St. Joseph Catholic Church

Parish History

St. Joseph Catholic Church traces its origin to 1869, when the Rev. Felix Orzechowski organized the Polish Catholic families who had been brought to the area by the Waverly Emigration Society. Three successive churches have stood on the same block at Elmore and Walker streets: a small frame church built in 1877, a larger church built by Tom Lavandoski in 1897, and the present Gothic church designed by architect L. S. Green, begun in 1905 and dedicated December 16, 1906 under Father Thomas Aloysius Bily. The parish was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1975. A major interior restoration in 1984-85 under Father Stredny preserved the tower window, confessional, staircase, and original interior character, and in 2019 an $800,000 exterior restoration renewed the wood siding, two spires, and iconic clocktower and steeple. The parish celebrated its 150th anniversary with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo on December 1, 2019.

• 1869: Parish organized by Rev. Felix Orzechowski
• 1877: First frame church built by Rev. Victor Linicki
• 1897: Second larger church built by Tom Lavandoski
• 1905-1906: Present Gothic church designed by L. S. Green, dedicated Dec. 16, 1906
• 1975: Designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
• 1984-1985: Interior restoration under Father Stredny ($250,000)
• 1996: Visit of Polish President Lech Walesa
• 2019: $800,000 exterior restoration completed
• December 1, 2019: Sesquicentennial anniversary Mass with Cardinal DiNardo

Mission Statement & Parish Identity

St. Joseph Catholic Parish Community of New Waverly, originating from Polish families, submits to the authority of the Holy Father and the Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The parish describes itself as 'a close, diverse and growing family of Baptized believers' whose prime mission is to live and spread God's good news through the Sacraments — especially the Sunday Eucharist — and through Christian service to the young, the non-believer, and those in need.

RCIA — Becoming Catholic

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) meets every Sunday at 7:00 AM in the Conference Room of the Parish Office Building (south end of the parking lot across from the church). It is open to all adults 18 and older, including unbaptized inquirers, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics needing First Communion, Reconciliation, or Confirmation. Walk-ins are welcome.

• Sundays at 7:00 AM, Parish Office Conference Room
• Coordinator: Keith Musgrove — 832-671-3527

Faith Formation — CCE

Continuing Catholic Education (CCE) provides religious education for the parish's children, with classes held throughout the year.

• CCE Coordinators: Carolyn Ross (936-661-5472) and Christina Escobedo (760-807-7154)

Music & Liturgy Ministries

Separate music teams lead worship at each of the three weekend Masses, with a dedicated Youth Choir for younger parishioners. The parish is currently seeking volunteer organists and pianists to substitute.

• Saturday 7:00 PM — Jane Ellisor (936-788-3338)
• Sunday 9:00 AM — Clara Malak (936-295-9483)
• Sunday 11:00 AM (Spanish) — Emily Mendoza (936-718-1035)
• Youth Choir — Raghu & Barbara Narayan (936-539-6440)
• Altar Servers — Maria Albiter (936-344-6140)

Parish Ministries & Organizations

St. Joseph has a wide range of lay ministries and organizations that serve the parish family and the wider Walker County community, including outreach to the poor, the homebound, and the Hispanic community.

• Knights of Columbus Council 5921 — Mike Killgore (936-539-8821)
• St. Vincent de Paul — Joanne Reyes (936-537-3863)
• Legion of Mary — Lisa Sanchez (936-827-8760)
• Helping Hands — Joyce Gregory (936-522-8693), Libby Novark, Verna Bilnoski, Linda Slott
• Our Lady of Fatima — Elizabeth Sanchez (936-827-8760)
• Vocations Committee — Darlene Mann (936-295-5031)
• St. Joseph Ladies Group — Laura Weber (612-865-5483)
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — Frances Venarske (936-344-6252)
• Lectors — Frances Venarske (936-828-6834), Fernando Garcia (310-308-4884)
• Communion for the Homebound — Katy Parkans (936-788-3154)
• Ministerio Hispano — Emily Mendoza, Maria Albiter, Rita Garcia
• Parish Cemetery — Raymond Belinowski (936-344-6140)

St. Stephen the Martyr Mission

St. Joseph Parish operates St. Stephen the Martyr Mission in Point Blank, Texas, sharing the same pastor, staff, phone, and email. The mission offers Wednesday morning Eucharistic Adoration and is cared for by the St. Joseph pastoral team.

• Address: 101 Stagecoach @ Hwy 156, Point Blank, TX 77364
• Mailing Address: 101 Elmore St., New Waverly, TX 77358-4105
• Pastor: Rev. Daokim Nguyen
• Adoration: Wednesdays 9:00-10:00 AM

Pastoral & Parish Staff

The parish is led by a pastor appointed by the Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, supported by a Pastoral Council, a Finance Committee, and a small parish staff.

• Pastor: Rev. Daokim Nguyen
• Secretaries / Bookkeepers: Elizabeth Billnoske, Norma Bignall
• Custodian: Carolyn McClure
• Pastoral Council: Ernest Butler, Joe Creppon, Maria Cardenas, Jonathan Currey, Carolyn McClure, Joe Morrison
• Finance Committee: Jane Ellisor, Raymond Belinowski, John Hunt
• Parish Webmaster: David Gergen (713-248-7041)

Contact & Visit

Parishioners and visitors may contact the parish office during business hours, register by completing the form in the back of the church, and donate altar flowers for special occasions ($60.00 suggested donation).

• Office: (936) 344-6104 | Fax: (936) 344-2818
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.st-josephtx.org
• Address: 101 Elmore Street, New Waverly, TX 77358-4105
• Parish Registration: forms in the back of the church