Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Hidalgo County, South Texas. Now, before a church can become a landmark, it has to earn it, and this one put in the work.

Back in 1921, Saint Joan of Arc got its start as a mission parish, a smaller outpost ministering to Catholics in the area, connected to Our Lady of Mercy Church over in Mercedes, which had already been tending to the faithful out there. That was the foundation. But a mission parish is just the beginning of the story.

By 1929, Saint Joan of Arc had grown into something more, a full parish in its own right. That is no small thing. That is a community saying, we are here, and we are stayin'.

Then comes the part that really speaks to the long game. From 1940 all the way to 1968, the church ran a parochial school. Twenty-eight years of education.

The marker says it educated a multitude of students, many of whom became noted professionals. Think about that for a moment. Generations of young people walking out of those doors carrying something with them.

The church didn't stop there, either. It organized other congregations, St. Pius X and San Martin de Porres churches, and through various organizations it formed along the way, it kept on ministering to those in need.

Today, Saint Joan of Arc continues as a leading Catholic institution in South Texas. Some stories end. This one just keeps going.

What the marker says

In 1921, Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church was established as a mission parish of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Mercedes, which had previously ministered to area Catholics. The church became a full parish in 1929. From 1940 to 1968, the church operated a parochial school which educated a multitude of students, many of whom became noted professionals. The church has formed a number of other organizations, through which the congregation has ministered to the needy. In addition, the church organized the St. Pius X and San Martin de Porres churches. Today, the church continues to be a leading Catholic institution in South Texas. (2008)