About St. Joseph · Beeville, Texas
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beeville, Texas, is a Eucharistic, Christ-centered parish under the patronage of Saint Joseph the Worker, serving the Catholic faithful of Bee County and the surrounding Coastal Bend region. Originally founded in 1895 (with records dating to 1876 and an earlier church structure built in 1891), the parish is part of the Diocese of Corpus Christi and today worships in a church building dedicated in 1992. The community celebrates Mass in English and in a bilingual Sunday evening liturgy, and is known for its strong Religious Education program, active liturgical ministries, and historic roots reaching back to the Irish Catholic settlers of mid-19th-century Texas.
- Established
- 1895
- Patron
- Saint Joseph the Worker
- Rector
- Very Rev. Pete Elizardo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
St. Joseph's offers the full rhythm of Catholic sacramental life — three Sunday Masses (including a bilingual evening Mass), four weekday Masses, Saturday confessions, and a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel — in a parish with deep Bee County roots stretching back to 1876. Members can serve in well-organized liturgical ministries (choir, lectors, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion) or in parish life through the Pastoral Council, Finance Council, St. Vincent de Paul Society, youth ministry, men's and women's groups, and the annual parish bazaar. A robust K-12 Religious Education program, two-year sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, and a year-round OCIA (RCIA) process make it a place where families and seekers can grow together.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
- Or any time by appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration Chapel (24-hour access available; visit the parish office to register for access)
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Joseph Catholic Church describes itself as a Eucharistic, Christ-centered community under the patronage of Saint Joseph the Worker. Its stated mission is to connect with people and lead them into an authentic and growing relationship with Jesus Christ through the proclamation of the Word of God, through the Sacraments and Liturgy, through Religious Education, and by creating a family-centered community environment where people are equipped and encouraged to grow spiritually. The parish's Latin motto — Sancte Ioseph, ora pro nobis ("Saint Joseph, pray for us") — greets visitors on the homepage.
History of the Parish
Catholic life in Bee County traces to 1848, when traveling priests celebrated Mass at the Corrigan Ranch and other homes of Irish Catholic settlers. Written parish records begin in 1876 (signed by Rev. A. M. Chozelle), and the first resident pastor, Rev. Charles Doherty, OMI, began a project in 1882 that produced the first church structure in 1891. The Sisters of Divine Providence arrived in 1894, opened St. Mary's Academy in 1896, and later signed a 1931 contract to create St. Joseph's Parochial School after a December 1930 fire destroyed the academy. A 1916 hurricane blew over the original church, leading to a temporary structure and then the 1927 church (dedicated December 20, 1927). That building served until Bishop Rene H. Gracida authorized its demolition in 1989; the current church was dedicated October 3, 1992 before 769 registered parish families.
- First resident pastor: Rev. Charles Doherty, OMI (1882–c.1890).
- First church structure: 1891 (at the present East Gramman Street site).
- 1916 hurricane blew the church onto its side.
- 1927 church dedicated December 20, 1927; demolished 1989.
- 1991–1992: current church built and dedicated October 3, 1992 by Bishop Gracida.
- Texas Historical Commission marker erected 1992.
Schools & Religious Sisters
Catholic education has been a cornerstone of the parish for more than 125 years. A one-room school opened in 1896 and grew into St. Mary's Academy, a two-story building that survived the 1916 hurricane and a 1918 fire before being destroyed by the disastrous 1930 fire. The Sisters of Divine Providence's fire insurance of $4,900 funded St. Joseph's Parochial School, which operated under their care for eighty years until their departure in 1976. The Missionary Sisters of St. Dominic then served the parish from 1978 to 2004 in various capacities, including teaching at the parochial school, until the school was closed due to financial constraints.
- St. Mary's Academy (1896–1930) — Sisters of Divine Providence.
- St. Joseph's Parochial School (1931–c.2004) — Sisters of Divine Providence (80 years), then Dominican Sisters (25 years).
Pastoral Leadership Over the Decades
The parish has been shepherded by a long line of priests, beginning with Rev. Charles Doherty, OMI (1882) and including Rev. Raymond Monclus, OMI (appointed April 17, 1893); Rev. John Richard Purtill during the 1916 hurricane; Rt. Rev. Monsignor John J. Lannon who dedicated the 1927 church; Very Rev. Monsignor Harold F. Palmer (1950–1971) who also served as diocesan superintendent of parochial schools; Father Patrick Donohoe who directed the 2010 renovation and built the new parking lot; Fr. Richard Gonzales (named pastor July 2011) who developed the Newman Center at Coastal Bend College and led the parish through the COVID-19 pandemic; and the current pastor, Very Rev. Pete Elizardo, who was named pastor in July 2023 along with Fr. R.J. Regalado as Parochial Vicar.
- Monsignor Harold F. Palmer (1950–1971) — also diocesan superintendent of parochial schools.
- Fr. Patrick Donohoe — 2010 church renovation and new parking lot.
- Fr. Richard Gonzales (July 2011–) — Newman Center at Coastal Bend College; COVID-19 era growth.
- Very Rev. Pete Elizardo (July 2023–Present) — current pastor.
Parish Staff & Clergy
The current parish team is led by Very Rev. Pete Elizardo (Pastor), with Rev. Richard Gutierrez serving as Parochial Vicar and Rev. Deacon Santos Jones assisting in diaconal ministry. The lay staff includes Cristian De La Rosa (Business Manager), Karla Cantu (Pastoral Associate), Leticia Peña (Director of Religious Education), and a Director of Music Ministry (contact: [email protected]). The parish office can be reached at [email protected].
