The Mission
The Mission of the San Antonio and Texas is to further the study of the history of Catholic Church in San Antonio and Texas, with a focus on the Latino experience and a special, though not exclusive, interest in parish history, life and culture. It fosters faculty and student reach projects, promotes the collection and digitizing of parish histories and sponsors seminars. These endeavors seek a deeper appreciation of the work of Church leaders and the faithful in preserving and enhancing the Catholic faith tradition in the city and region.
West Side San Antonio Parish Initiative
This inaugural program focuses on the history of the Catholic parishes on San Antonio’s West Side. Their origin, growth, and importance in the cultural and spiritual development of the city’s largest Mexican American barrio. The first step involves documenting the history through the development of an digital archive to be hosted on St. Mary’s Center of Catholic Studies website. Activities include research in archives of the archdiocese, in religious community archives such as Oblates, Claretians, and Jesuits and parish archives. Also important are compiling oral histories with parishioners and religious and digitizing the documentary records and photographs of the parish community members who may be willing to share. A second activity will involve interpreting and disseminating the historical documentation in scholarly articles, public history formats such as Story maps, and local and regional conferences.
Inaugural Event
On Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, the Center for Catholic Studies will bring together scholars and lay and religious members of San Antonio’s Westside parishes interested in documenting parish histories for a consultation. Principal investigators Gerald Poyo, Ph.D. and Gilberto Hinojosa, Ph.D., with support of Center for Catholic Studies, will lay the groundwork for the convocation which will involve identifying participants, establishing relationships with parishes, learning about their archival holdings and introducing St. Mary’s Center for Catholic Studies to the surrounding community. More information will be coming soon.
Advisory Board
Sr. Angela Erevia
Fr. David Garcia
Gilberto Hinojosa, Ph.D., co-chair
Gerald Poyo, Ph.D., co-chair
Mrs. Natalia Tovar
Fr. Robert Wright, OM
Archives
More information on digital archives for this project will be coming soon.