History of St. Monica Catholic Church
The seeds of Christianity were first sown in what is now Texas 36 years after Columbus discovered America. It was in 1528 when an expedition accompanied by the missionaries coming to Texas by sea was shipwrecked near Galvestion.

In 1544 another expedition moved into Texas by way of Mexico accompanied by a Franciscan Friar named Juan De Paddilla and penetrated as far as what is now known as the Texas Panhandle. He labored among the Pueblo Indians and proved successful in winning the confidence of these Indians. However on one occasion, the Indians went on a war path and killed Friar Juan. He became the first martyr to give his life for the faith in the land which was within the limits of the future Diocese of Galveston.

As it is well recognized in history, the blood of this martyr became the seed of Christians. By 1629, the Franciscans of Mexico penetrated as far as San Angelo. By 1731 a permanent mission was established in San Antonio. Settlers began arriving in Texas, but they did not have the services of a priest except those closely connected with the missions in San Antonio, Galveston, and other localities scattered thru the territory extending from Florida to the Pacific Ocean.

Catholicism was carried into Central Texas on the back of a young Spanish friar, who brought the hopes and fervor of the faith to the dusty hills with twisted mesquite trees in the 1740’s. Friar Mariano de los Delores y Vina, a Franciscan missionary at San Antonio de Valero, in January, 1746, met members of four Tonkowa tribes in what is today Milam County. They chose a site on the south bank of the San Xavier, near where Brushy Creek (known then as Arroyo Animos) runs into the San Xavier (now San Gabriel). Although the settlements they established there disappeared in a few short years, undermined by disease, bad weather, military indiscipline, and an unsolved double killing that left a wronged husband and a missionary dead, the faith did not die.

They hewed churches and schools out of post oak, pine and cedar. Dominican sisters, Franciscan and Holy Cross priests and brothers, and others pledged to the Church, came with them to teach, heal and serve. Many of the immigrants who came from Europe were fleeing not only economic hardships, but also military conscription and religious persecutions. Their faith carried them through the hardships, and in recognition of that, they made it a priority to build churches, schools, and hospitals in the new wilderness. Those institutions, in turn, bonded the Catholic immigrants to each other, preserving the faith and traditions of Europe while preparing them for the possibilities of Texas.

Well into the second half of the 20th century, it was not unusual for a Catholic in a rural community of Central Texas to grow up speaking German, Czech, Polish, Italian or Spanish at home. The traditional ways were closely kept by the fathers at church, the sisters at school, and the parents and grandparents at home. It is said that “money that might have begun family fortunes, instead the members of the Catholic communities sacrificed for churches, schools, and charitable institutions.”. The Spanish coming from Mexico were the first immigrants to Central Texas in the 1500’s followed by the Germans who were among the first Europeans to settle in Texas. The pace of Czech immigration picked up around 1850 and other nationalities soon immigrated to America and what now is Texas to find a better place to live and raise their family.

By 1839 there were enough Catholics, who came to the territory, later known as Texas, to warrant the Holy See (Pope) to establish Texas as an Apostolic Perfecture with Father John Odin as the Vicar Apostolic. In 1847, the Diocese of Galveston was established and Father Odin was consecrated as the First Bishop. He served the diocese until 1861 when he was elevated and installed as the Archbishop of New Orleans.

