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History of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church
During the glorious pontificate of Pope Jon XXIII, the Most Reverend Mariano S. Garriga, Bishop of Corpus Christi, called on the Missionaries of the Holy Family to be in Charge of the newly established parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Harlingen, Texas.
The Assumption Church used to be a mission chapel attended by the Oblates of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, who since 1849 have kept alive the faith among the Spanish-speakers along the Rio Grande from Brownsville to Laredo.
The first part of this odd looking church was built in 1910 and other parts were added in the course of time. It was the first Catholic church in downtown and was moved to this location in 1949. It is a frame building and has a seating capacity of 300 persons. Its parishioners were of the low-income class, having come in from farms and other smaller towns of the Rio Grande Valley and of Mexico to work in the various industries and businesses in Harlingen.
On December 15, 1958, Father Clemente Grzenia, M.S.F. was sent to this parish as its first pastor. There was no rectory. On January 2, 1959, the padres started taking up the census of the parish. After nine months of steady knocking at the doors this was the result: 831 Catholic families or 4578 souls; 586 living around the Assumption Church and 245 beyond the Arroyo Colorado and 157 fallen away or 800 souls lost to the Faith due to ignorance of religion or due to financial help of non-catholic religions.
Mission
Our Lady of the Assumption/San Felipe Parish, a Roman Catholic Christian community rich in diversity, is committed to follow Jesus’ example by living and sharing His word through acts of love and service to others as modeled by our Blessed Mother, Mary. We will be empowered by the word of God, nourished by the Holy Eucharist, and made courageous by the Holy Spirit.
We are dedicated to welcome, support, and reconcile individuals and families throughout the various phases of life. With God’s grace, we will create an environment of harmonious unity and fellowship through evangelization, outreach, worship, and service. As disciples, we will promote strong inclusive ministries to build partnerships with Jesus.
Vision
Our Lady of the Assumption/San Felipe Parish will fulfill its mission by harmoniously embracing the community near and far to:- be formed and strengthened in the teaching of the Roman Catholic faith through evangelization.
- be centered in prayer and worship
- be nourished though the word of God, prayer, and sacraments
- be caring to the sick, poor, and vulnerable of the parish community and the world at large.
- transform individuals, families, and the general parish community and the world at large.
- be committed to the development of stewardship and leadership.