- Pastor: Very Rev. Pete Elizardo — [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Richard Gutierrez — [email protected]
- Deacon: Rev. Deacon Santos Jones — [email protected]
- Business Manager: Cristian De La Rosa
- Pastoral Associate: Karla Cantu — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education: Leticia Peña — [email protected]
- Director of Music Ministry — [email protected]
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
The parish Religious Education program for grades K–12 strives to teach the essential traditions and doctrines of the Catholic faith and to journey with children and their parents in their lifelong relationship with God, placing special emphasis on participation in the Mass and care for others. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist is a two-year process, generally beginning in first grade. Confirmation preparation is also a two-year process beginning in 9th grade, with the sacrament typically received at the end of 10th grade. Parents are considered an integral part of this ministry and are offered their own formation opportunities.
- Grades K–12 Religious Education classes
- First Communion & First Penance: 2-year preparation
- Confirmation: 2-year preparation (grades 9–10)
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
St. Joseph's walks adults through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) — a gradual, communal process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and formation that restores the ancient practice of the early Church. It is designed for non-baptized adults seeking full initiation, baptized Catholics in need of Eucharist and/or Confirmation, and Christians baptized in another denomination seeking full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Registration is year-round; inquire at the parish office.
- Designed for: non-baptized adults; baptized Catholics needing Eucharist/Confirmation; baptized Christians from other denominations.
- Year-round registration — contact the parish office.
Parish Ministries & Groups
Parishioners are invited to participate in liturgical ministries such as choir, lector, altar server, and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, as well as in social-justice ministries including visiting the homebound, serving the poor, volunteering at food pantries, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Other opportunities include youth ministry, men's and women's groups, the annual parish bazaar, the Parish Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, Offertory Counters, and Ushers. The parish encourages new ministry ideas from parishioners.
- Liturgical: Choir, Lectors, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers
- Councils: Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council
- Service: St. Vincent de Paul Society, homebound visits, food pantry volunteering
- Community: Youth ministry, men's & women's groups, annual parish bazaar
- Newman Center at Coastal Bend College–Beeville
Newman Center at Coastal Bend College
Developed under the leadership of Fr. Richard Gonzales, the parish established a Newman Center at Coastal Bend College–Beeville to minister to Catholic students at the local college campus. This is an extension of the parish's mission to bring the faith to people in every stage of life.
Facilities & Campus
The parish campus sits at 609 E Gramman Street in Beeville, on the same block where Catholics have worshipped since the first church structure was built in 1891. Over the years the parish has expanded its footprint: during Fr. Patrick Donohoe's tenure a new parking lot was constructed, and additional parish properties were acquired for future expansion. Under Fr. Richard Gonzales, further buildings were purchased to house the growing Religious Education programs.
- Current church building: dedicated October 3, 1992; renovated 2010.
- New parking lot built under Fr. Patrick Donohoe.
- Additional parish properties acquired under Fr. Donohoe and Fr. Gonzales for Religious Education and future growth.
Visiting, Contact & Getting Involved
St. Joseph's welcomes visitors and new parishioners. The parish office can be reached at (361) 358-3239 or [email protected], and is located at 609 E Gramman St, Beeville, TX 78102. In a personal welcome from the pastor, Very Rev. Pete Elizardo writes: "We are delighted that you have taken this opportunity to visit us. The center of our parish life and the Catholic faith is the Eucharist. … We invite you to join us as we share our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." Visitors are encouraged to introduce themselves, and anyone interested in joining a ministry is invited to contact the office.
- Address: 609 E Gramman St, Beeville, TX 78102
- Phone: (361) 358-3239
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stjosephbeeville.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/stjosephbeeville
Diocese & Canonical Status
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi, the diocesan jurisdiction that covers the Coastal Bend region of South Texas. The parish was designated as a Jubilee Church during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis in 2015–2016, an honor noted by GCatholic. The parish operates under the Roman-Latin rite.
- Diocese: Corpus Christi
- Designated Jubilee Church — Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (2016)
- Rite: Roman-Latin
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles Doherty, OMI1882–c.1890
First resident pastor; began the project that built the 1891 church at the present site.
- Rev. A. E. Antoine, OMIMay 1892 – March 1893
- Rev. Raymond Monclus, OMIApril 17, 1893 –
Built the priest's residence in 1904.
- Rev. John Richard PurtillMay 1916 –
Pastor during the 1916 hurricane that destroyed the church.
- Rev. John A. Walsh1924–1925
Began raising funds for a new church.
- Rt. Rev. Monsignor John J. Lannon1925–
Dedicated the new church on December 20, 1927.
- Rev. Timothy Fitzpatrick / Most Rev. Paul J. Nussbaum (Bishop, administering)c.1917
Bishop Nussbaum assumed charge pending arrival of Rev. Peter Hanley (February 1918).
- Very Rev. Monsignor Harold F. PalmerJanuary 15, 1950 – 1971
Also served as superintendent of parochial schools in the diocese.
- Rev. Charles McNaboe1971–
Noted in 1977 jubilee letter that the parish had grown from 16 families (1896) to 80 (1930s) to 600 families.
- Father John Killeen1983–
Oversaw the 1991–1992 rebuilding of the church.
- Father Patrick Donohoepre-2010 – c.2011
Built a new parking lot, renovated the church in 2010, acquired additional parish properties.
- Fr. Richard GonzalesJuly 2011 – c.2023
Developed a Newman Center at Coastal Bend College–Beeville; led growth during COVID-19, including new Religious Education buildings.
- Very Rev. Pete ElizardoJuly 2023 – Present
Current pastor, joined by Fr. R.J. Regalado as Parochial Vicar.