Galveston County
Galveston County
St. Mary Cathedral Basilica
Year Built: 1847-1848
St. Mary Cathedral Basilica is the mother church of the Catholic Church in Texas. In 1847, Pope Pius IX created the Diocese of Galveston and construction of the cathedral began using bricks shipped from Belgium. It is one of the earliest buildings still standing in Galveston. In 1979, in recognition of the Cathedral’s importance to the community and the State of Texas, as well as the historical impact it had on Catholicism in the state of Texas, Pope St. John Paul II elevated St. Mary Cathedral to the status of a minor basilica.
Eaton Memorial Chapel
Year Built: 1878-1881
Eaton Hall, historically known as Eaton Chapel, at Trinity Episcopal Church was designed by renowned Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton. Gifted by Trinity vestryman and philanthropist Henry Rosenberg and the devoted women of the Ladies’ Parochial Society, the building is a memorial to the founder of Trinity Parish and a monument to the generosity of its benefactors. It stands just south of the main sanctuary, a Gothic Revival structure from 1857, which has been the spiritual home for over five generations of Galvestonians.
Reedy Chapel-AME
Reedy Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) is the mother church of African Methodism in Texas, beginning as a place of worship for slaves in 1848. The current structure was built following the great fire of 1885. Reedy Chapel is also the home to one of the oldest pipe organs in Texas, built in 1872. Today, Reedy Chapel stands as a symbol of liberation, longevity and faithfulness in God. It also continues to host a Juneteenth celebration that is attended by the community.
Image credits: Photos of church exteriors taken by UTSA-CCS personnel.
St. Mary Cathedral Basilica
Year Built: 1847-1848
St. Mary Cathedral Basilica is the mother church of the Catholic Church in Texas. In 1847, Pope Pius IX created the Diocese of Galveston and construction of the cathedral began using bricks shipped from Belgium. It is one of the earliest buildings still standing in Galveston. In 1979, in recognition of the Cathedral’s importance to the community and the State of Texas, as well as the historical impact it had on Catholicism in the state of Texas, Pope St. John Paul II elevated St. Mary Cathedral to the status of a minor basilica.
Eaton Memorial Chapel
Year Built: 1878-1881
Eaton Hall, historically known as Eaton Chapel, at Trinity Episcopal Church was designed by renowned Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton. Gifted by Trinity vestryman and philanthropist Henry Rosenberg and the devoted women of the Ladies’ Parochial Society, the building is a memorial to the founder of Trinity Parish and a monument to the generosity of its benefactors. It stands just south of the main sanctuary, a Gothic Revival structure from 1857, which has been the spiritual home for over five generations of Galvestonians.
Reedy Chapel-AME
Reedy Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) is the mother church of African Methodism in Texas, beginning as a place of worship for slaves in 1848. The current structure was built following the great fire of 1885. Reedy Chapel is also the home to one of the oldest pipe organs in Texas, built in 1872. Today, Reedy Chapel stands as a symbol of liberation, longevity and faithfulness in God. It also continues to host a Juneteenth celebration that is attended by the community.
Image credits: Photos of church exteriors taken by UTSA-CCS personnel.