About St. Francis De Paula · San Diego, Texas
St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church is a historic parish in San Diego, Texas (Duval County), one of the oldest Catholic communities in South Texas, dating to 1867 when French-born Father Claude Jaillet raised $700 to build a chapel that served as the only public place of worship between Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley. The present white-brick Gothic Revival church was built in 1908 during the pastorate of Father Pedro Bard and stands on the traditional Spanish-style town plaza. A parish of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, St. Francis de Paula serves a bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking community with a full weekly Mass schedule, daily confessions, perpetual adoration, and the mission church of St. Joseph in nearby Palito Blanco. The parish celebrated 100 years in the present sanctuary in 1967 and recently completed a multi-year restoration of the historic building under its current pastor, Father James Farfaglia.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- St. Francis de Paula
- Rector
- Rev. James Farfaglia
- Diocese
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
St. Francis de Paula offers a deeply rooted, bilingual Catholic community at the heart of San Diego and the surrounding Duval County ranch country, with a Mass schedule that welcomes both English- and Spanish-speaking families every day of the week (except Monday). The parish runs a Faith Formation / CCD program that prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation, weekly RCIA classes for adults exploring the Catholic faith, daily confessions before most Masses, perpetual adoration, and the St. Joseph Mission in Palito Blanco for rural parishioners. As one of South Texas's oldest parishes — marked by the Texas Historical Commission and the legacy of its Dominican founders — it combines a historic 1908 sanctuary with an active pastoral life under Father James Farfaglia.
Mass times at St. Francis De Paula
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM
- Sunday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Sunday 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Sunday 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday 5:30 PM
- Wednesday 5:30 PM
- Thursday 5:30 PM
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration — 24 hours a day (ask for the code to enter)
History of St. Francis de Paula Parish
Founded in 1867 by the French-born Father Claude Jaillet, the parish grew out of a small chapel that served as the only public place of worship between Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley. The present Gothic Revival sanctuary was completed in 1908 by Father Pedro Bard and stands today as one of the most historic Catholic buildings in South Texas.
- 1867 — Father Claude Jaillet raises $700 to build the first chapel.
- 1872 / 1875–1884 — Father Jaillet serves two terms as pastor.
- 1884 — Father Pedro Bard, also from France, continues the parish.
- 1908 — Present-day white-brick church constructed under Father Bard.
- 1909 — Monsignor Jaillet returns to dedicate the new church.
- 1950 — Church enlarged and remodeled; Parochial Hall added.
- 1967 — Parish celebrates 100 years of continuous service.
- 1996 — Texas Historical Commission Marker No. 5034 erected.
- 2022–2024 — Sanctuary, stained-glass windows, and interior fully restored.
- 2026 — Monument honoring the Dominican pastors unveiled June 7.
Our Pastor — Father James Farfaglia
Father James Farfaglia has served as pastor of St. Francis de Paula since July 2021. A bilingual priest who can also celebrate Mass in Latin, he arrived to find the 110-year-old historic structure in need of repair and led a multi-year restoration approved by Bishop Michael Mulvey. He is also a published author and posts a weekly Sunday homily online in both written and video form.
- Born February 20, 1956, in Stamford, Connecticut; grew up in Ridgefield, CT.
- Graduated from Magdalen College (NH) in 1978; joined the Legionaries of Christ.
- Studied in Spain and Rome; helped found seminaries, schools, and Regnum Christi.
- Entered parish ministry in 1999 under Bishop Edmond Carmody (Tyler, TX).
- Founded Saint Andrew the Apostle, Lufkin; Saint Helena of the True Cross of Jesus, Corpus Christi; served Our Lady of Guadalupe, Corpus Christi.
- Author of Man to Man and Get Serious! A Survival Guide for Serious Catholics.
- Active in the pro-life movement; helped close the last Corpus Christi abortion clinic (June 6, 2014).
