First Mass

Panna Maria, Texas

Advent 1854

LocationPanna Maria
State/TerritoryTexas
CountyKarnes
Modern DioceseArchdiocese of San Antonio
Historical DioceseDiocese of Galveston
DateAdvent 1854
PriestFather Leopold Moczygemba
Religious OrderOrder of Friars Minor (Franciscans)
RiteRoman (Latin) Rite
ExpeditionSilesian Polish Immigrant Settlement
Confidenceconfirmed
Submitted by@ecofire2

Photos

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Panna Maria
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Panna Maria

Documentation

Notes

This was the first Mass in Karnes county. It was celebrated for the very first organized Polish immigrant community in the United States upon their arrival at their new settlement. "It was Christmastime, and Father Moczygemba and the settlers celebrated a Christmas Mass of thanksgiving in their new home of tall grass, live oaks, mesquite, and rattlesnakes."

← Back to the full map & timeline