeling and expansion
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
Saint Anthony is currently pastored by Rev. Francisco Orozco, who took up the role in 2021. He is assisted by a team of permanent deacons — including Deacon Randy Wilson (since 2013), Deacon Jose Perez (2015), Deacon Greg Hawley (2018) and Deacon Federico Marquez (2021) — and lay staff. James Kauffman serves as the OCIA/RICA and Adult Faith Formation Director, with Kathy Vargas as the Spanish-language OCIA contact.
- Rev. Francisco Orozco — Pastor (since 2021)
- Deacon Randy Wilson (2013)
- Deacon Jose Perez (2015)
- Deacon Greg Hawley (2018)
- Deacon Federico Marquez (2021)
- James Kauffman — OCIA/RICA & Adult Faith Formation Director ([email protected])
- Kathy Vargas — Spanish OCIA contact
- In memoriam: Deacon Pete Martinez (served 1978; d. 12/17/01)
Chronology of Priests & Deacons
The parish maintains a published chronology of clergy who have served Saint Paul and Saint Anthony, beginning with Rev. Joseph Martinere in 1869 and continuing through Rev. Francisco Orozco in 2021. The full list — which includes Rev. John N. Diebold (1906, first pastor of Saint Anthony/St. Paul as a mission), Rev. Anthony W. Pondant (1982) and others — is available on the parish history page.
- 1869 Rev. Joseph Martinere — First Pastor of St. Paul's
- 1906 Rev. John N. Diebold — First Pastor of St. Anthony / St. Paul
- 1982 Rev. Anthony W. Pondant — Remodeled and expanded the parish
- 2021 Rev. Francisco Orozco — Current pastor
Becoming Catholic — OCIA / RICA
Saint Anthony runs the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), formerly known as RCIA, for unbaptized adults, unbaptized children and youth (ages 7–17), baptized Catholics seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation, and baptized Protestants coming into full communion with the Catholic Church. English OCIA classes for adults, children and youth meet Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM; Spanish RICA for adults meets Sundays 10:30 AM–12:00 PM. The 2026–27 cycle begins Wednesday, September 2 (English) and Sunday, September 6 (Spanish), in the White Church.
- OCIA Director: James Kauffman ([email protected])
- Spanish RICA contact: Kathy Vargas
- English classes: Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM in the White Church
- Spanish RICA: Sundays 10:30 AM–12:00 PM in the White Church
- Adults: one-year formation; children/youth: two-year formation
Faith Formation & Spiritual Renewal
Beyond OCIA, the parish supports ongoing adult faith formation and offers the bilingual Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekend retreat, offered free of charge as a gift to parishioners. Retreats are scheduled separately for women and men, and 'Invitation and Help' teams (bilingual and English-speaking) walk invitees through the process.
- Adult Faith Formation with James Kauffman
- Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) bilingual weekend retreats
- Women's and Men's retreat teams (Lorena Almazan, Sophia Vilca Madrid, Justino Medeiros, Paul Mendoza, Liz Urbina)
Youth Ministry (Grades 7–12)
Saint Anthony's youth ministry serves students in grades 7 through 12, gathering for Life Nites held in Father Pondant Hall. The ministry is one of the parish's flagship formation offerings for teens and their families.
- Life Nite events for grades 7–12
- Held in Father Pondant Hall
Parish Organizations & Ministries
Saint Anthony maintains an extensive list of lay organizations and ministries (ORGANIZACIONES Y MINISTERIOS). Notable groups include the Catholic Daughters of America (Court of St. Anthony), the Knights of Columbus, the Lectors ministry, and Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP). The Catholic Daughters' Court of St. Anthony meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in Father Pondant Hall; it runs a scholarship fund, supports the Dallas Pro-Life committee, sponsors semi-annual blood drives, and assists the parish and the local food bank.
- Catholic Daughters of America — Court of St. Anthony (Contact: Suzanne Powers)
- Knights of Columbus
- Lectors (Contact: Warren Bissig, 972-422-4742)
- Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) — bilingual weekend retreats
- Scholarship programs: Father Leonard Bachmann, JCDA, Texas State Court Memorial, Jean Davison Memorial
Vocations from Saint Anthony
The parish takes pride in its vocational fruitfulness. Over the years, several parishioners have been ordained or entered religious life, and several are currently in seminary formation.
