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History of St. Michael's
The History of Needville
Needville was established in 1892 by Mr. and Mrs. August Schendel. Together they built their home and a general store on their 160 acre tract of prairie land. Since this was the era of "free range", may cow trails served as roads to the early settlers.
Schendelville, then Needmore, and finally Needville were names given to this thriving community. Mail was received from several towns including Damon and merchandise came by mule-drawn wagons from Richmond.
The Schendel's supported many area churches by donating land and money. They also donated land for the first public school.
Since its conception, Needville has grown from one family to many families. Needville, Brown, Forester, Seiler, Modena, Williams and Concord Schools were merged to form Needville Independent School District in 1946 and 1947. The school district was the first to merge in Fort Bend County.
Needville continues to thrive and has embraced many Christian Churches with various denominations including our very own, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.The History of St. Michael's Catholic Church
A new century was born when Catholics of Czech decent began to arrive in the Needville area between 1901 and 1903. The "virgin land" was ready to give up, in abundance, her riches for the life of the people whom tilled her. So, with faith, the early settlers began to carve out an existence from the good earth. Ever dependent on God's Divine Providence, they looked to building a better future.
The nearest Catholic Church, at that time, was forty miles away in Sealy. Father William Skocek came several times a year to celebrate Mass in the home of John Sitta at Old Guy.
Then, in 1910, Father Vaclav Demel was made pastor of Wallis and began coming once a month to celebrate Mass in the Foster School until 1912 when the old school burned down. The Church now owns the property.
The first funeral was held on December 9, 1906 for Frank Kulcak, whom was killed in a hunting accident. He was the son of Paul and Pauline Kulcak. The Kulcak family donatd one acre of land near the Foster School, which became the first Catholic Cemetery of the new settlement.
From the time of Father William Skocek, the people began to talk about building a church. Since the people were scattered in different areas, it became almost impossible for them to agree on where it should be built. Of course, each group wanted the church to be built nearest to them -- an age old problem. So, Fr. Vaclav Demel, the pastor, stepped in and helped to make the decision -- and age old solution to parish problems. Needville was chosen as the site to build the new church. Frank Horak donated one acre of land for the church, and later sold two more acres for a cemetery.
The first church was 30 ft. wide and 50 ft. long. It was paid for by about 30 Catholic Families and many non-Catholic friends who made generous contributions once a year. St. John's parish of Ammansville gave the main altar. St. Veronica's parish of Cameron gave the two side altars. On May 22, 1912, Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher came and blessed the new church. At the same time, he confirmed 48 members of the parish.
In June of 1914, Father James Kveton became assistant to Father Vaclav Demel. He served the faithful of St. Michael's until June of 1915.
In the meantime St. Michael's became a mission to the Rosenberg parish, Holy Rosary. Father E. J. Hajek was the pastor, and he said Mass twice a month in Needville, until he was replaced by Father I.J. Valenta, who served the people until 1922.
In 1922, Father Kveton, who had served this area before, was made pastor and he continued to serve the people of St. Michael's until 1926. At that time there were about 100 Catholic families in this area.
Now we get down to the reason for this celebration: St. Michaael's ceased to be a mission and became a parish. On January 17, 1926, Bishop Christopher E. Byrnes sent father Innocent Raska to be St. Michael's first pastor. Almost immediately, a rectory was built and Sts. Cyril & Methodius became a Mission of Needville.
Father John E. Kalas repalced Father Raska, June 17, 1927. He and the people began plans for a new church. The architect was S.N. Nelson, of Houston, and the builder was A. Anders, of the parish. The cornerstone was put in place and blessed on November 7, 1927.
In these days of high prices, it might be interesting to note that the new church, together with 3 new altars, pews, and all artifacts cost only $25,000.00.
The new church being completed, was blessed by Bishop C.E. Byrnes, June 25, 1928. Everyone rejoiced that day, but they mourned later when Father Kalas died suddenly in March 1933. He is the only priest buried in the St. Michael's Cemetery.
Bishop Byrnes sent a replacement in May of 1933, Father J.F. Hanak. He served the people until June 1937.
The next pastor served the parish the longest, Father Joseph Klobouk. He rendered 60service to the people, and during his tenure many improvements were made.
While Father Klobouk was pastor, a shrine was built and dedicated to our parishioners who served in Wold War II and Vietnam. Those who gave their lives in active duty were: World War II: Albert E. Jurca, Ignac W. Cernosek, Vit J. Barta, Edwin V. Janicek, Arnold Stavinoha and Peter Pekar; Vietnam: Antonio Flores, Jr., and Manuel DeLuna, Jr. Father Klobouk served from June 1937 until January 1954.
In January of 1954, Bishop Wendelin J. Nold appointed Father Gilbert F. Pekar as pastor of St. Michael's. A remodeling program was initiated. The rectory was completely redecorated with additions of a utility room and a two car garage. In 1956 the church was redecorated, and more rooms and restrooms were added to the Parish Hall. Father Pekar served the parish until September of 1960. At that time the parish had grown to 280 families.