The foregoing is actually part of the history of St. Monica’s Parish in Cameron (Milam County), Texas. It was during these years that the ground work for the Catholic Church in Texas was laid. When Catholics began arriving from Europe thru the Port of Galveston and making their way inland, many settled in and around Cameron. They brought their faith with them but lacked the service of a priest. Their spiritual needs was supplied by the priest from the neighboring parishes of Taylor, Burlington, Austin and Temple. On June 2, 1883, Fr. Lauth, stationed in Austin, held the first mass in the home of Mr. & Mrs. David Meyer. Fr. Lauth spoke words of encouragement to the members assembled, remarking that the number was small at present, but he hoped and prayed that the number would be much larger in the near future. Following the services, the Meyer’s had prepared a substantial meal for the group, and all were delighted to have a priest in their midst and to have the blessing of divine services. The Meyer’s donated five acres of land on which the future church was to be built and two acres were set aside for burial purposes. Mr. Meyer was not a Catholic, but his wife was very considerate, kind and generous to the Catholic Community. David Meyer died in 1887. Fr. Lauth came occasionally as circumstances permitted to supply the spiritual needs of this growing parish. Services were conducted in various homes in the community – Joseph Mondrik, Anton Kunz, August Moraw, John Hollas as well as in the courthouse, the Elm Ridge School, the Marak School, and the Ad Hall School. When services were held along with baptisms, many non-Catholics attended and enjoyed the services, the sermons and showed their appreciation by contributing generously when the collection plate was passed around.

In 1886, Fr. P.M. Lennarth was appointed pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Temple and the mission Church of Cameron was placed under his jurisdiction. He realized the need for a church for this mission due to the increasing enrollment. In 1889, the people of the Cameron Community under his direction, built a brick church, thirty by forty feet on the land that the Meyers had donated previously. John Matulik of Cyclone, Texas was the contractor and Captain J. J. Irwin did the brick work. In 1890 after completion, it was placed under tutelage of St. Anthony of Padua; there is no record of the Church being dedicated.

Fr. Heckman served the Cameron Community until 1890 when Fr. Dennis Logue was given charge of Burlington for two years. Others who served the mission of Cameron were Fr.Thomas Keaney, M.M. Crowe, and B.C. Pfiffner, J.D.C. until 1894. Fr.Peter Bienemann was appointed in 1894 to Burlington, with Cameron as a mission.

One of the first undertakings of Fr. Biennemann was to establish a school in Cameron. After obtaining permission from Bishop N. A. Gallagher of the Galveston Diocese and Mother Mary Florence, Superior General of the Sisters of Divine Providence in San Antonio to operate and staff the school, permission was granted . School was held in the church until a school building could be erected. Two sisters arrived in February 1896 and school was opened. Sister Mary Rose was the first Sister Superioress (or principal) of St. Anthony School and Sister Mary Anthony assisted in teaching the 60 students that had enrolled that first year. The curriculum was much the same as that of any other school of its day ~ Catechism, arithmetic, English, geography, music and physiology. Professor O’Shea, the principal of Cameron Public School worked very closely with the Sisters of St. Anthony.

In 1904, St. Anthony School had its’ first school building constructed at a cost of $1,400.00. It was a wood frame structure with 3 rooms. Enrollment was 110 students and composed of a large number of Protestants.

It was also under this able administration, that the second Church was erected in 1904, it was a beautiful edifice Church. Following the Staats Verband convention (The Catholic State League) in Westphalia the previous year, the community of Cameron was greatly enthused and asked to have the next Verband. They also promised to build a new Church for the Verband. Things moved rapidly and there was no time to be lost. Plans were furnished by Mr. Leo Dielmann, committees appointed and the building begun. On December 13, 1904, St. Monica’s Catholic Church was dedicated by the Right Rev. N. A. Gallagher, D. D., assisted by Rev. P. Clancy of Waco, who delivered the sermon, and pastor, Rev. Peter Bienemann. Reason for the change in patronage from St. Anthony to St. Monica is not known; the school retained the name of St. Anthony. In the Spring of 1905, Fr. Bienemann was appointed pastor at Taylor.

The Rev. Simon Spinneweber took charge as the first resident pastor of St. Monica’s on June 5, 1905 and it became an independent parish. The Staats Verband took place on July 18 and 19, 1905, and it was a great celebration. Priests were here from every part of the great State of Texas and delegates too numerous to mention. After the Verband, the first care was to build a home for the new pastor. This was done in a short time.

