About St. Mary · Bremond, Texas
St. Mary's Catholic Church (also referred to as Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception) is a small Catholic parish in Bremond, Texas, founded in 1876 to serve Polish settlers who came to Robertson County in that decade. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Austin and is currently staffed by the Missionaries of Faith (MF). Today the parish offers daily and Sunday Masses in English, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a lively parish life that includes an annual Fall Festival, May Crowning, Knights of Columbus involvement, and visits from mission groups such as the Jerusalem Group.
- Established
- 1876
- Patron
- Saint Mary / Blessed Virgin Mary (Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Fr. Celso Yu, MF (Pastor, Missionaries of Faith)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a small, historically Polish-American parish where daily Mass is the norm — six days a week, including a Tuesday evening Mass and a Wednesday Mass celebrated with students during the school year. Confessions are conveniently heard 30 minutes before every Mass, and Saturday evening Mass is preceded by Eucharistic Adoration at 5:30 PM. The parish has a strong sense of community, with annual traditions like the Fall Festival and May Crowning, Knights of Council scholarship fundraisers, school involvement, and visits from groups like the Jerusalem Group — making it a welcoming, family-oriented home for Catholics in the Bremond area.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every Mass
Adoration times
- Saturday 5:30 PM (Adoration of the Holy Eucharist precedes the 6:30 PM Mass)
Parish History
St. Mary's was founded in 1876 to serve Polish Catholic settlers like Jozef Bartula and his family, who came to Bremond in 1875. A first wooden church was built in 1878–1879, and by 1908 Rev. Ignatius Szymanski had overseen construction of the brick Gothic church designed by Sanguinet and Staats. After dangerous cracks developed, the 1908 church was torn down in 1970 and the present modern church — incorporating Vatican II reforms — was dedicated on 13 June 1971.
- Founded 1876 to serve Polish settlers
- First wooden church built 1878–1879 ($1,200, 50×25 ft)
- Brick Gothic church designed by Sanguinet and Staats; built by Belger & Flume of Austin
- 1908 church dedicated 17 February 1909 by Bishop N.A. Gallagher (125×62 ft)
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (1969); THC marker at FM 2954 and FM 2413
- Demolished 1970; modern church dedicated 13 June 1971
- Annual homecoming bazaar draws descendants of Bremond's Polish founders
- Records microfilmed at the Texas Catholic Archives, Austin
Architecture & Historic Landmark
The 1908 brick church that stood for over 60 years was Gothic in style and was recognized in 1969 as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. When it had to be demolished in 1970, the parish carefully preserved the baptismal font, sacred art, sanctuary lamp, and the cast-bronze bells St. Ignatius, St. Albert, and St. Louis — all of which were re-installed in the new 1971 sanctuary.
- Architectural style (1908 building): Gothic
- Architects: Sanguinet and Staats
- Contractors: Belger & Flume of Austin
- Dimensions: 125 ft × 62 ft
- Preserved relics: 1879 baptismal font, sanctuary lamp, bells St. Ignatius / St. Albert / St. Louis
Parish Staff
St. Mary's is served by the Missionaries of Faith (MF) congregation. The parish office is staffed during the week and a parish secretary handles inquiries.
- Fr. Celso Yu, MF — Pastor
- Fr. Richard Dee Du, MF — Associate Pastor
- Tabitha Griffin — Secretary / Office Manager / Bookkeeper
- Linda Antis — Director of Religious Education (DRE)
Religious Education & Sacraments
Faith formation for the parish's children is coordinated by DRE Linda Antis. Sacramental preparation materials (Baptism registration, Godparent Covenant, Annulment Form) are available on the parish website.
- Director of Religious Education: Linda Antis
- Baptism Registration form available on website
- Baptism-Godparent Covenant form available on website
- Annulment Form available on website
- Anointing of the Sick covered on website
Parish Life & Events
St. Mary's combines traditional Polish-Catholic devotional life with active community fundraisers and visits from outside mission groups.
- Annual Fall Festival (parish-wide fundraiser)
- May Crowning (annual Marian devotion)
- Graduate recognition each year
- Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program (raffle ticket sales)
- Jerusalem Group visits (selling olive-wood articles to support poor Christians in Jerusalem)
Giving & Stewardship
Parishioners may tithe weekly or donate to parish projects online through the parish's contribution link.
- Online weekly tithe / SM Project donations
- EncounteringChristCampaign.org participation
- Parish Census forms available on website
Diocese & Religious Community
St. Mary's is a parish of the Diocese of Austin within the BCS Deanery, currently served by the Missionaries of Faith (MF). The website links to the Diocese of Austin and to MF resources.
- Diocese of Austin
- BCS Deanery
- Served by the Missionaries of Faith (MF)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Mosiewicz1876–1887
Founding pastor; ordained in Galveston 1875 for the Galveston Diocese; built the first wooden church (1878–79).
- Rev. Casimir Polujanski1881–1887
Second pastor; transferred from assistant role under Mosiewicz.
- Rev. Peter Litwora1888–1896
Arrived from Poland (Diocese of Tarnów); enlarged the first church.
- Rev. Francis Machan1904
- Rev. Anthony Kirpajtis (A. Krypajtis)1906
Died 1907; began raising funds toward a new brick church.
- Rev. Ignatius Szymanski1908–1941
33-year pastorate; oversaw construction of the 1908 Gothic brick church (dedicated 1909 by Bishop N.A. Gallagher).
- Rev. Stanley Kmiecik1941–1959
- Rev. John Witucki1959–1967
- Rev. Louis Wozniak1967–c.1970s
Oversaw demolition of the historic brick church (1970) due to dangerous cracks.
- Rev. Michal Krol1973
- Rev. Boleslaus Zientek1974
- Rev. Andrew Williamsenuntil 1988
- Rev. Richard Tijerina
Succeeded Williamsen.
- Msgr. Marion Atomanczykuntil 1992
Native son of Bremond; served until his death in 1992.
- Rev. David Leibhamuntil end of 1994
- Rev. Jozef Musiol1995–
Native of Poland; came to serve St. Mary in 1995.
- Fr. Celso Yu, MFcurrent
Current pastor, Missionaries of Faith.