On December 15, 1958, Father Clemente Grzenia, M.S.F. was sent here to promote and encourage the development of the community. There was no rectory. With the help of Father Charles Zeyen, the MSF Chaplain of the Harlingen State T.B. Hospital, Father Clemente moved into apartment #238 of the Los Vecinos Housing Project, right across from the church.
A few days later, his first assistant, Father John Zymela arrived. On January 2, 1959 together they took a census of the parish. After nine months of steady knocking on doors, they identified 831 Catholic Families, equaling 4,578 souls. 586 families lived around the church and 245 lived beyond the Arroyo Colorado.