In the years preceeding World War I, St. Anthony’s enrollment increased considerably, principally with children of German and Czech descent. Thus tension between the groups naturally developed during those war years. American loyalty was frequently pushed aside in favor of the distinctive ancestries. Anticipating more serious trouble, the sisters found it necessary to intervene and emphasize the fact that Americanism and American loyalty must come first. The depression following the war did not noticeably effect the functioning of the school.

During the administration of Fr. Spinneweber, there were a number of improvements made to the church, the Sister’s home, school and the rectory. Attendence increased at Church necessitating two services on Sundays and Holidays. The parishioners realized that much work needed to be done in the parish, but the economic situation delayed the plans until more favorable times. They kept working towards the building of a new school. Fr. Spinneweber deserves much credit for his work and supervision. Because of ill-health, he was forced to resign his pastorship at St. Monica’s in 1924. After travel and light labors for a limited time, he settled in Houston until his death, April 12, 1931. During his time in Cameron, some Masses were celebrated in the Czech language.

Fr. George Apel was transferred from St. Mary’s in Plantersville, Texas, to Cameron and took possession of the parish on July 17, 1924. Three years later, tragedy struck the parish as the church built in 1904 burned on February 19, 1927. The fire was started by a wood stove on the north wall of the Church. The loss was faced nobly by the parish. Arrangements were started immediately for reconstruction. The people realized that with the growth of the community, new arrivals yearly from Europe, Germany, Mexico and various other countries, they needed a larger church. A 50 x 120 ft. long red brick and hollow tile Church that could seat 500 people was planned by Mr. Leo M.J. Dielmann of San Antonio and constructed by Petzold and Vuilumen of Marlin, Texas. Ground was broken on June 29, the corner stone was laid with pomp and ceremony by the Most Rev. Christopher E. Byrne of Galveston on September 4, 1927. Fr. Apel and his splendid building committee of Dr. E. Rischar, Raymond Richter, Frank Marak, O. Anderle, B. P. Matocha, Joe J. Michalka, Joe Hollas, August Kunz, Henry Schattle, Vince Kubecka, Richard Lehnert and H. Boedeker , accepted the completed Church in June, 1928. As Bishop Byrne made the final inspection with Fr. Apel in silence, he finally vouchsafed these words which found an echo in the hearts of every parishioner of St. Monica’s: “ It is beautiful.” On Sunday, June 27, 1928, dedication was held by the Most Rev. Christopher E. Bryne, Bishop of the Galveston Diocese. The ornate building exhibits influences of Palladian and Italian Romanesque architecture, an unusual combination for a Roman Catholic Church in Texas. Other outstanding features include the Doric portico and the Lombard Romanesque styled bell tower. The repaired stained glass windows from the burned church were used on the new church and parishioners or groups purchased additional large stained glass windows depicting Biblical scenes that inspire the devotion of the faithful. The two bells in the bell tower have an inscription on them. One has ‘In Memory Jos. & Philomena Jistel” while the other one reads, ‘Laudo Deum Verum, Plebem Voco, Pestem fugo, Festem decoro, Rev Geo Apel Pastor’. (This latin inscription translates to: I praise the true God, I summon the people, I lament the dead, I chase away the pestilence, I embellish festivity.) At the top of the bell it also has ‘The E.W. Vanduzean Co. 1825 Cincinnati. St. Monica’s parishioners generously gave towards the purchase of items necessary for furnishing their beloved place of worship even though times were very hard then.

Fr. Apel traveled to Europe and while in Germany, purchased golden altar vessels studded with precious jewels. Later the Church was broken into one night, the tabernacle door made of gold was torn off and all the vessels were taken. The safe was broken open and approximately $50,000.00 worth of items taken and never recovered. Golden candlesticks and golden sanctuary lamp also vanished, unleaven bread used for Holy Communion was scattered through out the Church. Luckily, Fr. Apel had a chalice in his house that he could use for Mass until replacements could be purchased.

