National Register Listing

St. Mary's Cathedral

201--207 10th St., Austin, TX
Saint Mary's Cathedral in Austin is the product of cultural and institutional forces very different from those which had produced the Catholic mission churches in Spanish Texas. The Roman Catholic population within the newly-founded centers of Anglo-Americans, Germans, and other groups becoming establish-ed in Texas during the middle decades of the nineteenth century looked to the United States for their institutional leadership and for architectural influences on effecting their churches. Consequently changes in architectural influences accompanied the independence and subsequent statehood of Texas. The erection of Saint Mary's Church in the capital city was an early example of the new sources of inspiration which accompanied this transformation of Texas from that of a remote Spanish domain to a far western state of an expanding Anglo-Saxon republic.

The first diocese in the State of Texas, that of Galveston, was founded in 1847, and the city of Austin was-well within its far-flung boundaries. Austin's first resident priest, the Reverend Michael Sheehan, began erection of his church in 1853 on the northeast corner of East Ninth and Brazos streets approximately a block from the present Saint Mary's church. Father Sheehan's church was called Saint Patrick's reflecting the Irish influence in the parish during the first two decades.

In 1866 the name of the church was changed to Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, and in 1874 it was placed in the hands of the French Congregation of the Holy Cross operating out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they had founded University in 1842. This order had begun Saint Edward's College, Austin, in 1872. In the meantime the parish had outgrown the former Saint Patrick's church, and in 1874 the commission for the present Saint Mary's was awarded to Nicholas J. Clayton (1848-1916).

Clayton had come to Galveston in 1872 as the representative of the W. H. Baldwin firm of Memphis under whom he had studied sculpture, architecture, and structural engineering. He was the first professionally-trained architect to become established in Texas, and at the time of the St. Mary's commission, he had several buildings underway in Galveston, including Saint Patrick's church.

The site of Saint Mary's is the northeast corner of Tenth and Brazos Streets: a topographically conspicuous location. The exact date of the cornerstone is not recorded, however the church was dedicated by the bishop of Galveston in 1884. A 2000 pound bell was installed in the belfry in 1886; stained glass windows made in Munich,Germany were installed on the west side during the 1890s; the present pipe organ (recently reworked) was installed in 1893, and in 1900 the series of Munich made windows was completed on the east side. Extensive interior decoration was carried out in 1900, including fresco, stenciling, and refinishing of woodwork by Julius Schmide, Louis Rucca, and F. P, Vitellaro a group of Chicago artisans.

Saint Mary's became the cathedral church for the Austin diocese, after the diocese was established in 1948
Bibliography
Austin, Texas. The Official Catholic Directory of St. Mary's Parish, 1943.

Barkley, Mary Starr. One Hundred Years; the Centennial of Saint Mary's Church, Austin. Austin, Texas. Besty Printing Co.,1953

Barnestone, Howard. The Galveston that Was. New York.

Clayton, Nicholas J. Papers, 1869-1909. Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas, Austin

Williamson, Roxanne Kuter. Victorian Architecture in Austin. Unpublished Thesis, University of Texas. Austin, Texas, 1967.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Religion

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture religion
The state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
Texas random facts
Travis County, Texas, is located in the central part of the state and encompasses the capital city of Austin. The county has a rich history that spans centuries, beginning with the indigenous Native American tribes who inhabited the area long before European settlement.

European exploration of the region began in the 17th century when Spanish explorers ventured into what is now Travis County. However, it was not until the early 19th century that permanent settlements were established. In 1835, the area became part of the Republic of Texas after gaining independence from Mexico, and the county was officially created in 1840.

Travis County was named after William Barret Travis, a Texas Revolution hero who commanded the Texan forces during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Throughout the 19th century, the county experienced significant growth and development, driven by factors such as the arrival of immigrants, the expansion of the railroad, and the establishment of institutions like the University of Texas at Austin in 1883.

During the 20th century, Travis County continued to evolve and modernize. Austin, the county seat and state capital, grew into a vibrant and culturally diverse city, known for its live music scene, technological innovations, and progressive policies. The county became a center for government, education, and business, attracting a wide range of industries and residents.

Today, Travis County is one of the most populous and economically vibrant counties in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. The county's history, coupled with its present-day dynamism, contributes to its unique character and makes it a significant region in the Lone Star State.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Travis County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The area that would become Travis County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa and Lipan Apache.

  • 1691: Spanish explorers, including Domingo Terán de los Ríos and Alonso de León, explored the region.

  • 1835: Texas Revolution against Mexico begins, and the area becomes part of the Republic of Texas.

  • 1839: Waterloo, a small village settled near the Colorado River, is selected as the site for the new capital of the Republic of Texas.

  • 1840: Travis County is officially established and named after William Barret Travis, a hero of the Texas Revolution.

  • 1842: The capital is officially named Austin after Stephen F. Austin, "The Father of Texas."

  • 1871: The Houston and Texas Central Railway reaches Austin, facilitating transportation and spurring growth.

  • 1883: The University of Texas at Austin is founded.

  • 1891: The Texas State Capitol building, an iconic landmark, is completed.

  • 1930s-1940s: The construction of dams, including Mansfield Dam and Tom Miller Dam, on the Colorado River provides flood control and creates Lake Travis and Lake Austin, respectively.

  • 1970s-1990s: Austin experiences significant growth and becomes known for its live music scene, technology industry, and progressive culture.

  • 2000s-Present: Travis County continues to grow in population and economic significance, with Austin being recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.