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Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
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and pastor from 1820 until he went to San Antonio late in 1822. The Fredonian Rebellion at the end of 1826 again disrupted conditions temporarily and brought to the distant outpost a sizeable garrison under Colonel Jose de las Piedras, who, finding no better place to quarter his troops, converted the church into barracks. Religious services were thereafter conducted by Father Jose Antonio Valdez, chaplain of the garrison, in the former home of Nathaniel Norris, located at the comer of Hospital and North streets. 57 Since his health was poor, Valdez could not give much time minister- ing to the Catholics in Nacogdoches. The civilians, therefore, wrote to the Governor of Saltillo in October of 1827. Governor Gonzalez, in turn, urged Lobo to send a minister to the shepherdless flock. The Adminis- trator appointed Father Jose Ignacio Galindo, a secular priest, who, from San Antonio, informed Alcalde Jose Pineda that he was on his way and asked him to have the Ayuntamiento of Nacogdoches help find a house. On Christmas day the Council assured Galindo that a house would be ready when he arrived. It seems that Father Galindo did not reach Nacogdoches until the spring of 1828. In the meantime Chaplain Valdez retired because of his health and was granted' a pen- sion by the Mexican Government. He left Nacogdoches on April 16, 1828. 51 Father Galindo was an energetic pastor. Shortly after his arrival he purchased from Alcalde Pineda a lot located immediately south of the lot now occupied by the Stone Fort National Bank. The Norris house, where services were being held, was moved to this site in October, 1829. His futile attempt to regain possession of the parish church occupied by Colonel Piedras and his garrison must not have made for hard feelings, as Piedras recommended Galindo's appointment as chaplain. In the midst of his activities, however, a complaint charging immoral conduct was filed against him with the local authorities and he was temporarily suspended pending final decision of the case. In view of the circumstances, he transferred title on November 29, 1830, to the recently acquired property to Peter Ellis Bean as trustee for the Church, and left Nacogdoches. His subsequent appointment as 51/bid., 3. 58 Encamacion Chirino to Saucedo, October 30, 1827; Saucedo to Governor Gonzalez, December 8, 1827; Galindo to Alcalde Pineda, December I 3, I 827; Ayuntamiento to Galindo, December 25, 1827; Secretary of War to Musquiz, February 29, 1828; Comandante to Mariano Rodriguez, April 13, I 828, Be:r:ar Archives.
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