Since 1849. the Oblates of the Immaculate Heart of Mary had kept alive the Catholic faith among the Spanish citizens along the Rio Grande from Brownsville to Laredo, Texas. 

In 1949, a frame building with a capacity to seat 300 persons was moved from downtown Harlingen to this location. The first part of the building was built in 1910 and other parts were added as time went by; but it had been the first Catholic Church in Harlingen.

The building was used as a mission chapel, where the Oblates celebrated mass to the mostly low socio-economic community consisting of farmers, laborers and small business people in and around Harlingen. 

During the glorious pontificate of the Most Holy Pope Jon XXIII, the Most Reverend Mariano S. Garriga, Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas called on the Missionaries of the Holy Family to be in Charge of the newly established parish of OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION.
 

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.

Like everyone else, Father Clemente worked hard. He wasted little time explaining the Gospel expectation that we were all called to "prepare the way of the Lord." The Parishioners were encouraged to continue the religious traditions, to pray together, to celebrate the feast of the year and to take responsibility for the development of the faith in this "rinconcito de la tierra."

As always, the parishioners responded enthusiastically. The community's love for the Lord was seen especially in its concern for the religious formation of the children of the parish. On February 4, 1960, the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, or CCD was canonically established according to the manual and had 350 children enrolled in preparation for sacraments. Seven years later 550 school children, from first to twelfth grades, were regularly attending religious instruction provided for by a staff of 54 members. A Catholic Youth Organization, the "Santo Nombre Society, the Guadalupanas and the Alter Society were established. Our Lady of the Assumption was most active in the society; all working for the spiritual and material welfare of the parish. 
​
On July 31, 1966, the late Bishop Humberto S. Mederios, second Bishop of the Brownsville Diocese, blessed the ground for the new church. Approximately 450 persons were present at this happy event. C. F. Koen Construction Company of Edinburg, Texas began construction feet, the seating capacity, including the choir loft, was 650 and the entire cost came to $100,000. Indeed, it was a worthy monument of these good people for the greater honor of God in this section of the vineyard of the Lord and of the noble city of Harlingen, Texas. After many meetings, planning and a good deal of sweat, the new church was dedicated on May 28, 1967.

---

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.

​

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 partnership with Jesus.