The next three pastors served a short time, but what they accomplished is not to be measured in dollars and cents. Father T.W. Kappe followed father Pekar. He was replaced by Father W.J. Bosworth in June of 1964. Father C.F. Quinn followed Father Bosworth in February of 1965. He served until August of 1966. (The Annex, through Father Bosworth's efforts, was purchased from the Alfred Demel Family.)
Father Kenneth Mikulik came and stayed a little longer, from August 1966 until February of 1971. Like all the other priests before him, he took care of the spiritual needs of the people and the material needs of the parish. A new roof was installed on the church during his stay.
Bishop John L. Morkovsky sent Father Ludon Angelle in February 1971. Everything went on as usual until the evening of November 16, 1973 when the church caught on fire. Through the quick and efficient action of our Fire Department, together with the help of the Rosenberg, Damon and West Columbia Departments, the fire was put under control and the building was saved. However, the smoke, heat, soot and water damage was extensive.
Father Angelle and the majority of the parishioners agreed to restore the chruch as it was before the fire with a few exceptions: carpeting was to be installed under the pews, a new altar of celebration and a pulpit was to be designed and built to match the main altar of reposition. The vestibule was to serve also as a cry-room, the Baptistry was to be made into a vesting sacristy and a new organ was to be purchased. The insurance would pay for 100% of the restoration costs from all the fire damage.
The Te-Ko Contractors, Inc. of Houston, Texas had the lowest bid, and the contact was signed on January 21, 1974. Even though Holy Week was celebrated in the church, it was not until May 9, 1974 that the work was completed and the contract finalized.
The parish was blessed to have Fr. Angelle until his passing in November 1990.
In February 1991, our parish welcomed Fr. James Ramsey. He would become the fifteenth pastor to lead our faithful. Our parish family had grown in numbers from the original 30 families to 750 families in 1994. In order to better serve these families, St. Michael's facilities had to grow. A building program was launched in 1992 and completed in October 1993 with the addition of 16 classrooms to the Parish Hall, administrative office space to the Church, and the Adoration Chapel. Renovation of the Parish Hall, Annex and Rectory were also part of the program.
On September 18, 1994, Auxiliary Bishop James A. Tomayo blessed the monument to the unborn.
Fr. Ramsey's love and dedication to our parish cannot be measued in words. His legacy spans generations and we are grateful for his service.
A new Family Life Center building was completed and the dedication ceremony was held on September 30, 2007. This was the last building project completed before Fr. Ramsey took a sabbatical and then leave of absence. Father Don Schwarting was appointed temporary pastor of both St. Michael's and Sts. Cyril & Methodius. After Fr. Ramsey's leave of absence, he was transferred to Our Lady of Walsingham in Houston, Texas.
Fr. Schwarting wanted to retire and return to his home in New Braunsfels so in August 2008, Fr. Joseph Son Thanh Phan was appointed Parish Administrator of both churches by Archbishop Daniel Cardinal DiNardo. He was then installed as pastor on March 14, 2010 by Msgr. George Sheltz. The reception took place at St. Michael's with a reception following in the Family Life Center. Fr. Joseph immediately continued improvements started by Fr. Schwarting. In August of 2014, Fr. Joseph was transferred to St. Francis de Sales in Houston, Texas.
Fr. Marty Pham was then assigned to both St. Michael's and Sts. Cyril & Methodius and was installed as Pastor on August 4, 2014.
Father Marty became a priest on May 29, 2004. For him, it was a long, difficult road which lead him to the priesthood. It started in Vietnam many years before that. Father Marty was born in Da Nang City in 1963 and is one of ten children. He has four brothers and five sisters. In 1985, he escaped from a war torn country as one of the "Boat People." Boat People is a term referring to impoverished, illegal immigrants or asylum seekers who arrive in masses in old or crudely-made boats. The term came into common use during the late 1970's with the mass departure of Vietnamese refugees from community-controlled Vietnam, following the Vietnam War. He went from there to Malaysia and then to the Philippines and spent six months studying the English language.
It took him a long time to be accepted into the seminary, but he loves being a preist and being in these small community parishes. He enjoys fishing and when he can, he likes to spend time casting a rod into the surf in hopes of a great catch. He also enjoys playing his guitar and saxophone and cooking for his parishioners, family and friends. He is a man of many talents.
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- St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church -- Needville, Texas
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Rev. Marty Phamrevphamconsolidated.netPastor -
Veronica Kresseveronica_kresseyahoo.comParish Secretary (M, T, F), Liturgy Coordinator -
Laura Buelllbuellconsolidated.netBookkeeper, Housekeeper -
Patsy Pekarpatsypekargmail.comOffice Manager, Bulletin Editor -
Jennifer Carlislejennifercarlisleconsolidated.netDirector of Faith Formation -
Junior MeuthMaintenance - Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church -- Damon, Texas
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Rev. Marty PhamPastor -
Patsy Pekarpatsypekargmail.comOffice Manager/Bookkeeper/Bulletin Editor -
Tony Lindemannlavale979hotmail.comMaintenance -
Kathleen Lindemannkat.979hotmail.comHousekeeper
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History of Sts. Cyril & Methodius
The History of Damon
In 1827, a pioneering and Catholic man, Abraham Darst, who at the time was forty-one years old, gave up the life he had made for himself in St. Charles County, Missouri and moved his family to the wilderness of the Texas Gulf Coast. The trip to his home was made by boat, down the MIssissippi and around the coast to Velasco.
