St. Anthony Catholic Church

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Way out in Gregg County, in the city of Longview, a story of faith has been unfolding since 1880. That's when St.

Anthony parish was established, back when the priests who served it didn't have a building to call home. They were circuit-riders, moving from place to place, bringing church services to the congregation wherever they could. Picture that, a priest on the road, keeping a whole parish alive on nothing but determination and a saddle.

For four years, that's how it worked. Then, in 1884, they built something. A frame structure, modest and real, and that building served the congregation for more than half a century.

It stood until 1940, when a new facility was commissioned, and the parish moved into a new chapter. But here's what makes St. Anthony something more than just a church building on a Longview street.

It became a cornerstone, the marker's own word, for the Hispanic population of Longview. In 1981, St. Anthony conducted the first mass in Spanish, a moment that mattered.

For years, the church also hosted Cinco de Mayo celebrations, opening its doors to the wider community and sharing Mexican food and culture. Faith and a good meal, turns out that combination has a way of bringing people together. And St.

Anthony didn't stop there. It went on to be responsible for starting many other Catholic churches in the area, and also St. Mary's Catholic School.

One parish planting seeds all across the region. By the time 2005 rolled around, St. Anthony had something to celebrate, and celebrate they did, marking 125 years of service to Longview.

A hundred and twenty five years. The marker calls it a bastion of faith, and after a story like that, it's hard to argue.

What the marker says

In 1880, St. Anthony parish was established in longview with circuit-riding priests providing church services. In 1884, a frame structure was built, serving the congregation until 1940 when a new facility was commissioned. St. Anthony has been a cornerstone for the Hispanic population of Longview, conducting the first mass in Spanish in 1981. Cinco de Mayo celebrations were also held at the church for many years, sharing Mexican food and culture with the community. St. Anthony has been responsible for starting many other Catholic churches in the area and also St. Mary's Catholic school. In 2005, St. Anthony celebrated 125 years of service, and it continues to be a bastion of faith for Longview.