About Midland/Odessa, Texas:
Midland and Odessa are two cities West Texas that sit on the southern edge of the High Plains in the heart of the Permian Basin, roughly midway between Fort Worth and El Paso along Interstate 20. Often referred to as the Midland/Odessa area, the two cities are only about 23 miles apart.
Midland was established in 1881 as a depot on the Texas and Pacific Railway, positioned halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso. The settlement was initially named Midway Station to reflect its central location along the railroad route and was incorporated in 1906. The discovery of oil in the Permian Basin in 1923 transformed it into a major energy hub: oil company offices and production activity have defined much of its growth since the mid-1920s.
The city has strong ties to the Bush family: it was a childhood home for former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, and the hometown of former First Lady Laura Bush. Some of the city’s nicknames included “The Tall City” (for its skyline relative to the flat landscape) and energy-focused branding such as “Feel the Energy.”
Midland is a primary center for U.S. oil and natural gas production in the Permian Basin (one of the country’s most important oil regions). Key industries include energy (mining/oil & gas extraction is the largest employer sector), retail, education, and related services. Major employers have included companies such as Chevron, Diamondback Energy, and others in energy, plus education and health systems.
The economy has historically been cyclical with oil prices but has pursued diversification into aerospace, logistics/distribution, healthcare, education, and related fields. Unemployment has frequently been among the lowest in Texas (often near or below 3% in recent periods). The metro area has posted strong GDP and income metrics relative to its size, driven heavily by energy.
Some of its attractions include The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, which covers the region’s oil history (the basin was once an ancient sea) as well as museums related to aviation and military history (e.g., American Airpower Heritage Museum / former Confederate Air Force collections). Higher education facilities include Midland College and a Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center campus in the Permian Basin.
The city continues infrastructure projects, economic development (including aerospace/space-related expansions), and quality-of-life investments. It has appeared on various “best places to live” lists for mid-sized cities in recent years, citing jobs, affordability relative to income, and growth. The latest census data show a population of 132,524 in the city proper and a metro area population around 170,000.
Catholic places of interest in Midland/Odessa, Texas:
Midland and Odessa are part of the Diocese of San Angelo.
Midland
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas / “La Promesa”):
This is the primary Catholic landmark of special interest. The outdoor shrine on the parish grounds was dedicated in 1993 by Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI, and features a bronze statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The parish itself traces roots to earlier Midland Catholic communities (including St. George’s, the first Catholic church in Midland around 1898). It has a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, stained-glass windows depicting the apparition to Juan Diego, and bilingual (English/Spanish) Masses. It serves as a focal point for Guadalupe devotion in the region.
Address: 1401 Garden Lane (or E. Garden Ln.), Midland, TX 79701
Phone: 432-682-2581
St. Ann Parish: The oldest continuous Catholic presence in Midland (cornerstone laid 1896; formally a parish by 1933). Current church dedicated 1959. It has historical significance as the early “mother church” and is scheduled to host a monthly Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Missal) beginning late August 2026 in its Holy Family Chapel.
Address: 1906 W. Texas Ave., Midland, TX 79701
Phone: +1 432-682-6303.
San Miguel Arcángel Parish: Larger modern parish with extensive Mass, confession, and adoration schedules (including ad orientem options).
Address: 1100 Camp St., Midland, TX 79701 (432-570-0952). Active bilingual parish.
St. Stephen Parish
Address: 4601 Neely Ave., Midland, TX 79707
Phone: +1 (432-520-7394).
Visit the official website for Saint Stephens Catholic Church in Midland, Texas.
Odessa
Holy Redeemer Parish — 2633 Conover Ave., Odessa, TX 79763 (432-580-4295). Busy bilingual parish with multiple weekend and weekday Masses.
St. Mary Parish — 612 E. 18th St., Odessa, TX 79761 (432-332-5334). Historic parish with roots in the early Catholic community of Odessa (Masses initially attended in Midland in the 1930s); newer sanctuary dedicated in recent years.
St. Joseph & St. Anthony Parishes (linked) — St. Joseph at 907 S. Dixie Blvd.; St. Anthony at 1321 W. Monahans St., Odessa (shared phone 432-337-2213). Spanish- and English-language Masses; one mission in Christ.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish — 7601 N. Grandview Ave., Odessa, TX 79765 (432-367-4657).
Our Lady of San Juan Mission — 905 Edgeport Dr., Odessa, TX 79765 (432-362-2017; under Holy Redeemer).
Holy Cross Catholic High School (4014 Todd Dr. / The Way Retreat Center area, Midland) is the only Catholic high school between Fort Worth and El Paso. It is a growing educational community focused on faith formation.
Traveling to Midland/Odessa, Texas:
By car: Both cities are along the major east-west Interstate 20.
By Air: Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF) is conveniently located between Midland and Odessa, approximately 8 miles from Midland and 14 miles from Odessais served by Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines, offering direct flights to multiple U.S. destinations.
Address: 9506 La Force Blvd, Midland, TX 79706
By train: Amtrak serves Midland/Odessa through its Midland/Odessa Terminal at the Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF) in Midland. The station links major Amtrak routes such as the Texas Eagle, a long-distance passenger train operated daily by Amtrak on a 1,306-mile (2,102 km) route between Chicago, Illinois, and San Antonio, Texas, with major stops in St. Louis, Little Rock, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin. Three days per week, the train joins the Sunset Limited in San Antonio and continues to Los Angeles via El Paso and Tucson.