St. Michael's Catholic Church

St. Michael's Parish was established in 1875 by the Rt. Rev. Anthony Dominic Pellicer, first Bishop of San Antonio, after the Cuero Land and Immigration Co. donated the site for a church. The name honored Michael O'Brien, whose widow was among the first members. A small frame church was erected in 1876, and the Rev. V. L. Manci, S.J., became the first resident pastor. The parish has operated a Catholic school since 1877. Construction began on a larger building in 1886, shortly before the first church was damaged by the hurricane that destroyed Indianola, and many families who fled that town joined the parish before the brick church was completed in 1892. As the parish grew, it added a new rectory in 1894 and a new school in 1912. The present church was erected in 1931 through the efforts of the Rev. Francis Pallanche, pastor from 1922 to 1932. Soon afterward, the Rev. William Jansen began the longest pastorate in the church's history, serving from 1937 to 1966. Later expansion included a new school and convent in 1955, a rectory in 1963, remodeling of the school and church building in the 1960s, and a new parish hall in 1973. Today St. Michael's has more than 400 member families.

Cuero, Texas · United States