About St. Elizabeth · Port Neches, Texas
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is a Roman-Latin rite parish in Port Neches, Texas, belonging to the Diocese of Beaumont. The parish traces its origins to 1922 when Father Fred Hardy began celebrating Mass in the Liberty Theatre and signed for ten lots on Avenue B. Today the parish serves over 1,300 families and is one of the larger parishes in the diocese, with a strong youth ministry, the St. Elizabeth Ladies Guild, a Knights of Columbus council, religious education, and a vibrant music program. The parish's current pastor, Father Jim McClintock, was installed in June 2021 and is leading a large-scale Forward in Faith Capital Campaign to improve parish ancillary facilities.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary (also known as St. Elizabeth of Thuringia)
- Rector
- Rev. Jim McClintock
- Diocese
- Diocese of Beaumont
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth is a parish where the people, in the words of pastor Fr. Jim McClintock, are 'strong, vibrant, generous and serving of the community.' With over 1,300 families it is one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Beaumont, yet it still feels like a church family — a 'can-do' community with no borders, as parishioners described it at the 2022 centennial. Active ministries include a Knights of Columbus council, the St. Elizabeth Ladies Guild, a flourishing High School Youth Ministry, Religious Education, Becoming Catholic (RCIA/OCIA), a music ministry, and a Grief Support group, all anchored by daily and weekend Masses, Saturday confession and a rosary before each Mass.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 – 3:30 PM (or by appointment)
History of St. Elizabeth Parish
St. Elizabeth's story begins in the early 1920s, when Catholics in Port Neches had to travel hours on dirt and shell roads to reach Mass in Port Arthur or Beaumont. Father Fred Hardy arrived as a missionary, celebrated the first Masses in the Liberty Theatre, and on June 8, 1922 signed for ten lots on Avenue B. Much of the labor and lumber was donated or salvaged. Despite arson against a stack of lumber — likely the work of the local Klan — and nightly guarding by parishioners, the church was completed and soon organized a parish choir, a Dominican-Sisters-staffed school and a Knights of Columbus council. The parish's present church on Nall Street was dedicated March 3, 1957 by Bishop W.J. Nold; it features a marble altar, Stations of the Cross in gypsum on marble, and artwork, carvings and stained glass by Beaumont artist David Cargill.
- Founded 1922 by Father Fred Hardy
- Original site on Avenue B in Port Neches
- 1957 church dedicated by Bishop W.J. Nold; marble altar and David Cargill stained glass
- School opened 1922 (St. Catherine); renamed St. Elizabeth School 1960; closed 1970
- Centennial celebrated June 2022 with Bishop David Toups
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
St. Elizabeth has a long tradition of strong youth ministry, dating back to the days when its CYO was known throughout the Diocese of Beaumont for service to the community and the Church. Today the parish's High School Youth Ministry is dedicated to introducing teens to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and helping them cultivate a living, personal relationship with Him. The program is open to all high school students in 9th–12th grade.
- High School Youth Ministry — Sundays 9:00 AM (live-streamed & in person) and 11:00 AM
- Religious Education program
- Becoming Catholic / RCIA / OCIA — Sundays at 9:00 AM
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA)
Becoming Catholic at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is described as a welcoming and transformative journey for those seeking to deepen their faith. The parish invites inquirers to the Sunday 9:00 AM session, which fits naturally alongside the parish's other Sunday offerings.
- Session time: Sundays at 9:00 AM
- Open to adults preparing for full reception into the Catholic Church
Parish Ministries & Groups
Parishioners are served by a wide range of lay-led ministries. The St. Elizabeth Ladies Guild is dedicated to fostering fellowship, service and spiritual growth among women in the parish, and the Knights of Columbus council serves the church and the broader community through acts of charity, faith and fellowship. A Grief Support group meets in the Youth Room.
- St. Elizabeth Ladies Guild
- Knights of Columbus
- Music Ministry — choir, organist, Director of Liturgy (Justin Sanders)
- Religious Education
- Grief Support
- Altar Society (historical women's parish group)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the sacraments at the heart of Catholic life — with the Eucharist as the parish's central focus ('Experience Jesus in the Eucharist'). Baptism preparation is offered for parents and godparents, and Reconciliation is available Saturday afternoons.
- Baptism — preparation provided for parents and godparents
- Reconciliation — Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM or by appointment
- Eucharist — daily and weekend Masses
- Becoming Catholic (RCIA/OCIA)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by pastor Father Jim McClintock, assisted by two permanent deacons and a team of parish staff who handle youth ministry, faith formation, music, business, sacramental records and parish administration.
- Fr. Jim McClintock — Pastor
- Deacon Basil Smith
- Deacon Ivan Watson
- Cullen Cauley — Youth Director
- Kim Hall — Business Manager
- Susan Dengler — Religious Education
- Laura Finley — Administrative Secretary
- Charlene Mitchell — Sacramental Records
- Justin Sanders — Music Director/Organist & Director of Liturgy
- Monsignor Bennie J. Patillo — Pastor Emeritus
Forward in Faith Capital Campaign
The parish is currently running its Forward in Faith Campaign — a sacrificial stewardship effort above and beyond the regular offertory to improve parish ancillary facilities. Every commitment, of any size, is described as making a lasting impact.
- Sacrificial pledge above regular offertory
- Funds improvements to parish ancillary facilities
Joining the Parish
Anyone interested in becoming part of the parish family can download a registration form from the website and return it to the parish office.
- Deliver to parish office (Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM)
- Mail to 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches, TX 77651
- Fax to 409-727-8875
Visit & Contact
St. Elizabeth is located on Nall Street (Hwy. 365) in Port Neches, Texas. Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Address: 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches, TX 77651
- Phone: (409) 727-8874
- Website: http://stepncatholic.org/
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fred Hardy1922–1939
Founding pastor; signed for ten lots on Avenue B on June 8, 1922; began Masses in the Liberty Theatre. Left to become the first pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Nederland and also founded Immaculate Conception in Groves and St. Therese, the Little Flower of Jesus in Port Acres.
- Rev. Cornelius P. Sullivan1939–1955
Second pastor; grew the parish and organized the first Altar Society (1942). Died of a heart attack on January 19, 1955.
- Rev. Patrick J. Hickey1955–1978
Built the present church (dedicated 1957), St. Elizabeth School, auditorium, convent, chapel and rectory; transferred to St. Henry, Bridge City in 1978.
- Rev. Nicholas J. Perusina1978–1987
Died in office in 1987.
- Rev. Dennis Placette1987–1993
Succeeded Fr. Perusina; oversaw the 1990 renovation and rededication with Bishop Bernard J. Ganter.
- Rev. Jim Courville1993–1995
Strengthened youth ministry; St. Elizabeth CYO became known across the diocese.
- Rev. (later Msgr.) Bennie J. Patillo1995–2014
20-year pastor; led recovery after Hurricane Ike (2008); elevated to Monsignor in 2012 after 42 years in the Diocese of Beaumont; named Pastor Emeritus on his retirement in November 2014.
- Rev. Shane BaxterNovember 2014–2021
Installed November 2014; oversaw continued growth to nearly 1,300 families. (Now Vicar General and Rector of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Diocese of Beaumont.)
- Rev. Jim McClintockJune 2021–present
Came from many years as Pastor of sister parish St. Mary in Fannett; leading the Forward in Faith Capital Campaign.