St. Ignatius Martyr Parish

Parish History | St. Ignatius of Antioch | Congregation of Holy Cross

Parish History

Saint Ignatius was founded in 1937 by Fr. Patrick Duffy, C.S.C. The parish, originally part of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, was to be named Holy Cross. The archbishop was in Rome when he became seriously ill. The sisters who cared for him told him that if he prayed to St. Ignatius of Antioch, he would recover. He did and promised to name the next parish in his diocese in honor of the saint. St. Ignatius was the next parish established.

The first Masses for the parish were celebrated at the old Wilke-Manor (Wilke-Clay) Funeral Home at 1811 South Congress Avenue. In 1939 Fr. Duffy moved to an old house in the 200 block of West Johanna Street which he used for church services until a new church was built which served 250 families.

The Holy Cross Sisters arrived in September of 1940 to open an eight grade school in the basement of the church. The Sisters used what had been the rectory as their convent, and Father Duffy lived in a store room of the church basement! He later acquired a home opposite the church to use as a rectory. Father Francis Sullivan, C.S.C. became pastor in 1942 when Fr. Duffy became a chaplain in the service during World War II. Fr. Duffy returned to St. Ignatius in 1946 and served as pastor until 1947 when Father Patrick Dolan, C.S.C. arrived. Fr. Sullivan returned in 1947 and again served as pastor until 1949.

Fr. Eugene Doré, C.S.C. became pastor in 1949. The parish grew at a tremendous rate during this time period, and in 1953 five and a half acres were purchased from the John LaPrelle Estate, which is the present location of the Church, School, Annex, and Family Center.

In 1955 a new school was built on the new land to accommodate 400 students. A new convent was also built at this time on the new property. The parishioners themselves constructed the new convent.

Planning for a new church and rectory began in May of 1962. Construction began two years later, and the first Mass was celebrated in the new church in September of 1965. The church was dedicated by Bishop Louis J. Reicher, D.D. on February 6, 1966.

Father John Payne, C.S.C. became pastor of St. Ignatius in 1968. He was succeeded by Father L. Peter Logsdon, C.S.C. in 1974, and Father C. Richard Nowery, C.S.C. in 1980.

The Family Center, an adjunct to the School, was constructed in the middle 1980's and was dedicated during the Parish Golden Jubilee on October 11, 1987. The Center was officially named the Fr. Gene Dore Family Center in 1989.

Father Larry LeVassuer, C.S.C. became pastor in 1987 and served until 1991.

Father Barry Cabell, C.S.C. became pastor in 1991. Among Fr. Barry's many contributions to this Community was his diligent work to modernize the Saint Ignatius computer systems; networking the School, Rectory, Office, André House, and Annex, and setting up an e-mail system. He also was influential in the formation of our first Pastoral Council.

In 1994 the parish purchased a home at the north end of the property. The house was named André House (in honor of Blessed Brother André Bessette, C.S.C.).

In 1998 the parish purchased the house across the street from André House. It was named the Father John Payne House in honor of Fr. Payne's dedication and service to the parish community.

In the fall of 1998, Father Jeffrey Allison, C.S.C. designed and published the parish's first website.

Father Jeffrey Allison, C.S.C. became pastor in the summer of 1999, as Father Barry was re-assigned to Newfoundland, Canada.

In August of 2001, Father Joe Moyer, C.S.C. became pastor, but was only here a very brief time. Fr. Jeff left in 2002 to pursue his PhD in theology at Catholic University of America.

Ignatius of Antioch, Our Patron

St. Ignatius was a convert to the Faith and a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. St. Chrysostom says that St. Peter appointed him Bishop of Antioch, which See he governed for forty years.

The saint longed to shed his blood for Christ, but the opportunity was not granted him during the persecution under Domitian.

While the short reign of Nerva lasted, the Church was in peace, but under Trajan, persecution broke out anew. In the year 107a.d., the Emperor came to Antioch. Ignatius was seized and brought before him. Having confessed Christ, he was condemned to be taken in chains to Rome, there to be exposedto the wild beasts.

During this last journey, he was welcomed by the faithful of Smyrna, Troas, and other places along the route.

He arrived in Rome just as the public spectacles in the amphitheater were drawing to a close. The faithful of the city came out to meet him. He was at once hurried to the amphitheater, where two fierce lions immediately devoured him.

He ended his saintly life by a glorious death, exclaiming, "May I become agreeable bread to the Lord."

"We should then really live as Christians and not merely have the name..."

His remains were carried to Antioch, where they were interred. In the reign of Theodosius they were transferred to a church within the city. At present they are venerated in Rome.

During his long journey by boat from Antioch to Rome, he addressed seven epistles to various congregations, in which as a disciple of the Apostles, he testifies to the dogmatic character of Apostolic Christianity. He is also known to have first used the term Catholic (universal), as it applies to the Church.

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Congregation of Holy Cross

St. Ignatius, Martyr, Faith Community is served primarily by brothers, priests and sisters of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The initials, "C.S.C.", after their names are an abbreviation for the Latin "Congregatio a Sancta Cruce", which means "Congregation of Holy Cross".

The Congregation of Holy Cross was founded in 1837 by Father Basil Moreau, who was a priest of the Diocese of Le Mans, France. It was founded in a town named "Holy Cross" hence the name "Congregation of Holy Cross".

The mission of the Congregation was to assist in Church ministries wherever needed as parish priests, preachers of missions, educators, writers, and foreign missionaries.

From a small beginning, the Congregation grew rapidly in Algeria, Canada, India, and especially in the United States.

In 1842 a small band of Holy Cross religious came to Indiana and founded the University of Notre Dame. As the University grew, the Congregation was invited to open other colleges, parishes and high schools throughout the United States. In Texas, they founded Saint Edward’s University and many parishes in the Diocese of Austin.

Today, Holy Cross religious are still active in Texas and across the United States primarily in education, parish work and health ministries. In addition, Holy Cross religious serve the Church throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America.

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