OUR PARISH STORY

A HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH

1855-2003

St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Parish had its beginning in 1855 when 16 immigrant families from Poland landed at Indianola, Texas. They then proceeded to Bandera to settle. This was only six weeks after the settling of the first Polish Parish in the United States at Panna Maria, Texas.

In 1859, the Polish settlers purchased land and began to construct a 20'x30' log structure which served as their first church. The entire block of land on which the church is located today was purchased for only $1.00 from the James de Montel Company.

In 1874, a convent was built from limestone, housing the nuns who taught the children and serving as their school. This building, bearing a Texas Historical Plaque, is now used as a museum to display the precious memorabilia from the original Polish families, their descendants, and from the early church.

The church we worship in today was built in 1876. It was constructed of native limestone. Originally, the sacristy and the rectory were located above the rear of the building. and the church bell hung in a small cupola placed on the roof of the same area. In 1906, the steeple was completed, and the baptistry and confessional were added years later. In the 1940's, stained glass windows and a larger bell were donated by parish families.

In her Centennial Year, 1976, St. Stanislaus Church was adorned with gothic lights, and she was given a complete interior makeover. An all steel steeple and stainless steel cross were erected in 1988, and six additional stained glass window were installed in 1990. The statues and stations of the cross were repainted and the altars all remarbleized in 1996.

In 2000, the small room of to the right of the altar was transformed into a chapel for the purpose of Perpetual Adoration. Another two stained glass windows were installed in the Adoration Chapel and two more in the Sacristy. In 2002, work began on the outside of the church. The limestone blocks were cleaned, and the old mortar between the blocks removed and replaced. This work was completed in the beginning of 2003, when further renovations to the church are planned.

A two story school building was also constructed of native limestone in 1924 for the purpose of Catholic education. Known St. Joseph's Catholic School, it served the children of the parish until 1968. This building still attends to the children's needs for CCD classes, and its beautiful hall serves parishoners as a meeting room and social center.

The original rectory, located on Cypress St. across from the church, was built in 1897. It is currently being used as a meeting place and for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. The existing rectory was built in 1963 as a new convent to house the sisters when the old convent was no longer adequate. With the closing of the school, it became the living quarters for the parish priest and the parish office.

St. Stanislaus Cemetery lies along side the church and old convent. When the cemetery became full, land was purchased on Dixie Dude Road, and was used as an addition to the cemetery. In 2002, an altar and cross were erected in the new cemetery, and the Most Reverend Patrick F. Flores, Archbishop of San Antonio, dedicated and blessed the new cemetery.