About St. Joseph · Bryan, Texas
St. Joseph Catholic Church is the oldest Catholic parish in Bryan–College Station, Texas, and the mother church of the Brazos Valley Catholic community, with origins in the 1860s and 1870s when traveling priests from the Diocese of Galveston celebrated Mass in private homes across Brazos County. Today the parish, located at 507 East 26th Street in Bryan and led by Pastor Father Brian Eilers, serves more than 1,600 registered families with four Sunday Masses (including one in the Christ the Good Shepherd Chapel), daily Mass in English, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, regular Confession, an attached Catholic school, and a full program of faith formation, youth ministry, and outreach. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Austin and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023.
- Established
- 1871 (church building erected); parish organized 1876
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Father Brian Eilers
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin
Why belong here
St. Joseph is the historic mother parish of the Bryan–College Station Catholic community, with a tangible sense of continuity stretching back to the 1870s and a present-day congregation of more than 1,600 families. It offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — multiple Sunday Masses (including the 5:30 p.m. Mass at Christ the Good Shepherd Chapel), daily Mass six days a week, Confession four afternoons a week, and perpetual Eucharistic Adoration — alongside an attached Catholic school, faith formation for children and adults, youth ministry, and outreach to those in need. Its mission statement, 'Meet · Know · Live · Share JESUS,' reflects a parish that sees itself as both a worshiping community and the founding family of Catholicism in the Brazos Valley.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Friday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Adoration times
- Sunday 2:00 PM – 11:59 PM
- Monday – Friday 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM (perpetual daytime/extended hours)
- Saturday 12:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Parish History
Catholic worship in Bryan dates to 1869, when itinerant priests from the Diocese of Galveston rode into Brazos County to celebrate Mass in private homes. The first St. Joseph church building was erected about 1871, and Fr. John Moore is remembered as the parish's first full-time pastor. After a fire destroyed the original structure in 1876, the congregation worshipped in a local store and then, in 1883, bought and converted the Masonic schoolhouse. A new frame church followed in 1904, and the present church at East 26th and Preston Streets was dedicated in 1960. The parish was founded by an immigrant community that included French, Bohemian, German, and Polish families, and it grew into the mother church of Bryan–College Station Catholicism, giving rise to several daughter parishes. A Texas Historical Commission marker (No. 8694) was dedicated on the property in 1997, and the parish marked its 150th anniversary in March 2023.
- First Masses in Bryan celebrated by visiting Galveston diocesan priests, beginning 1869.
- First church building erected c. 1871; Fr. John Moore first full-time pastor.
- Fire destroyed original structure in 1876; parish met in a local store.
- Masonic schoolhouse purchased in 1883 and converted into a church.
- New frame church built in 1904.
- Present church at East 26th & Preston dedicated in 1960.
- Texas Historical Commission marker No. 8694 dedicated in 1997.
- 150th anniversary celebrated March 19, 2023, with Bishop Joe S. Vásquez.
Mass & Liturgy
St. Joseph offers a full schedule of Masses in English, including a Saturday Vigil, three Sunday morning Masses in the main church, and a Sunday evening Mass in the smaller Christ the Good Shepherd Chapel on campus. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at the times listed below. The Saturday Vigil Mass and selected Masses are livestreamed on the parish website (stjosephbcs.org/mass-online).
- Saturday Vigil: 6:00 PM (livestreamed).
- Sunday: 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 5:30 PM (at Christ the Good Shepherd Chapel).
- Weekdays: Monday 8:15 AM; Tuesday 6:00 PM; Wednesday 8:15 AM; Thursday 6:00 PM; Friday 8:15 AM; Saturday 8:15 AM.
- Childcare available in the ELC during the 9:00 and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses.
- Saturday Vigil and select Masses livestreamed online.
Anointing of the Sick & Pastoral Care
Pastoral care for the sick, homebound, and elderly is an ongoing ministry of the parish. The Anointing of the Sick is celebrated communally on the second Thursday of each month, immediately after the 6:00 PM Mass. The parish also brings Mass to parishioners in local nursing homes.
- Anointing of the Sick: Second Thursday of the month, after the 6:00 PM Mass.
- Mass celebrated at Watercrest.
- Mass celebrated at The Parc at Traditions.
Faith Formation, School & Youth
Faith formation has been central to St. Joseph since the first parish school opened in 1894 and Villa Maria Academy moved to Bryan in 1901. Today the parish continues that educational mission through its parish school, religious education programs, RCIA, youth ministry, and a parish library.
- St. Joseph Catholic School (on-campus parish school).
- Religious Education / Faith Formation for children.
- Youth Ministry: events, retreats, and camps for teens.
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those entering the Church.
- Parish Library.
Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Father Brian Eilers, who was assigned as pastor in March 2021, and is served by two permanent deacons.
- Fr. Brian Eilers – Pastor (assigned March 2021).
- Dcn. Pat Gallagher – Permanent Deacon.
- Dcn. Keith Comeaux – Permanent Deacon.
Mother Church of the Brazos Valley
Because St. Joseph is the oldest Catholic parish in Bryan–College Station, several surrounding parishes and missions grew out of it as the Catholic population expanded. The parish today sees itself as the spiritual 'mother church' for the region, anchoring a network of daughter communities.
- St. Anthony's Parish
- St. Mary's Parish
- St. Theresa Church
- Immaculate Conception Church
- St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
- San Salvador Mission (Bryan)
Visiting, Campus & Historic Marker
The parish is located at 507 East 26th Street, on the corner of East 26th and Preston Streets in downtown Bryan, two blocks off South Texas Avenue (Business TX-6). The campus includes the main church (dedicated 1960), the Christ the Good Shepherd Chapel, the parish school, and the parish offices. The 1997 Texas Historical Commission marker No. 8694 stands on the corner and outlines the parish's 1870s origins and growth.
- Address: 507 East 26th Street, Bryan, TX 77803.
- Phone: (979) 822-2721.
- Email: [email protected].
- Texas Historical Commission marker No. 8694 (1997) at Preston & 26th Streets.
- Childcare in the ELC during the 9:00 and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Moore1870s
Considered the first full-time pastor of St. Joseph Church of Bryan.