About St. Mary · Jacksboro, Texas
St. Mary Catholic Church is a small bilingual parish in Jacksboro, Texas — the county seat of Jack County — serving the Catholic faithful of this rural North Texas community as part of the Jack and Wise Catholic Community tri-parish with Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Decatur and St. John the Baptizer in Bridgeport. The parish traces its roots back to pioneer Catholic families who settled Jacksboro in the late 1800s, and the present church, on State Highway 148, was built after the original structure burned in December 1979 and was dedicated in October 1982 by Bishop Joseph P. Delaney of the Fort Worth diocese. Today St. Mary's offers a Sunday evening bilingual Mass, Sunday evening Reconciliation, and a range of ministries shared across the tri-parish community.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Anto Vijayan Carloose, SAC
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Why belong here
St. Mary in Jacksboro offers a warm, bilingual Catholic home where pioneer-rooted Anglo and Hispanic families worship together at Sunday evening Mass, with Reconciliation offered beforehand. As part of the Jack and Wise Catholic Community tri-parish with Decatur and Bridgeport, parishioners benefit from a shared pastor, parochial vicar, and three deacons, along with a robust slate of ministries — RCIA, adult formation in English and Spanish, Youth Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Altar Servers, Quinceañera preparation, and Parish Life — all rooted in the Fort Worth diocese.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Adoration: Call Parish Office
Welcome to St. Mary, Jacksboro
St. Mary Catholic Church is one of three parishes of the Jack and Wise Catholic Community, alongside Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Decatur and St. John the Baptizer in Bridgeport. The parish extends a 'Hearty Welcome to the St. Mary Catholic Community' and invites visitors and newcomers to grow in faith with the tri-parish family. Bilingual Sunday evening Mass and Reconciliation are the regular points of gathering at the Jacksboro church.
- Part of the Jack and Wise Catholic Community tri-parish
- Sunday Mass: 5:00 PM (Bilingual)
- Reconciliation: Sunday 4:30 PM
- Located at 1186 State Highway 148, Jacksboro, TX 76458
Parish History
Catholic life in Jacksboro goes back to the 1890s, when pioneer families like the Murphys, Schneiders, Myers, Knoxes, Risieys and Johnsons hosted visiting missionary priests from Fort Worth and Henrietta. Father Burns celebrated Mass only once or twice a year from 1891 to 1896; Father Goessens began keeping sacramental records in 1899; Father Kline built the first church in 1912; and after periods of home-based worship and a fire in 1979, the present Highway 148 church was built and dedicated by Bishop Joseph P. Delaney in October 1982.
- First baptism recorded: George Stephen Risiey, March 26, 1901
- First marriage recorded: John P. Hoefle and Josephine Schneider, Sept 8, 1917 (Rev. C.A. Drieling)
- First confirmation: Bishop J.P. Lynch of Dallas, 1912 or 1913
- First church completed c. 1912, cost about $2,100, land donated by Dennis Murphy
- 1945: College Street church built by Father Ed Devers
- 1954: new organ, evaporative cooler, roof and furnishings under Father Glogowski
- December 1979: original church destroyed by fire under Father Albert Neinatt
- Easter Sunday 1982: first Mass in the new church (card-table altar)
- October 1982: new church dedicated by Bishop Joseph P. Delaney of Fort Worth
- 1993: forms tri-parish with Decatur and Bridgeport
Clergy & Staff
St. Mary's is shepherded along with the other two parishes of the Jack and Wise Catholic Community by a Pallottine pastor and parochial vicar, supported by three deacons. The central parish office is shared across the tri-parish and is open weekdays in Jacksboro.
- Pastor: Rev. Anto Vijayan Carloose, SAC
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. David Amal Raj Maria, SAC
- Deacon: Dcn. Mauricio Hernandez
- Deacon: Dcn. Eldon Gray
- Deacon: Dcn. Myles Miller, Jr.
- Parish office phone: 940-683-2743
- Email: [email protected]
Sacraments
The tri-parish community prepares and celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Spanish-language guidance is provided alongside English on every sacrament page.
- Baptism (children 6 and under): preparation class, birth certificate, godparent documents
- Baptism (children 7–17): preparation class plus Baptism Retreat (June and October)
- Marriage: contact office at least 9 months before proposed wedding date
- Quinceañera: contact Modesto and Juanita Romero for information
Faith Formation & Education
Faith formation at the parish covers both adults and youth, with classes held primarily at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Decatur but open to members of all three parishes.
- RCIA for Adults — Sundays at Assumption; contact Deacon Myles or Fr. Anto, or Luly Duran at 940-683-2743
- Estudio de la Biblia (Bible Study) — Sundays 11:45 AM–12:45 PM and Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 PM at ABVM; leader Lilly Jimenez
- No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ's Passion — Thursdays, Feb 15–Mar 21, 9:30–11:00 AM and 6:30–8:00 PM at ABVM; contact Howard Biel, [email protected] / 940-255-8317
- Youth Ministry — seeking adult volunteers (18+) to guide teens
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. Mary's has a robust network of lay ministries and organizations shared across the tri-parish, rooted in service, formation and parish life. Volunteers and parish leaders can be contacted through the parish office.
- Altar Servers — boys and girls who have made their First Communion; contact Paula Garner, 817-821-2242
- Catholic Daughters of America
- Knights of Columbus
- Outreach Ministry
- Parish Life — includes Hospitality Outreach to welcome new parishioners; contacts Pam Gray, Vicky Gasper, Luly Duran and Casey White
- Quinceañera preparation — contact Modesto and Juanita Romero
Jack and Wise Catholic Community
St. Mary's is part of the tri-parish Jack and Wise Catholic Community, which includes Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Decatur and St. John the Baptizer in Bridgeport. The three parishes share clergy and staff and operate with a central office; the central office and rectory are at Bridgeport. The community belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth.
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — Decatur
- St. John the Baptizer — Bridgeport
- St. Mary — Jacksboro
- Diocese: Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth (www.fwdioc.org)
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Mary. The parish office can be reached by phone, fax, or email, and parishioners are encouraged to connect through the parish's many ministries — from Hospitality Outreach to Bible Study, Quinceañera preparation, RCIA, and Youth Ministry.
- Phone: 940-683-2743
- Fax: 940-683-5958
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1186 State Hwy 148, Jacksboro, TX 76458
- Office hours (Jacksboro): Mon/Wed/Thu 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:30 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–1:00 PM; Tue/Sat/Sun Closed
- Hospitality Outreach contacts: Pam Gray, Vicky Gasper, Luly Duran, Casey White
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Burns1891–1896
First missionary to serve Jacksboro, based in Fort Worth; celebrated Mass only once or twice a year due to poor transportation.
- Father Goessensc. 1899–c. 1911
Of Henrietta; began sacramental records in 1899 and celebrated Mass about four times a year at the turn of the century.
- Father Klinec. 1911 onward
Of Henrietta; began construction of the first church in 1911 (completed c. 1912) and was the first resident pastor.
- Father Ed Devers1945
Constructed the church on College Street.
- Father Casimir Glogowskiafter 1945
Said Mass every Sunday and Holy Days; oversaw 1954 improvements including new organ, evaporative cooler, roof, furnishings and vestments.
- Father Albert Neinatt1979
Pastor when the church burned in December 1979; became ill before the new church was completed.
- Father William Winoski1982
Took over from Fr. Neinatt; presided at the dedication of the new St. Mary's Church in October 1982.
- Rev. Gonzo Morales1993 onward
Shepherded the new tri-parish arrangement with Decatur and Bridgeport; ordained Art Casias of Jacksboro as a deacon.