Abilene, Texas, USA

In late 1962, plans were made for the construction of Central Catholic High School, with the school opening in the Fall of 1963. Unfortunately, however, the Catholic citizens of Abilene were unable to support an increasingly expensive educational enterprise. Central Catholic School (high school and elementary) finally closed in 1971. Shortly afterwards, the school facilities at 1600 Sherman Drive were utilized as Sacred Heart Catholic Center - a mission of the mother parish, Sacred Heart Church, located in downtown Abilene. Father James Bridges, then pastor of Sacred Heart, guided the development of the mission, with Father Thomas Diab named as the first Priest in Residence in 1972.

Shortly afterwards, the mission was renamed Holy Family Catholic Center, and in 1976 was established as an independent parish with Father Robert Kelly named as its first pastor. The new parish was blessed by Bishop Stephen Leven on Sunday, January 9, 1977, claiming a parish roster of 114 families. On September 1, 1982, Reverend Timothy J. Murphy became pastor of Holy Family Parish. Inasmuch as the parish was growing steadily, an immediate need became apparent: some provision had to be made for adequate worship facilities - a real church. One year later approval was received by the Most Reverend Bishop Fiorenza to sell the Sherman Drive property to St. John's Episcopal School. New property on Buffalo Gap Road was purchased, and in late August of 1983, the rectory and church offices were moved to that location. Worship services were held at the old St. John's School on Bowie Drive. Ground breaking for the new church was held in September of 1984.

When the commitment was made for the building of the new church, the pastor requested that the Parish Council establish an advisory committee to assist the architect in planning the new building. The Planning Committee invited Sister Mary Peter Tremonte, O.P., to serve as liturgical consultant for the new facilities. A sculptor and liturgical designer well-known throughout Texas, Sister Mary Peter was teacher and chairman of the Art Department at the Dominican College in Houston before adapting her talents to assist new and renovated churches in liturgical reforms. Holy Family is blessed with a magnificent collection of liturgical art designed by Sister Mary Peter.

On November 3, 1985, Holy Family Catholic Church at 5410 Buffalo Gap Road was dedicated by the Most Reverend Michael D. Pfeifer, Bishop of San Angelo. Monsignor Frederick Nawarskas was named pastor on July 1, 1996.

Holy Family Catholic Church - 5410 Buffalo Gap Road - Abilene, TX 79606

Phone: 325-692-1820   Fax: 325-698-5131

E-Mail: Church Office    E-Mail: Webmaster