- Rev. Patrick F. Gallagher, Diocese of Dallas (deceased)
- Rev. Clement V. Gallagher, Diocese of Denver (deceased)
- Sister Helen Marie Gallagher, Ursuline Sisters (deceased)
- Sister Theresa Claire Gallagher (Gertrude), S.S.M.N. (deceased)
- Sister Mary Philip Cotter (Regina)
- Sister Brendelia Corbitt (May)
- Sister Doloretta Housewright (Loretta)
- Brother Paul Corbitt, S.M.
- Current seminarians: Ken Geraci (Father of Mercy), Paul Iverson, Matthew Hawkins (Franciscan Friars of the Renewal), Matthew Tadyshak, Kyle Fletcher
Sacraments
Saint Anthony prepares and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Information about Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage and Anointing of the Sick is available through the parish office at (972) 442-2765. Adults and youth seeking initiation are directed to the OCIA / RICA process.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- First Communion & Confirmation — through OCIA or youth/family formation
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
- OCIA / RICA for unbaptized adults, children and youth, and baptized Christians
Visit & Contact
The parish offices are reachable by phone at (972) 442-2765, with general inquiries directed to [email protected]. The parish is located at 404 N Ballard Avenue in Wylie, Texas, in the historic downtown area. Visitors can use the 'Get Directions' link on saint-anthony.com to find the church.
- Address: 404 N Ballard Ave, Wylie, TX 75098
- Phone: (972) 442-2765
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://saint-anthony.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Martinere1869
First Pastor of St. Paul's, with Dallas as a Mission
- Rev. Claude Martinere1872
Co-served with Joseph Martinere
- Rev. John Marie Troncy1875
- Rev. Anthony De Flaches1879
- Rev. Peter Garvey1882
- Rev. Jeremiah B. LeHane1891
- Rev. Philip Reagan & Rev. J.J. O'Riordan1892
- Rev. B. M. Pujos, R.M.1893
- Rev. Anthony O'Hara1894
Stations: Commerce, Greenville, McKinney, Sulphur Springs; School: Lay Teacher
- Rev. Frank P. McGinn1895
Stations: Commerce, Greenville, McKinney, Sulphur Springs, Wolfe City; School: Lay Teacher
- Rev. P.H. Donaghue1897
McKinney as a Mission
- Rev. J.J. Mulloy1900
St. Anthony's in Wylie as a Mission
- Rev. P. Murphy1905
- Rev. John N. Diebold1906
First Pastor of St. Anthony / St. Paul as a Mission
- Rev. Christian Wiegand1907
St. Paul as a Mission
- Rev. Lydus George Parroccin1909
St. Paul as a Mission
- Rev. Neale1909
Buried at St. Paul Cemetery May 19
- Rev. Donald F. McNeil, Rev. Moore, Rev. Navin, Rev. Francis J. McNaman, CM1913
Vincentian Fathers from the University of Dallas
- Rev. Thomas Zachary1928
From Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dallas
- Rev. Philip Lewis1929
Rowlett as a Mission
- Rev. John Chestnut1933
Rowlett as a Mission
- Rev. James A. Abbey1935
Rowlett as a Mission
- Rev. John J. Donnelly1937
Rowlett as a Mission
- Rev. Ed J. Szapka1939
Rowlett as a Mission
- Rev. John F. Lavin1946
St. Anthony as a Mission of Garland (Good Shepherd est. 1944)
- Rev. John H. Morse1949
St. Anthony as a Mission of Garland
- Rev. Charles W. Smid1954
St. Anthony as a Mission of Garland
- Rev. E.J. Ryan1967
St. Anthony as a Mission of Plano (St. Mark est. 1966)
- Rev. Claude Smyth1968
St. Anthony as a Mission of Plano
- Rev. Robert J. Sokolski1976
St. Anthony once again becomes a Parish Church; Rowlett as a Mission
- Rev. Albert Cuschieri1977
Rowlett and Rockwall as a Mission
- Rev. Edward McDonnell1979
Administrator from Diocese of Chicago
- Rev. Walter E. Boyter1982
Buried at St. Paul Cemetery
- Rev. Anthony W. Pondant1982
Remodeled the white church, purchased land, built present church; parish hall named Father Pondant Hall
- Rev. Loyd D. Morris1997
- Rev. Andrew Semler2009
- Rev. Sinu Joseph2012
- Rev. Tony Densmore2016
- Rev. Jacob Dankasa2019
- Rev. Ramiro Alvarez2020
- Rev. Francisco Orozco2021
Current pastor