About St. Philip · China Spring, Texas
St. Philip is a Catholic mission church located in the rural community of China Spring, Texas, in McLennan County just west of Waco. It is a small faith community served by the pastor of nearby St. Louis Parish in Waco and belongs to the Diocese of Austin. The mission gathers parishioners for weekly Sunday Mass and offers adult faith formation, a pro-life ministry, and ongoing community fellowship rooted in the values of the Roman Catholic tradition.
- Patron
- St. Philip (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Daheim (Pastor of St. Louis Parish, Waco, and St. Philip Mission, China Spring, effective July 6, 2026)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin
Why belong here
St. Philip Mission offers a welcoming, small-town Catholic community in China Spring for families and individuals seeking Sunday Mass and fellowship without the pace of a larger parish. Members grow in faith through Adult Formation (RCIA) and Bishop Barron's reflections, and they live out the Gospel of life through the Prolife Ministry's partnership with Prolife Waco, Care Net Pregnancy Center, Baylor Bears for Life, and the 40 Days for Life campaigns each fall and spring.
Mass times at St. Philip
Weekly Mass schedule
About St. Philip Catholic Mission
St. Philip is a Catholic mission church serving the rural China Spring community just west of Waco, Texas. The mission belongs to the Diocese of Austin and shares its pastor with St. Louis Parish in Waco. The community gathers for weekly Sunday Mass and offers parishioners opportunities for adult faith formation and pro-life outreach in the heart of McLennan County.
- Diocese of Austin mission church
- Located on Old China Spring Road
- Shares pastoral leadership with St. Louis Parish, Waco
- Roman-Latin Rite
History and Pastoral Succession
St. Philip Mission has long served as the Catholic presence in China Spring under the care of St. Louis Parish in Waco. As part of Summer 2026 priest personnel changes, Bishop Daniel E. Garcia appointed Rev. Joseph Daheim as Pastor of St. Louis Parish in Waco and St. Philip Mission in China Spring, effective July 6, 2026, succeeding Rev. John Guzaldo who was reassigned to St. Anthony Marie de Claret Parish in Kyle. The mission continues to function as a small but active Catholic community within the diocese.
- Pastored by St. Louis Parish, Waco
- Reverend John Guzaldo — former pastor
- Reverend Joseph Daheim — appointed pastor July 6, 2026
- Diocese of Austin priest personnel changes, Summer 2026
Faith Formation and Adult Education
St. Philip supports ongoing Catholic formation for adults in the parish. The Adult Formation program prepares those entering the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and welcomes Catholics seeking to deepen their faith. The parish also shares Bishop Robert Barron's daily Gospel reflections to enrich parish reflection and study.
- Adult Formation / RCIA
- Bp. Barron's Reflections
Prolife Ministry
St. Philip's Prolife Ministry works in close partnership with Prolife Waco, a locally-based Christian organization focused on defending the unborn, supporting women's health care, and promoting a culture of life. The ministry also collaborates with Care Net Pregnancy Center, Baylor Bears for Life, and other area churches, and takes part in the 40 Days for Life campaigns each fall and spring.
- Partners with Prolife Waco
- Partners with Care Net Pregnancy Center
- Partners with Baylor Bears for Life
- Participates in 40 Days for Life (fall and spring)
Sacraments
As a mission of the Diocese of Austin, St. Philip prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and full initiation into the Catholic Church through RCIA. Specific preparation requirements and scheduling should be arranged through the parish office.
- Baptism preparation
- Marriage preparation
- RCIA for adult initiation
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Philip Mission at the parish office on Old China Spring Road. The mission encourages new visitors to introduce themselves and to sign up for Flocknotes for the weekly bulletin and announcements.
- 13095 Old China Spring Road, China Spring, TX 76633
- Phone: (254) 836-1825
- Email: [email protected]
- Weekly bulletin via Flocknotes signup
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John GuzaldoPrior to July 2026
Listed as Pastor of St. Philip Mission prior to 2026 reassignment by the Diocese of Austin.
- Rev. Joseph DaheimEffective July 6, 2026
Announced by Bishop Daniel E. Garcia as Pastor of St. Louis Parish, Waco, and St. Philip Mission, China Spring, as part of Summer 2026 priest personnel changes.