R eligiotts Communities of 111 en in Texas
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missionary bishop of Bengal, India, and Nueva Segovia, Philippine Islands, and Father John Lauth, C.S.C., president of St. Edward's University (1881-1883). 37 Ever ready to help, the Holy Cross Fathers answered all calls gladly, regardless of personal discomfort or sacrifice. Father P. Franciscus, C.S.C., traveled in 1885 seventy-five miles on horseback in two days from Bellville to Burlington, Texas, to say the first Mass in the little church rudely built by eight zealous Irish families in the community. Because the church was blessed on September 29, 1885, on the Feast of St. Michael, it was so named. But even before the church was built, the Reverend John Lauth, C.S.C., used to visit the faithful in Burlington, Texas, while he was stationed at Taylor. The settlement in those days was known as Waterford. The Holy Cross Fathers continued to care for the new church of St. Michael until 1887, the year when Waterford was renamed Burlington and the church was placed in the care of seculars. 38 For a few months, from May to September, 1887, Father John Lauth, C.S.C., was in charge of the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul in Frelsburg. A year before, while in Taylor, Father Lauth had also visited at intervals a small settlement, then known as Corn Hill, where he used to say Mass in a private home for the few Catholics in the community. His interest and efforts resulted in the building of what is today Holy Trinity Church in Jarrel, the new name of the old settlement of Corn Hill. Fathers John and Peter Lauth, C.S.C., could not stand still. They helped in 1887 with the struggling mission of St. Joseph at Rockdale, Texas. Holy Cross Fathers continued to care for this mission until 1893. 39 Father J. F. Smith, C.S.C., pioneered in Sts. Cyril and Methodius parish in 1889, in Cistern, Texas; and Father P. J. Hurth, C.S.C., while President of St. Edward's University, went to Cuero and delivered an eloquent sermon in German at the dedication of the new St. Michael's Church in that city on September 29, 1892. 40 Until 1907, the Spanish-speaking of Austin attended St. Mary's Church. The steady increase in numbers and the deep interest of Reverend P. J. O'Reilly, C.S.C., in their peculiar problems, resulted in the organization of a separate parish, which was erected under the advocation
37 Diocese of Galveston, Centennial, 1847-1947, p. 97. 38 /bid., 102. 39 /bid., 142. 40 Archdiocese of San Antonio, Dia111011d Jubilu, 1874-1949, p. 245.
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