St. Ann’s Catholic Church in
Canyon, Texas: From the Beginning to the Present
The first Catholic celebration in Canyon was September, 1898, when
Helen and Mary McCormick were baptized by Father John Lenhert.
The first High Mass was celebrated Christmas Day, 1910, by Father
Campbell, in the
home of F.P. Guenther, the first and, at that time, the only Catholic
on
the faculty at West Texas State Normal College. Other priests who
came
to Canyon during the early period were: Fr. David H. Dunn, Fr. Charles
J.
Bier, Fr. Cesario V. Gutierrez, Fr. John James Dolje, Fr. J.R. Allard,
Fr.
Bartholomew O’Brien, and Msgr. Thomas Dominic O’Brien.
The first Catholic Church building in Canyon was dedicated to St. Ann
on December 11, 1925. Father Bart O’Brien celebrated the first
Mass in that building. Priests who came to celebrate Mass there
were: Fr. Edward Clinton, Fr. Francis Joseph Herkert, Fr. James Leslie
Daly, Fr.
Gabriel Diamonte, Fr. Jerome A. Zienta, Fr. Arnold Aloysius Boeding,
Fr.
John Baptist Schaad, Fr. Charles Hs. Jensen, Fr. Gerhard Stakemeier,
Fr.
Leroy T. Mattheisen, Fr. Vincent A. Daugintis, and Fr. Edward Chrisman.
In 1926, Amarillo became a Diocese. In 1938, St. Ann’s was
designated a mission of St. Mary’s, Umbarger, then later of
Happy. The first
resident priest in Canyon was Father J. Arnold Carlson
(1950-1953).
On May 8, 1953, St. Ann’s was canonically elevated to parish status by
Bishop
Fitzsimon. Other priests who served St. Ann’s in the original
church
building were: Fr. Wm. Hammond (1953-1957), Fr. Leo Lavoie (1957-1958),
and
Fr. James Comisky (1958-1962). During this latter period St.
Ann’s
enjoyed a marked growth in members, the Newman Club was formed to
minister
to the local university students, an Altar Society and a lay church
committee
were begun, Sunday bulletins and parish dinners were started. Fr.
George
Sallaway (1962-1969) planned the new church.
On November 24, 1963, ground was broken for the present church
building. It was blessed and dedicated on Pentecost, May 17, 1964
by Bishop DeFalco. Priests who served the parish after Fr.
Sallaway were Fr. Lawrence A. Hemp (1969-1970), Fr. Jack Gist
(1970-1982), Fr. James C. Gurzynski (1982-1984), and Fr. Patrick D.
Carathers (1984-1995). Our present pastor, Fr.
Phu T. Phan, came to St. Ann’s on January 1, 1996.
When we look back over the last 50 years, our parish has been blessed
with remarkable growth as a community of faith. These are some of
the
things that we have witnessed: annual Passover meal, vacation
bible
school, C.Y.O., C.I.A., memorial fund, building fund, Ladies circles,
social
groups, Knights of Columbus, choir, new pipe organ, new parish hall,
Ultreya,
Respect Life activities, annual Czech Sausage Dinner, Legion of Mary,
Disciples
in Mission, adult bible study, prayer group, Parents Day Out Program,
annual parish picnic, Good Shepherd Program, RCIA Program, Christian
Mothers and other activities and organizations to build community and
strengthen our
faith.
We look forward with hope, asking God to shower His countless blessings
on our parish as we strive to live out our faith and carry on the
mission of Christ Jesus with conviction and joy. St. Ann, pray
for us. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
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Last updated:
April 20, 2008