St. Mary’s to hold Open House at new Parish Hall

St. Mary’s Catholic Church invites the public to attend the Open House of its new Parish Hall this Sunday, December 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.

After ten years of planning, a year of construction, and a formal dedication with the blessing of the bishop, St. Mary’s parishioners are excited to have a facility for the many functions of their growing church, which has gone from a dozen families ten years ago to about 50 today.

Parish Council President Lindy Craft said the new building fills a need for St. Mary’s.

“It’s very nice to have our religion classes there,” she said. “Previously we had to have them in the old priest’s house.”

The facility, which is available to be rented for activities, is a great achievement for the church, and parishioners are excited for the community to come see the new hall.

During the open house, tamales and enchiladas will be for sale for $12 per dozen, and a raffle will be held to help three women struggling with medical crises – Amber Williams, Sue Carson, and Liz Carreon. Items being raffled include a handmade quilt, a wine basket, Nutcracker tickets, and other items.

Catholics were meeting in Clarendon by 1890, and in 1892 the present church was built and continues to serve as the Panhandle’s oldest Catholic church. An academy building was later built on a block west of the church but was closed and dismantled early in the 20th century.

Craft said the church had a priest’s house and perhaps a storage building, but in all its history it has never had a Parish Hall, a place for church meals, classes, family gatherings, and more… until now.

“Our church is the oldest in the diocese,” Craft said, “and it’s really nice to finally have something like this for the people of our church.”

The Parish Hall, situated just east of the church, is 6,750 square feet and can seat up to 240 people, according to Building Committee Chair Denise Bertrand. The building also has four classrooms, a changing room – for weddings and other events – near the restrooms, a large kitchen, an office, and a library.

Ground was broken on the project just over a year ago, and contractor Claudell Wright build the facility and is credited with helping the church find ways to save money during construction.

“I’m just thrilled that we finally got it and that it’s as nice as it is,” Bertrand said. “A lot of parishioners put in a lot of time doing the finish work to get it done. I’m also thrilled that it’s almost paid for. We’re still raising money, but we’re close.”

Craft said the project could not have happened if not for the support of local people as well as people from other areas.

“A lot of donors from outside the parish have helped make it possible,” Craft said. “We’ve had money from the diocese and others that has helped reduce the debt.”

Those interested in making a donation to the project can do so by sending a check to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, PO Box C, Clarendon, TX 79226 and put “building fund” in the memo. For rental information, call 806-248-7584.