About Saint Austin Catholic Church in Austin, Texas:
The Most Rev. N. A. Gallagher, Bishop of The Diocese of Galveston (which included the city of Austin), invited the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle, known as the Paulist Fathers, to establish a third parish in Austin in 1908.
Despite the similarity of names (as you probably know, there is no “Saint Austin”), Saint Austin Catholic Parish was actually named in honor of Saint Augustine of Canterbury. The name of Saint Augustine of Hippo (Latin: Aurelius Augustinus) is the root of the given name Augustine, which has historically been adapted, shortened, or pronounced in various forms including Aoustin or Austin in English, and Agustín in Spanish. This abbreviation was common in Middle English and has been used for centuries, appearing in texts as early as the time of Chaucer to refer to prominent figures like Saint Augustine of Canterbury.
Bishop Gallagher asked the Paulist Fathers to tend to the “spiritual needs of our growing Capital City,” and he further requested them to “make their House a center of missionary activity for Catholics and non-Catholics.” The Bishop then gave them a particular mandate to “exercise a special care and supervision over the Catholic young men and women who are students at the State University.”
Saint Austin’s, as it is popularly known, has grown to become a parish of over 2,000 households from over 80 zip codes, in line with the explosive growth of the student body of the University of Texas from 4,000 students in 1926 to over 50,000 students today. In addition to permanent residents, Saint Austin’s continues to serve hundreds of university students each year.
With the help of the Dominican Sisters of Houston, Saint Austin Catholic School was founded in 1917. In 1953-1954, under the leadership of then pastor Rev. Joseph Troy, CSP, the present church, school and residence for the Paulist Fathers were built.
Traveling to Saint Austin Catholic Church in Austin, Texas:
Saint Austin Catholic Church is located in the heart of the city of Austin, near the University of Texas campus.
Address: 2026 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78705
Phone: +1 (512) 477-9471
Visit the official website of Saint Austin Catholic Church in Austin, Texas.