About St. Thomas the Apostle · Huntsville, Texas
St. Thomas the Apostle is a medium-sized, bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic parish serving Huntsville, Texas and Walker County, in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The parish's story reaches back to the 1840s, when priests from Galveston and Houston first began visiting inmates at the Texas prisons near Huntsville. The community grew through World War II ministry to German POWs and to students at Sam Houston State University, was formally organized as a mission, and in 1964 — under Father Jack Jones — built its present church on 16th Street and was granted parish status, with Father Joseph O'Brien, O.M.I., as first pastor. Today the parish offers daily and Sunday Mass (including a Spanish Mass and a student Mass tied to the SHSU academic calendar), Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, faith formation from Pre-K through 12th grade, and a range of lay ministries.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Frederick W. Valone (Fr. Fred)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle is a welcoming bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic community in the heart of Huntsville that grows around the Eucharist and reaches out beyond its walls. Parishioners find a complete sacramental life here — daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, four Sunday Masses (including a Spanish Mass and a student Mass during the SHSU semester), weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and regular Reconciliation — alongside faith formation for every age (Pre-K through 12th grade), active lay ministries such as the Knights of Columbus and Parish Pastoral Council, and outreach to those in need. It is also the Catholic home of the Sam Houston State University community, with a dedicated Sunday evening student Mass during fall and spring semesters.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (ends promptly at 5:00 PM)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (church open for personal prayer until 2:00 PM)
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (church open for personal prayer)
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (church open for personal prayer)
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (church open for private prayer)
History of St. Thomas the Apostle
Catholic life in Huntsville reaches back to 1848, when priests from Galveston and Houston began visiting inmates of the Texas prisons in the Huntsville area. In 1910 Rev. Peter Tonson, an Oblate priest, was appointed permanent chaplain for the prison system, and local Catholics began attending Mass at the prison. During World War II, Father Herman Vincent visited German POWs and started offering an afternoon Mass on the Sam Houston State University campus for the small local Catholic community, which began raising funds to build its own church.
- 1848: Priests from Galveston and Houston begin prison visits in Huntsville.
- 1910: Rev. Peter Tonson, O.M.I., appointed permanent prison chaplain.
- WWII era: Fr. Herman Vincent begins campus Mass for the local Catholic community.
- December 25, 1946: First Mass celebrated in the moved/restored Protestant church building at 17th Street and Avenue N.
- Until 1951: Mission of Sacred Heart, Conroe.
- 1951–1964: Mission of St. Joseph, New Waverly.
- 1964: Property acquired on 16th Street; present church built; parish status granted; Rev. Joseph O'Brien, O.M.I., named first pastor.
- 1964–1986: Administered by the Oblate Fathers (O.M.I.).
- 1986: Diocesan priests take charge of the parish.
Parish Leadership & Staff
St. Thomas the Apostle is pastored by Rev. Frederick W. Valone ('Fr. Fred'), whose welcome message frames the parish as a medium-sized, bilingual faith community gathered around the Eucharist. Parish operations are supported by Parish Secretary Sylvia Vitela, and lay leadership is exercised through the Parish Pastoral Council, which is established in accordance with Canon 536 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the Diocesan Norms for Pastoral Councils.
- Rev. Frederick W. Valone — Pastor (Fr. Fred)
- Sylvia Vitela — Parish Secretary
- Parish Pastoral Council: Fr. Fred Valone (Ex-Officio); Chairman Michael Huff; Recorder Jane Presley; Members Salomon Bravo and Jesus Lara
- Contact the Council: [email protected] or (936) 295-8159
A Welcome from Fr. Fred
In his on-site welcome, Fr. Fred describes St. Thomas the Apostle as 'a medium-sized, bilingual (English and Spanish) faith community who seek to be strengthened through the celebration of the sacraments, and most especially through the celebration of the Eucharist, in order to fulfill our vocation as ambassadors of Christ.' The vision he articulates is grounded in the Last Supper — a community in which 'all vie for the lowest place, wash one another's feet, lift up rather than impose burdens, and dwell among their sisters and brothers as those who serve' (Sister Sandra Schneiders).
- Growth through the Eucharist, the 'summit and fountain of the life of the Church.'
- Faith formation programs for all ages.
- Ministerial outreach to those in need.
- Compassionate presence and care for those dealing with loss.
- Social activities that celebrate life as members of the Body of Christ.