- Led the St. Francis de Paula restoration project, 2022–2024.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Francis de Paula is described by the parish as 'an expression of the mission entrusted by Jesus to the Church,' seeking to prepare its members — old and young — to proclaim the Good News and translate it into action. Programs include CCD classes for children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation, as well as RCIA for adults entering or returning to the Catholic Church.
- Faith Formation / CCD classes for children
- First Confessions and First Communions for CCD students
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (weekly classes, open to all who are curious)
- Confirmation preparation
- Contact: Parish Office, 361-279-3596
St. Joseph Mission — Palito Blanco
St. Francis de Paula also serves rural Catholics through its mission church, St. Joseph Mission, in Palito Blanco. Sunday Mass is celebrated at the mission at 5:00 PM.
- St. Joseph Mission address: 2688 FM 735, Palito Blanco, TX 78332
- Sunday Mass: 5:00 PM
The Sanctuary — Architecture & 2022–2024 Restoration
The present St. Francis de Paula church is a white-brick Gothic Revival building completed in 1908 during the pastorate of Father Pedro Bard and dedicated in 1909. It stands on the traditional Padre Pedro Plaza at the corner of S. Victoria Street and E. St. Peters Avenue — a layout that exemplifies classic Spanish town planning. When Father James Farfaglia arrived in July 2021, the sanctuary and interior were in serious need of repair. Bishop Michael Mulvey approved a renovation plan that began in March 2022.
- Style: White-brick Gothic Revival
- Built 1908; dedicated 1909
- Restoration stages (2022–2024): stained-glass windows, sanctuary, statues, carpet, painting, lighting
- New altar and ambo installed May 31, 2024
- Old altar and ambo retained for use in the parish hall
- Texas Historical Commission Marker No. 5034 on site (erected 1996)
Getting Involved — Online Giving & Parish Life
The parish offers online giving through secure electronic check or debit/credit card gifts, both one-time and recurring. The parish also keeps a busy online presence with Facebook and YouTube, daily Mass readings on the homepage, and a weekly homily from Father Farfaglia.
- Online Giving — secure electronic check or debit/credit
- Facebook page
- YouTube channel
- Daily Mass readings on the parish homepage
- Father Farfaglia's weekly Internet homily (written and video) since 2002
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed to the historic sanctuary on the Padre Pedro Plaza in downtown San Diego. The parish office sits next to the church building.
- Address: 401 S Victoria St, San Diego, TX 78384
- Phone: (361) 279-3596
- Diocese: Diocese of Corpus Christi
- Website: https://stfrancisdepaula.church/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Claude Jaillet1867–1872, 1875–1884
Founder; French-born, known as the 'saddlebag priest of the Nueces.' Raised $700 to build the first chapel. Returned in 1909 to dedicate the present church.
- Father Pedro Bardafter 1884–early 1900s
Also from France. Built the present-day white-brick church in 1908.
- Father Juan Zabala, OP1932–1946, 1958–1960
Dominican; known as 'El Constructor.' Enlarged the sanctuary, built the Parochial Hall.
- Father Angel Alvarez, OP1947–1950
Dominican.
- Father Álvaro L. Rodríguez, OP1951, 1955
Dominican.
- Father Juan Blázquez, OP1952–1954, 1956–1957
Dominican.
- Father Antonio Argüelles, OP1961–1963
Dominican.
- Father Epifanio 'Epi' Rodríguez, OP1965–1967, 1971–1986
Much-beloved pastor; remained in retirement in San Diego until 2013.
- Father Luis Cipriano Diaz, OP1968–1970
Dominican.
- Father Juan Suárez, OP1987–1992
Died in office; buried in San Diego Cemetery.
- Father Benito Retortillo, OP1993–2013
Longest recent tenure; 20 years. Returned to Spain with Father Epi in 2013.
- Rev. James Farfaglia2021–present
Diocesan priest; led the 2022–2024 church restoration.