In 1933, St. Monica’s Catholic Church celebrated it’s Golden Jubilee with a Pontifical High Mass at 9:30 AM with The Most Rev. Christopher E. Byrne, Bishop of Galveston, officiating and about 40 priests were present. At 11 AM a parade of progress was held; it was headed by the Cameron Pioneer Band followed by old time vehicles occupied by people dressed in fashions of 1860, then a float of co-eds dressed in the prevailing costumes and colors. The latest car models followed, filled with happy children, the Municipal Band and then the Catholic Boy Scouts, Troop 52. A noon meal was served and at 1:30 PM a program. Games and entertainment followed, at 6 PM supper was served and then a dance was held in the Knights of Columbus Hall starting at 8 PM.

In the meantime, enrollment of St. Anthony School continued to increase and the school could no longer accommodate this enrollment. Plans were made for a new school to replace the one built in 1904. A brick building consisting of four large classrooms was dedicated and made ready for occupancy by the Fall of 1935. Fr. Apel died in Cameron on June 23, 1939 and buried at the front of St. Monica’s Church.

Fr. George Duda was transferred to St. Monica’s from St. Martin’s in Tours, Texas. He received his appointment effective on October 7, 1939. He immediately saw the need of many improvements that had been delayed due to economic reasons. With the cooperation of the people, plans were made for the building of new facilities for the sisters and the priest – a convent and rectory. These were both completed in 1940. After the convent and rectory were paid, plans were made for the building of a recreational hall. The auditorium of the hall would be 70 ft. by 54 ft. of knotted light pine in a natural finish. The facility would provide for all forms of recreation, including basketball and volleyball. A movie projector room was provided and a large stage, 28 x 24 ft. was built with inside and outside sceneries. It was given the name – Simon & George Hall to honor the first two pastors of St. Monica’s – Fr. Simon Spinneweber and Fr. George Apel. The cost including the architects fee was $46,112.00 and the contents $7,624.00 making a total of $53,736.00. John Zarosky served as construction foreman. The hall was dedicated on July 3, 1949.

While visiting Italy, Fr. Duda purchased a statue of St. Monica and angels for the high altar at St. Monica’s Church. In November 1947, an organ was purchased for the Church choir loft per contract with The Kilgen Organ Co of St. Louis, Mo. Total cost for the organ and piping was $2,900.00.

Then in November 1947, the Galveston Diocese was divided and St. Monica’s was now within the newly formed Austin Diocese. The Austin Diocese became the seventh diocese in Texas. It was established in response to the tremendous growth and development of Central Texas. The original boundaries of the diocese consisted of 30 Texas counties, over 25,000 square miles and more than 75,000 registered Catholics. Bishop Louis J. Reicher, “the builder bishop”, was installed on May 13, 1948 as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Austin. He previously had 30 years of ministry in the Galveston Diocese. He had built a reputation as a shrewd financial manager, and was credited with keeping the diocese solvent during the Great Depression.

In 1956, Fr. Duda talked of organizing a Parents Teachers Association for the school. In September one was organized for the supporting school related projects and the betterment of the students. This organization had numerous fund raisers yearly to assist with the cost of operating the school until its closure in 1971.

Fr. George Duda, who served St. Monica’s as pastor for almost twenty years, was killed in an automobile accident on March 18, 1959. He is buried in St. Monica’s Cemetery. He celebrated some of the Masses in German. Fr. Alfred Kallus, who was the associate pastor at this time, was made the administrator of the parish until a new pastor would be appointed.

Fr. John Geiser, who had served as pastor of St. Martin’s in Tours, arrived on July 4, 1959 to take over as pastor of St. Monica’s. Fr. Kallus remained associate pastor. It soon became evident to Fr. Geiser that with the ever increasing enrollment of students, the facilities of the school were not adequate. In 1960, a portion of the Ad Hall School at Pettibone was purchased and moved to the parish to serve as a temporary classroom for the first grade. Land adjacent to the school was purchased to be used as a playground for the students also.

