“Nuestra Casa es Su Casa” meaning “Our Home is Your Home.” That’s the motto of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. It reflects the welcoming spirit of this community.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church has a rich history here in Houston. It stands as a beacon of faith and community. This church wasn’t just a place of worship. It became a cornerstone for Mexican-Americans in the city.
Back in 1910 Houston lacked Mexican Catholic churches. Mexicans faced discrimination in Anglo Catholic churches. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Galveston stepped in. They sent the Oblates of Mary Immaculate to serve Houston’s Mexican population.
Our Lady of Guadalupe opened in 1912. The first mass was held on August 18, 1912. It took place in a two-story frame facility. The Catholic Church Extension Society gifted it to them. Father Robert Chatillon was the first celebrant. The church was upstairs. The Catholic school was downstairs.
The Roman Catholic Church established Our Lady of Guadalupe to avoid racial tensions. White people were accustomed to segregation. They might have taken offense at the presence of Mexican people in their churches.
In the 1920s Louisiana Creole people attended Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was the closest church to Frenchtown. However, the church treated the Creole people poorly. They were forced to confess and take communion last. They also had to sit in the back pews. So, the Creoles built their own church. Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church opened in 1929.
As more Mexican-Americans settled in Houston, Our Lady of Guadalupe flourished. People traveled from all over to worship here. Father Esteban de Anta was the first Spanish-speaking priest. He arrived in 1919. A new church facility opened in 1923. Leo M.J. Dielmann designed it in the Lombard Romanesque style. The old church became a school and social hall.
The Oblate priests served Our Lady of Guadalupe for many years. In 1973, the Priests of the Sacred Heart took over. In the 1980s, Our Lady of Guadalupe became a territorial parish. It adopted geographic boundaries. Despite the changes, it remained heavily Mexican-American.
Our Lady of Guadalupe School is the oldest Catholic elementary school in Houston. It opened September 8, 1912. That was one month after the church’s first mass. Today, the school has over 500 students. They come from over 30 ZIP codes.
Historically, Our Lady of Guadalupe held vibrant bazaars. Popular bands played at these events. In the 1930s, Ventura Alonzo and Lydia Mendoza performed here.
In 1991, a State Historical Marker was dedicated outside the church. It recognized Our Lady of Guadalupe’s role in the Mexican-American community.
Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrated 100 years of masses on August 18, 2012. Today, it continues to serve over 3,500 families. Many masses are still held in Spanish. The surrounding neighborhood remains predominantly Hispanic. Our Lady of Guadalupe is more than just a church. It is a symbol of faith. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of Houston’s Mexican-American community.