About St. Julia · Austin, Texas
St. Julia Catholic Church is a bilingual (Spanish-English) Catholic parish in the Govalle neighborhood of East Austin, Texas, founded on November 24, 1957 (the First Sunday of Advent). The parish serves a community that is largely Mexican-American and Hispanic, and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin. Its current pastor is Rev. Efrain Villanueva. The parish campus, built in 1957 with mid-century styling and Spanish Mission overtones, is notable for eight stained-glass windows honoring Mexican-American figures and Texas heritage, and for a stone grotto in the courtyard dedicated to La Virgen de San Juan de Los Lagos.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- St. Julia (Julia of Corsica), virgin and martyr
- Rector
- Rev. Efrain Villanueva
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin
Why belong here
St. Julia is a small, welcoming bilingual parish in East Austin with a strong Mexican-American heritage and a tight-knit feel. The parish offers Spanish and English Masses, a robust religious-education program for children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation, and active prayer and youth groups — including Renovación Carismática, Grupo de Jóvenes, Sociedad Guadalupanas and Danza Tonantzin — that make it easy to find a place to belong.
Mass times at St. Julia
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursdays during Holy Hour (6:00–7:00 PM)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursdays 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Holy Hour)
Parish Identity & History
St. Julia Catholic Church is a bilingual parish in the Govalle neighborhood of East Austin, founded on November 24, 1957 (the First Sunday of Advent) and affiliated with the Diocese of Austin. The parish describes itself as a Marian community whose mission is to proclaim the Word of God through the Eucharist, service, ministries, liturgy, and religious education. Its congregation is largely Mexican-American, and the parish welcomes everyone to its Spanish and English Masses and community events.
- Officially established November 24, 1957 (First Sunday of Advent)
- Located in the Govalle section of East Austin, Texas
- Founded by Rev. Peter Noble, who came from Luling
- Original building campaign included the church, parish hall, convent and school
- Largely Mexican-American and Hispanic community; bilingual worship
Mission, Vision & Patron
The parish's stated mission is to be people of faith, rich in heritage and prayer, who proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Eucharistic celebrations, service, ministries, liturgy, and religious education. St. Julia's is named for St. Julia of Corsica, a virgin and martyr whose feast day is celebrated on May 22 in the Roman Catholic calendar and who is venerated as patron of Corsica and Livorno.
- Mission: proclaim the Word of God through Eucharist, service, ministries, liturgy and religious education
- St. Julia of Corsica — virgin and martyr
- Feast of St. Julia: May 22
- Identifies as a Marian community
Pastoral Staff
The current pastor is Rev. Efrain Villanueva, who was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 2004 and was assigned to St. Julia as pastor by Bishop Vasquez, effective July 1. The parish secretary is Nancy Mesta. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Rev. Efrain Villanueva — Pastor (ordained June 12, 2004)
- Nancy Mesta — Secretary
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Sat 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Sun 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education Office prepares children for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. First Communion classes meet on Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, while Confirmation classes meet on Sundays at 11:00 AM. The RE office is open Saturday 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Sunday 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, and can be reached at [email protected].
- First Communion Classes — Saturdays 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Confirmation Classes — Sundays 11:00 AM
- Religious Education Office — Sat 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Sun 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Religious Education email: [email protected]
Ministries, Prayer & Youth Groups
St. Julia has an active schedule of prayer, youth, and devotional groups rooted in its Mexican-American Catholic identity. These groups meet on weekday evenings throughout the week and are a primary way parishioners connect to parish life.
- Grupo de Jóvenes (Youth Group) — Mondays 6:30 PM
- Cristo Renueva Su Parroquia — Mondays 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Sociedad Guadalupanas — Mondays
- Danza Tonantzin (liturgical dance) — Mondays 7:00 PM (contact Marcelina Leon, 512-998-5339)
- Divine Mercy Group — Thursdays 8:00 PM, after Holy Hour, Rooms 1 & 2
- Renovación Carismática — Fridays 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Campus, Architecture & Sacred Art
The 1957-built campus sits on the corner of Lyons Road and Tillery Street and includes a two-story brick parish hall, a U-shaped compound of classrooms and offices, and a tree-lined courtyard garden. The parish is a recognized architectural and cultural landmark in East Austin, especially for its stained-glass windows and Marian grotto.
- Two-story brick parish hall and U-shaped classroom/office compound
- 1985 half-domed stone grotto dedicated to La Virgen de San Juan de Los Lagos
- Eight stained-glass windows depicting Aztec iconography, Texas battle scenes and Mexican-American figures such as César Chávez, Dolores Huerta and Erasmo Seguín
- Mid-century minimalism with Spanish Mission influences
Visiting the Parish
St. Julia is located at 3010 Lyons Rd., Austin, Texas 78702, at the corner of Tillery Street. Directions from I-35: take 7th Street east, turn left onto Pleasant Valley Road, then right at the first stop sign onto Lyons Road; the parish will be on the left. The parish office can be reached at (512) 926-4186 (fax 512-926-7414) or [email protected].
- 3010 Lyons Rd., Austin, TX 78702
- Phone: (512) 926-4186; Fax: (512) 926-7414
- Email: [email protected]
- Directions: From I-35, east on 7th St, left on Pleasant Valley Rd, right at first stop sign onto Lyons Rd
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Peter Noble1955–c. early 1960s
First pastor and organizer of St. Julia; came to Austin from Luling and oversaw the building of the church, parish hall, convent and school.
- Rev. Steve Montenegroby 1968
Came from St. Joseph's Church in Rockdale; led a period of renewal focused on liturgy, children's religious education and youth ministry.
- Rev. Efrain Villanuevaeffective July 1 (current)
Ordained June 12, 2004; assigned as pastor by Bishop Vasquez.