Here is St. Michael Catholic Church’s story a tale of faith community and resilience. St. Michael Catholic Church began as the center of the third oldest parish in San Antonio Texas. It became a nucleus for the city’s Polish people.
It all started with Father Vincent Barzynski’s arrival a Resurrectionist priest. On November 18 1866 the first Mass was celebrated in San Fernando Cathedral. St. Michael’s divine services were first held in a rented rock building. Emanuel Rzeppa owned it.
In 1867 Rev Barzynski noted his parish had about 44 to 50 families. That totaled around 250 people under his care. The first church was built in 1868. St. Michael’s School opened five years later.
Following Father Vincent Barzynski as pastor were several reverends. They included Rev. Joseph Barzynski and Rev. Stanislaus Wojciechowski. Also serving were Rev. Felix Zwiardowski and Rev. Adelbert Pelizar. Rev. Ludwig Louis Dombrowski and Rt. Rev. Thomas Moczygemba followed.
The original St. Michael Catholic Church was torn down in 1922. A larger white brick building replaced it. The cornerstone was laid on July 4 1922. The dedication occurred on October 25 1922. The blessing of the stained glass windows took place on December 2 1923.
This historic church was demolished for the 1968 HemisFair. Rev. Vincent Barzynski was a humble hard-working priest. Rev. Adolf Bakanowski described him as working tirelessly. He worked from morning until 11 p.m. Father Barzynski said he worked like a mother at her only daughter’s wedding. This showed his devotion to his parishioners. Rev. Barzynski was St. Michael’s pastor from 1866 to 1873.
Emanuel Rzeppa and his wife Matilde Heinrich were charter members. They had immigrated from Toszek Silesia. They owned property at Matagorda and Goliad Streets. There they lived and operated their bakery. In December 1866 Father Vincent Barzynski rented Rzeppa’s stone building. It became a temporary chapel. The congregation created a beautiful space. They reflected their piety in the warehouse.
The walls were scrubbed. Carpenters built benches and an altar. A large blue cloth painted with stars covered the ceiling. An artist painted angels on the ceiling. A hand carver created figures of angels and saints.
Father Barzynski acquired four lots on South Street. Construction began there. He described a building with a church school sacristy and office. Rev Bakanowski consecrated the first building on January 6 1868. It was under the patronage of St. Michael.
Construction on a new church began April 24 1922. Archbishop Shaw blessed the completed building on July 4 1922. Rev John Tokarz delivered a sermon in Polish. Parishioners donated statues golden tabernacle doors and marble altars. The statue of St. Michael the Archangel towered over the main altar. He was the patron saint and protector.
In 1937 Rt Rev Monsignor Thomas J Moczygemba appeared with Rev Ignatius Kopczynski. Kopczynski was an alumnus of St Michael’s Academy. The 12th Station of the Cross Jesus dies on the Cross was saved. It is now with the Seraphic Sisters. It is the only station whose location is known.
At least ten statues from the historic St Michael Catholic Church were saved. They were moved to the new St Michael Catholic Church on Indiana Street. Four statues are in the church. Six are in the parish school.
The Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation presented a framed memento. It featured inscriptions and photos of the stained glass windows. These windows had enhanced St Michael’s. The windows were saved and installed in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
St. Michael’s history is personal to many. Lynn Highley is a descendant of Emanuel Rzeppa. Barbara Stanush’s husband grew up in St. Michael Parish. The artistic displays honor early Polish immigrant families. They dedicated windows in memory of departed parishioners. Arthur Martinez made his First Holy Communion there. Josephine Garcia attended St Michael Academy. She recalled Polish surnames Morgozewitz Pruski and Winkler.
Today St. Michael Catholic Church continues its mission. It serves the community. It welcomes all to share in its rich history and faith.