Imagine families gathering not for a feast but for faith in 1964. This is the story of the Home of the Holy Spirit Church. It began humbly in San Antonio.
Archbishop Robert E Lucey established the Church of the Holy Spirit on August 12 1964. The first parishioners came from Blessed Sacrament and St Mary Magdalen parishes. Monsignor Bernard F Popp was the first pastor.
Initially services were held in the chapel of Mount Sacred Heart Convent. The first Mass occurred on August 15 1964. The first building was a rectory and chapel at 906 Mt Capote. Daily Mass was celebrated here.
Groundbreaking for a multi-purpose building occurred on August 23 1964. It was dedicated on November 22 1964. Weekends saw worship here. During the week it functioned as a school and meeting hall. The parish started with 500 families. It grew rapidly.
An addition was made in 1965. A school and rectory were constructed. Bishop Stephen A Leven blessed these buildings on August 28 1966.
Growth continued. In 1969 Father Alois Goertz proposed building a church. After planning the solemn blessing and dedication occurred on December 17 1972. The old church became a parish hall school office and learning center.
The Archdiocese created new parishes due to continued growth. Over 300 families joined St Mark Parish in 1976. Another 800 families joined St Francis of Assisi Parish in 1980. Still Home of the Holy Spirit Church grew. In 1984 membership surpassed 1100 families.
In 1982 under Msgr Lawrence Walsh planning began for a Family Center. It included a banquet room cafeteria and gymnasium. There was also a library administrative offices and classrooms. The dedication was held on December 1 1985.
Two years later the second floor was completed. Additional classrooms and meeting rooms became available. At that time Holy Spirit parish had 1400 registered households.
When Holy Spirit increased to 1900 families the worship space was inadequate. Renovation of the Church building began in August 1992. Seating increased from 750 to 1000. Updated liturgical directives were implemented.
The sculpture shows the descent of the Holy Spirit. It is on the façade to express the parish’s name. Archbishop Patrick Flores dedicated the renovated church on August 8 1993. At its completion parish membership reached 2100 families.
In 1998 a two-level addition was completed. The upper level included parish offices and a second cafeteria. The lower level housed middle school classrooms and a computer lab. The open ground level provided parking. At the completion of this project parish membership grew to 3100 families.
In 2004 the parish needed to expand again. Plans were approved for a three-phase project. It included a new residence for priests additional parking and athletic fields.
Additional property was purchased. One house was demolished for the new rectory. This residence was dedicated in September 2004. The demolition of three houses provided 88 parking spaces. With its completion in September 2005 the parish had 418 parking spaces.
The sports complex consists of a baseball field softball field and football/soccer field. The West Avenue Fields were dedicated in April 2006.
Future plans include a separate Pastoral Office building. Renovation of current offices will provide additional classrooms. This is to better serve the 4700 registered households.
In 2012 Spirit Park was created. It provides playground facilities basketball pads and picnic areas. It’s a space for fellowship and neighborhood recreation.
Today the Home of the Holy Spirit Church stands as a testament to faith. It shows community growth and commitment over decades. It is a beacon of spirituality in San Antonio.