Through Stephen F. Austin, Darst received the grant of a league and labor of l and from the Mexican government in 1820. In the midst of his grant rose a large mound. It had an elevation of ninety-seven feet and embraced about 3,000 acres.
The mound was about a mile in length, east and west and about eight hundred yards in width. Located near the Brazoria-Fort Bend County line it was about eight miles from the Brazos River and two miles from the San Bernard.
Darst had eight children, one being a daughter, Lorina who in married a young man from Massachusetts and they settled in the Mound community (as it was known). Since they owned most of the land there, the MOund became known as Damon's Mound and later simply as Damon.
Damon produced most of the limestone in South Texas before the turn of the century. Remains of the old quarry can be seen as you enter Damon. At the turn of the century, Damon was a really sleepy little one horse town. There was one store. The town, was however, on the verge of a very important dicovery, OIL!
In 1917, Damon was the center of the Oil Boom. People poured into the town. The town grew with almost unbelievable speed. There as not ime for planning anything. Streets were almost non-existent. Stores, hotels, boarding houses, a movie theatre, and a bank sprang up over night. There was even a resident doctor. By 1924 there were enought people in the town to convert the small eight grade school into a modern high school, which continued until 1947.
In 1917 Sulphur was discovered on the mound but it wasn't until 1951 that mining began by the Standard Sulphur Company. This plant was in operation until 1956.
In 1918, the Texas and New Orleans Railroad reached Damon. It provided a more convenient method of moving the town's products.
Damon today remains a small town. No more hotels, banks, or large stores.The History of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
Catholics of Czech descent had been settling in the Damon Mound Community since 1913. At that time, the nearest Catholic Church was in Needville. It was quite an ordeal to get to Mass. There were no roads, only open prairies. The families had to travel by buggies or wagons, over a distance of 12 miles, more or less, to get to Church. The day was spent by the time they got back home. During rainy seasons, it was almost impossible to go anywhere.
One day, in 1923, Father James Kveton was called out of Rosenberg to give the Last Rites to a boy. Fr. Kveton was surprised to see so many CAtholic families gathered at the home of the boy and inspite of the fact that he was pastor of Rosenberg, with missions in Iowa Colony, Beasley, Hungerfored and Needville, he was moved to take on Damon as another mission.
Fr. Kveton talked to the people and suggested that they think about building a church and that he would come as often as was possible, but only on weekdays. Until the church was built Mass would be in the home of Paul Orsak. Father would notify a member of the missin, by mail, when he was coming, so that he could be met at the train.
In May of 1925 plants were made for a new church. The present site at the foot of the mound was bought soon after and construction began. The church was completed in the Fall of 1925.
On January 17, 1926, Damon was made a mission of Needville, with Father Innocence Raska as pastor. On July 5, 1927 the church was dedicated by Bishop Christopher E. Byrne as Sts. Cyril & Methodius.
In August 1966 with the installation of Father Kenneth Mikulik as pastor, plans for a new church that would seat 400 people were finanalized. After completion of the new church, it was dedicated by Bishop John L. Morkovsky on April 19, 1970.
On July 1, 1977, Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church was recognized as a parish church for the first time in its 51-year history.
In 2000 renovations to the Old Church were completed turning it into an office, workroom, two classrooms and adding a restroom. A Chapel was created by restoring the upper part of the Church and Altar to resemble as close as possible what it looked like when first built. On November 5, 2000 Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza held a Mass following by the Blessing of the new Chapel.
Pastors assigned to Sts. Cyril & Methodius over the years:
Fr. Innocence Raska: January 1926 to July 1927
Fr. John E. Kalas: January 1927 to March 1933
Fr. Josef Hanak: May 1933 to June 1937
Fr. Joseph Klobouk: June 1937 to January 1954
Fr. Gilbert F. Pekar: January 1954 to September 1960
Fr. T.W. Kappe: September 1960 to June 1964
Fr. William J. Bosworth: June 1964 to February 1965
Fr. C.F. Quinn: February 1965 to August 1966
Fr. Kenneth Mikulik: August 1966 to February 1971
Fr. Ludon Angelle: February 1971 to July 1977
Fr. Gilbert F. Pekar: July 1977 to March 1995
Fr. James Ramsey: March 1995 to January 2008
Fr. Don Schwarting: January 2008 to August 2008
Fr. Joseph Son Thanh Phan: August 2008 to August 2014
Fr. Marty Pham: August 2014 to present
