History

Due to the growth of St. Margaret Mary Parish, the Archdiocese purchased ten acres of land on January 31, 1957 with the intention of eventually forming a new parish. In December of that year, a temporary chapel named St. Margaret Mary Chapel was erected by Father Edward Dworaczyk, who was then the pastor of the “mother” parish. Following its dedication, the first and second grades of school were taught at the front end of the building for the next two years. This chapel-school was considered an annex of the school at St. Margaret Mary. Holy Name Parish was established on June 29, 1959 with Father John McDonald as its first pastor and 580 families on record.

Surplus barracks were purchased in the summer of 1961 and remodeled by the men of this parish; this became Holy Name Parish School, staffed by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity. On April 15, 1962, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for a new, permanent, eight-room school building and rectory which were completed by September of the same year. Two more classrooms were added to the “barracks building” in 1964, and the church building underwent one of many renovations in 1965. At that time, the “barracks building” was converted into a hall, kitchen, and classrooms. In 1966, a separate, three room temporary classroom building was added, and in 1967 a lighted baseball field was constructed.

Father James C. Brunner served as pastor from June 1969 to 1976. During his administration, most of a substantial and lingering debt was paid off. In order to do this, strict economic measures were required, one of which was the discontinuance of the seventh and eight grades at the school in 1971. Interior work in the church building and hall was carried out during those years.

Father Leo M. Dolan served as pastor from June 24, 1976 until October 1, 1980. During 1977, further renovations were undertaken on the aging “barracks building” to provide for a Religious Education Center. In the same year, the reinstitution of the seventh and eighth grades of the parish school began. Sixteen students graduated in 1979.

Monsignor Charles E. Herzig served as pastor from October 1, 1980 to January 1984. During his administration came the full realization of the new Activity Center, with groundbreaking ceremonies being held on July 18, 1981. With the arrival of the Sisters of St. Francis that same year, the school enrollment peaked at approximately 280 students. Pre-kindergarten and extended Daycare programs were added that year. In 1982, the Parish Council, led by Msgr. Herzig, established the Holy Name Parish Endowment fund to benefit the school in future years.

Father Gerald (Gerry) Hubertus arrived as our pastor in January 1984. The years 1984 through 1987 marked a period of growth and stability for the school. The Sisters of St. Francis left Holy Name School in May 1987; and for the first time in its history, the school was under the administration of a lay principal.

The year 1988 brings back some bittersweet memories. In September, the east “barrack building” was completely destroyed by fire. However, plans to build the new Education Building were soon finalized, and in October, Father Gerry officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony. The new school facility provided three new classrooms, one with a science lab; a computer lab; preschool and daycare facilities; a Parish Learning Center; an Adult Education room; and the school’s administrative offices. The building was blessed in the spring of 1989 and was first used by the school in the fall of 1989.

Under the leadership of Principal Miriam Christiansen from 1988 to 2000, the school saw an increase in enrollment to 340 students and a consequent increase in staff. The parents were determined to maintain small classes to assure a more individual approach to formation and a sense of belonging. Therefore, the school went through a “renovation” phase: downsizing existing classrooms and adding more classrooms to accommodate two classes of each of the elementary grades.

In October 1995, Father Gerald Hubertus was transferred to St. James Church in Seguin. Father Frank Kurzaj was reassigned from Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Panna Maria to Holy Name as pastor in September 1995. Father Frank assumed the responsibility for the renovation of the church in 1997.

Holy Name welcomed a new principal for a short assignment from 2000-2001, Kimberly Lubianski. Following Ms. Lubianski, from 2001-2012, the school was led by Principal Chad Mills. Under the leadership of Mr. Mills, the school greatly improved and enhanced its technology programs and communication. Students and staff alike were learning about technology and given access to new-age digital equipment. Presently, David Solis is the principal and is managing the school under the reorganization of the Good Shepherd Network.

The parish celebrated the installation of Father Frank as a Monsignor-Chaplain to the Holy Father and the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Deacon David Herbert in November 1998. After twelve years of wonderful service to our parish, Father Frank Kurzaj was assigned to St. Paul’s Parish in June of 2007. For the next two years Holy Name had a succession of interim pastors—Father Mike Horan served from June of 2007 until August of 2008 and Father Juan Antonio Albaladejo served from August of 2008 until June of 2009. Serving as Father Juan’s assistant and parochial vicar was Father Bonfilio Enriquez. In June of 2009, Holy Name Church was assigned a wonderful priest from Kennedy, Texas, Father Arkadiusz (Eric) Szyda who served until June 30, 2013.

July 1, 2013, we welcome Fr. Martin F. Parayno, OSB as our new pastor. He came from Santo Nino de Cebu Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas.

We are a community with many wonderful memories that make us rich in tradition and provide us with strength to embrace the future.