Las Gallinas, Texas. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
For many years the communities of Las Gallinas and Leming have been erroneously considered as one.
A Town is Born � Again Las Gallinas emerges from the Shadow of Leming
by Herman J. Rakowitz
Las Gallinas was settled in the mid-1800's by�immigrants from�Silensia, Poland.� My great grandfather purchased land and settled there with his family�in 1867.�Las Gallinas still exists today.� It is located approximately 3 miles north of Leming, on Hwy. 281.� The heart of the community is located at the intersection of FM 536 and Hwy. 281, and includes much of the surrounding area.� The creek that runs across 281, and then crosses FM 536 is the Las Gallinas Creek...�read full article ›
Las Gallinas' History
(As stated by a marker at the site of St. Joseph�s Catholic Church):
�St. Joseph�s Catholic Church, Las Gallinas, Texas was organized as a parish in 1876 by eight families. The original families were Kasper Kalka, John Korus, Mrs. Anna Skwortz, Joseph Kindla, Sr., Mrs. Anna Salzman, Wilfred Toudouze, Victor Hug and Frank Keenas. If Sunday mass was not possible, the people would gather at the home of Kasper Kalka and recite the fifteen mysteries of the rosary and the litany of the saints. A temporary church was built of 1 x 12 boards brought from Cuero by John Kalka. The floor sills and shingles were made of native woods. Mrs. Anna Salzman , Kasper Kalka, and John Korus each donated one acre of land for the larger church which was started in 1881. Parishioners: Benjamin Arnold, Emil Arnold, and Fridelin Herr built the church. In 1896, they, with the help of Max Schuritz put in the ceiling, built a bell tower, and made the present pews. The first organ was purchased in 1913. In 1918 the main alter was purchased and the bell donated by Joseph Kindla. During that (illegible) the baptismal font, the hanging sanctua (illegible)and padding for the kneelers were donated (illegible) Mrs. Julius Espey, Sr. and Mrs. Anna Haiduk. (Illegible) the summer of 1919 a small community of Benedi (illegible) sisters came to St. Joseph�s where a two-story convent was built - the first in Texas. Three local girls joined the Benedictine Order ; Katherine Hug (Sister Benedicta), Mary Stanush (Sister Mary Christina), and Cecilia Hug (Sister Mildred). The school building was turned back to the archbishop for indebtedness in 1926, and these sisters were sent to San Antonio. Two other local girls became sisters later; Mary Espey (Sister Julie Adele) and Cecilia Rodriquez (Sister Joan Elise); and in 1931 Father Henry Hug was ordained. During the 1940�s El Carmen Catholic Church, Losoya was a mission of St. Joseph�s Catholic Church. More history can be found in the chancery archives in San Antonio. St. Joseph�s Catholic Church was destroyed by fire on December 15, 1983.�
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Transcribed by Terry Jeanson, November 2009
Las Gallinas TX - St. Joseph's Catholic Church Marker
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, November 2009
St. Joseph's Catholic Church site
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, November 2009
"St. Joseph's Catholic Church 1876-1983 Las Gallinas, Texas"
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, November 2009
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, November 2009
St. Joseph's Catholic Church Marker Text
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, November 2009
Atascosa County 1907 postal map showing Las Gallinas as Gallinas
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office
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