In 1961, the school was furnished with modern indoor toilet facilities for a cost of $5,397.28. Thus, the 1929 outdoor facilities were eliminated.

During the year of 1962, the rectory was remodeled. It was originally built to accommodate one priest in 1940. The cost of this remodeling was $21,000.00. Time and elements always take their toll. The parish hall known as Simon & George Hall was not adequate to meet the needs of the parish. Much thought was given to the feasibility of erecting a new hall, but the people came to the conclusion that because of the circumstances economically and there were so many things that should take priority, such a project would have to be postponed. However, John Zarosky, who supervised the original hall construction was given the responsibility of doing the necessary remodeling and repairs that needed to be done at only a nominal fee of what a new construction would cost.

In 1963, thanks to the generosity of Miss Aetna Smith, the Mother’s room (Cry Room) and a rest room was added in the back of Church. It was during this period that the new confessionals were installed along with the cooling and heating system and the public address system for the Church.

In 1964, a tract of land was bought from Cameron Compress to serve as more playground and recreational area for the Catholic Youth Organization and the community in general. A tract of land had been donated by Miss Mae Gardner and sold for $9,000.00. This money and $1,000.00 additional from parish funds was used to make the land purchase.


Vatican II had sessions in Rome from 1962 to 1965. Vatican II changed the church in fundamental ways. Worship was conducted in the language of the parishioners - English, rather than in Latin and forms of worship were expanded. .The church’s commitment to the poor, and to fight for social justice, was intensified as well as to support religious freedom and support relationships with other Christian religions.

In 1965, and additional classroom was built to take care of the school needs and space was provided in the parish hall for two additional classrooms. In 1964/1965 enrollment at the school reached 192, a record high. St. Anthony School began to participate in the Federal School Program under Title I and additional teachers were added to the staff. In January 1966, parishioners considered enlarging the school as its orginal constgruction would allow expansion. A committee was selected to look into this matter. After looking at the financial situation of the parish and a generous contribution left to the school by the Rischar Trust, they recommended proceeding with the project. Nothing could be done until the next general meeting since the full backing to the parish would be required. At this time the staff of St. Anthony School consisted of three nuns, four regular lay teachers and three lay teachers involved with the Government Title I program.

At the 1967 January parish general meeting, the committee was authorized to proceed with the plans of four additional classrooms, a teacher’s lounge, and school office. Walter Cooke Jr. of Waco was selected as the architect and Wilson Construction Co of Belton was given the contract for the construction. Due to favorable weather conditions, construction began very rapidly and was completed for the opening of classes on September 5, 1967. The cost of the building program amounted to $57,337.00. It was also decided at this meeting to renovate the interior of the Church. The ceiling and walls were sand blasted, acoustical tiling applied, and the complete interior as well as the Stations of the Cross were painted and trimmed in gold leaf at a cost of $9,460.00.

Due to the new convent being built for the Sisters of Charity at St. Edward’s Hospital in Cameron, no new projects were planned for St. Monica’s. The parish decided that they would concentrate their efforts on helping the Sisters with their project. A contribution of $5,959.00 was reached by the parish by means of various fundraisers.

With the lack of religious vocations to staff the school and the increased cost of conducting the school with all the new requirements demanded for affiliation, it was decided to drop the 7th and 8th grades during the following year of 1970 – 1971 and concentrate on the other grades.

Then in 1971 with even more difficult economical conditions prevailing and the lack of nuns to staff the school, no other choice was seen but to close the school. This caused many broken hearts in the parish since the school had existed since 1896, five years before the parish had a resident pastor and the parish had provided 75 years of Catholic education to the area children. Plans were made for two Sisters of Divine Providence to train lay catechists to be volunteers in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrines (CCD) program to promote the Catholic faith in the parish children.

