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ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

  Victoria, Texas

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  • St. Mary's and the Nazareth Convent
    St. Mary's and
    the Nazareth Convent
    LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE NAZARETH CONVENT AND
    HOW ST. MARY'S IS SERVING AS A GUARDIAN OVER ITS NEAREST NEIGHBOR
    • LEARN ABOUT THE PROJECT
    • MAKE A GIFT TO THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
    • The History of the Nazareth Convent

      In 1850, Martín De León's family gifted the Catholic Church with the land of their original homesite. This land is the current site of St. Mary's Church and the Nazareth Convent. Several years later, in 1858, Father Augustine Gardet, the pastor of St. Mary's at the time, started construction for a church on this site. The church was completed in 1860 and formally dedicated in 1863. 

      At the invitation of Father Gardet, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, led by Mother St. Claire Valentine, arrived in Victoria on December 21, 1866. Just a few weeks later, the Academy of Nazareth opened and began the first day of classes with 55 students. In 1904, St. Mary's Church, in its current splendor, was completed. The construction of the current Nazareth Convent was also completed at that time and housed Nazareth Academy, boarders for the Academy, and a residence for the Sisters. This continued until 1951 when the current Nazareth Academy School building, across Bridge Street from the Convent, was completed and dedicated. Subsequently, the Convent then became a place primarily for boarders and the Sisters' residence. In 1963, the Incarnate Word Convent was constructed on Water Street in Victoria and ultimately reduced the number of Sisters residing at the Nazareth Convent.

      Many religious sisters and young women have graced the halls of the Convent over the years. The rooms and their details are rich in history and architectural charm. And, while the school moved to the adjacent block in 1951, the old classrooms continued to be used by Nazareth Academy's preschool program and art classes up until recent years.

      In 2015, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament announced their intentions to sell the Nazareth Convent and, on December 21, 2020, St. Mary's Church announced that the parish would be purchasing of the Convent from the Sisters.
    • About the Building

      Designed by Victoria architect, Jules Leffland in the Rococo Revival Style, the Nazareth Convent is his most unusual and creative design. Leffland's ecclectic creation drew from the then popular styles of Spanish and Mission Revival and perhaps historic references such as the Flemish Guild Halls.

      The Nazareth Convent is one of the most significant historical buildings in downtown Victoria. It has three stories and approximately 44,000 square feet with 13' ground floor, 12' second story and 8-1/2' top floor ceiling heights, a grand entry hall, and all of its original historic features. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

      Adapted from the "Old Convent Preliminary Feasibility Study" by the Town Square Initiative at the Texas Historical Commission, 2018.
    • Previous Nazareth Convent News

      • Fisher Heck Architects Selected for the Nazareth Convent Project - August 2021
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  • About
      • Clergy & Staff
      • Contact Us
      • Parish Registration Form
      • Parish Festival
      • Nazareth Convent
      • Hall Rental
      • History
  • Liturgy & Sacraments
      • Mass & Confession
      • Adoration
      • Baptisms
      • Weddings
      • Funerals
      • First Holy Communion and Confirmation
      • Annointing of the Sick
      • Devotionals
  • Faith Formation
      • Religious Education for Youth (CCD)
      • Becoming Catholic (RCIA) and Adult Education
      • Homeschoolers
      • Catholic Schools
  • Ministries & Groups
    • Liturgical Ministries
      • Altar Servers
      • Altar Society
      • Hospitality Ministers
      • Lectors
      • Livestream Operators
      • Sacred Music
      • Pipe Organ
    • Parish Groups
      • Youth Activities and Programs (VBS)
      • Men's and Women's Ministry
      • Troops of St. George
      • Quilters
      • St. Vincent de Paul Society
      • Catholic Daughters
      • Knights of Columbus
      • Gabriel Project of the Crossroads
  • News & Events
      • Bulletin
      • Calendar
      • Photo Album
402 S. MAIN ST. • VICTORIA, TX 77901 • 361-573-4328

OFFICE HOURS: MON - THUR 8:30AM - 4:30PM; FRI 8:30AM - 1:00PM
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