“St Paul the Apostle.org.” Does that ring a bell?
Let me tell you the story of Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. It stands as a beacon of faith in Richardson, Texas. The church is located at 720 South Floyd Road. Its story is one of community service and spiritual guidance.
St. Paul the Apostle Parish Center is located at 900 Saint Paul Dr Richardson.
St. Paul the Apostle has a website. It is saintpaulchurch.org. The church’s phone number is +1 972-235-6105.
Interestingly, a church named St. Paul Catholic Church was the first Catholic church formed in Collin or Dallas Counties. It predated the establishment of the Dallas Diocese by thirty-four years. This earlier St. Paul was established as a mission in 1847 by local Irish farmers. They belonged to the Galveston Diocese. Initially, parishioners met in each other’s homes. The idea to build a church arose in one of these homes.
The land acquisition has its own tale. Aunt Ella Burns was washing clothes in the creek. A stranger on horseback approached her. He introduced himself as James Gallagher. Gallagher sought Andrew H. and Lucinda Burns. He wanted to ask them about purchasing land for the Galveston Catholic Diocese. The land was for building a church for the community. The Burns quickly agreed to sell a parcel of land.
In the fall of 1869, Andy and Lucinda Burns, who were Baptists, sold the land for $1. Bishop C. M. Dubius of Galveston received it for the use of a Catholic church. Emily Galleghar also sold two acres for a cemetery for $10.
Father Thomas Henesey was the first circuit priest. He served until St. Paul was built in 1856. He then became the permanent priest. The second clergyman was Father Joseph Martiniere from France. He took over in 1868. In 1872, Father Charles Martiniere, his brother, joined him.
The Diocese records document that a cyclone destroyed the church in 1871. Church patrons rebuilt it with lumber from Jefferson. Local businessmen John Burns and Tom Brown hauled the lumber in wagons. The church was destroyed a third time by fire. Rather than rebuild it again, the parishioners decided to build closer to Wylie. This new church was named St. Anthony Catholic Church. It was built in 1916.
Another St. Paul church, St. Peter/ St. Paul parish, was established in December 1952. About a year later the church was made into two separate churches. St. Paul church was dedicated on January 16, 1955, by Bishop Thomas K. Gorman. In September 2015, St. Paul church came under the guardianship of the Society of the Divine Word. Father Brendan Murphy was the first SVD pastor. Now in 2022, Fr. Thu Nguyen has been assigned pastor of St. Paul.
So, as you stand before Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, remember its legacy. It is a story of faith, resilience, and community. It is a place where all are welcome. It’s a testament to the enduring power of faith.