Mass & Sacramental Schedule
The parish celebrates a full weekly schedule of Masses in both English and Spanish, daily weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday, and four Sunday Masses. Confessions are heard twice weekly, and Eucharistic Adoration is offered on Tuesdays through Fridays with the church open for personal prayer. Several Masses are also livestreamed from the parish website.
- Weekend Masses: Sat 5:30 PM (English, Rosary 5:00 PM); Sun 7:45 AM, 10:45 AM (livestreamed), 12:30 PM Spanish (livestreamed), 5:30 PM Student Mass.
- Weekday Masses: Tue–Fri 8:30 AM (Rosary at 8:10 AM).
- Reconciliation: Tue 4:00–5:00 PM; Sat 4:00–5:00 PM (ends promptly at 5:00 PM).
- Adoration: Tue 9:00–11:00 AM (church open until 2:00 PM); Wed/Thu/Fri 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.
- Rosary: 8:10 AM before daily Mass Tue–Fri; 5:00 PM before Saturday Mass.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Thomas the Apostle spans every age and is offered in both English and Spanish. The parish runs ongoing Adult Faith Formation offerings (including a published Summer 2025 series), elementary faith formation (CCE) for Pre-K through 8th grade in English, and a parallel Spanish-language track — CCE Elementaria en Español — for the same age group.
- Adult Faith Formation — ongoing offerings (e.g. Summer 2025 series).
- Faith Formation / CCE — Pre-K through 8th grade (English).
- Formación de Fe / CCE Elementaria en Español — Pre-K through 8th grade (Spanish).
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The parish has an active high school ministry and connects young adults to the wider Archdiocesan Young Adult Ministry. STAY Youth Night gathers 9th–12th graders on Wednesday evenings to build community and grow in love of God and His Church, and the parish points young adults toward the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston's YACM events such as Magnify at St. Mary's Seminary.
- STAY Youth Night — 9th–12th grades, Wednesday evenings (registration required).
- Young Adult Ministry — Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston YACM connection.
- Magnify (formerly Archdiocesan Young Adult Day) — referenced as a regional event for young adults.
Parish Life, Outreach & Organizations
Beyond the sacraments, the parish supports a variety of lay-led groups that shape its community life. The Knights of Columbus meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, the Parish Pastoral Council provides lay leadership under Canon 536, and the parish also runs Spiritual Growth and Parish Life activities that bring parishioners together socially. Outreach to those in need — and a 'compassionate presence' for those dealing with loss — is named explicitly as part of Fr. Fred's pastoral vision.
- Knights of Columbus — meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays; contact Fred Guillory, 936-295-0267.
- Parish Pastoral Council — established under Canon 536 and 1987 Diocesan Norms.
- Spiritual Growth programs.
- Parish Life social activities.
- Ministerial outreach to those in need.
- Compassionate presence and care for those dealing with loss.
Sam Houston State University Connection
Because of Huntsville's identity as a college town, the parish specifically ministers to the SHSU community. The Sunday 5:30 PM Mass is labeled a Student Mass and is celebrated only during the SHSU Fall and Spring semesters — there is no Student Mass during Christmas, Spring, or Summer breaks.
- Sunday 5:30 PM Mass — Student Mass during SHSU fall and spring semesters only.
- Parish roots include WWII-era campus Masses at Sam Houston State University.
Visit, Contact & Online Giving
St. Thomas the Apostle is located at 1323 16th Street in Huntsville, Texas, with parish offices reachable at (936) 295-8159 (fax 936-295-3543) and by email through Fr. Fred at [email protected]. The parish web site offers online giving, livestreamed Sunday Masses (10:45 AM English and 12:30 PM Spanish), and Fr. Fred's recorded homily.
- Address: 1323 16th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340-4431.
- Phone: (936) 295-8159; Fax: (936) 295-3543.
- Email: [email protected].
- Website: saintthomashuntsville.org — Online Giving and homily audio available.
- Livestreamed Masses: Sunday 10:45 AM (English) and 12:30 PM (Spanish).
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Herman Vincent, O.M.I.1940s (WWII)
Oblate priest who began offering an afternoon Mass on the Sam Houston State University campus for the small local Catholic community while visiting German POWs in the Huntsville area.
- Father Jack Jones
Under his pastorate, property was acquired on 16th Street and the present church was built in 1964; the mission received parish status that same year.
- Rev. Joseph O'Brien, O.M.I.1964–
Named the first pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle when it received parish status in 1964. The Oblate Fathers administered the parish from 1964 until 1986.