With the closing of the school and saving of finances, greater efforts were concentrated on improvements needed in the parish. During 1972, new benches were obtained for the church at a cost of $9,038.00. The parking lot between the church and school was hard surfaced for $4,281.00. The St. Monica’s Ladies Society installed new carpeting in the church and the exterior of the church was painted at a cost of $3,850.00. It became evident that there was some defective wiring in the church and instead of running the risk of a fire again, the decision to rewire the church for $1,150.00 was reached.

In 1971, the Austin Diocese named its’ second bishop, Bishop Vincent Harris. His steady hand led the diocese through the turbulent 1970’s and early 1980’s.

In 1973, the parish council considered the possibility of a Mausoleum for St. Monica’s. The size of the Memorial was determined by the number of crypts sold. A fund was set up to provide continual maintenance of the Mausoleum. The response was favorable and it was completed by year end.

The project for 1974 was the purchasing of an electronic organ which was to be placed downstairs to promote more active participation by the people in congregational signing. The organ was installed for a cost of $4,715.00.

For some time the question of remodeling or rebuilding of the Simon & George Hall was under discussion among the parishioners. The subject was brought out at the January 1975 meeting. Everyone realized that because of inadequate heating and cooling, poor lighting and acoustics plus the conditions of the restrooms, something should be done. Various possibilities were discussed but no conclusion was reached. Finally the parish council was authorized to select a committee to further investigate the situation. Another meeting was called in March at which time the committee submitted their findings. Since the present building was found to be substantially very sound, the majority appeared to go along with remodeling the hall. The building committee engaged Danze & Davis Architects, Inc of Austin to submit specifications for remodeling and new construction with an approximate cost of each. Meeting after meeting was held by the committee in conjunction with the architect, plans were revised and revised again until finally a decision to remodel the present building as a foundation. The architect assured the committee that it would be the cheaper and feasible route to go.

Plans were submitted to the contractors and the lowest bid submitted amounted to $219,000.00. In view of the financial situation, the bids were all turned down. The committee then requested to look into the possibility of having the work done on a cost-plus basis. Plans were submitted to Vanicek Construction Co. of Temple. The bishop gave his approval in May of 1975. Due to the fact that Vanicek was very busy in building the Austin Diocese Cedarbreak project at Belton, Simon & George Hall remodeling was delayed. On August 1, 1977, the project begun the day that Fr. John Geiser relinquished his stewardship as pastor of St. Monica’s Parish. The total cost including the architects’ fee amounted to $201,000.00 which was considerably less than the lowest bid in 1975.

Father Alois Pavlicek who was the associate at St. Monica’s, was appointed as the Administrator when Fr. Geiser resigned as pastor. He served as administrator from 1978 to 1982. In 1979, the barbeque pit near Simon & George Hall was built.

On Janury 3, 1976 , the Mexican-American Catholic Community’s Blessed Sacrament Church, which was only a few blocks from St. Monica’s on Batte Street, burned to the ground. This Mexican Community of Cameron, had begun having regular religious services with the Missionary Franciscans Fathers, TOR (Third Order Regular) from Majorca who Bishop Christopher E. Bryne of the Galveston Diocese had contacted in 1924. At first, services were held twice a month, but beginning in 1933, there were services every Saturday and Sunday.

In 1926 a committee was organized to buy some land and build a church to accommodate this growing Catholic community. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in August, 1927, and construction began immediately. Bishop Bryne assisted in laying the cornerstone for the church. On October 27, 1927, Bishop Byrne returned to bless the new church and dedicated it to the Blessed Sacrament. The total cost was $6,000.00. The frame structure had a seating capacity of 260. About $2,500.00 was paid from funds collected and individual donations. The rest was taken care of by a loan from the bank and paid off in annual notes.

Father Gabriel Tous, TOR, was in charge of this mission from its beginning until 1931. Father Miguel Munar, TOR, replaced him and said mass every Sunday for twelve years. Many improvements were made during his stay. On April 5, 1936, the building housing the hall and priest’s residence was dedicated to Our Lady of Refuge. In 1938, an entrance was added to the church and in 1940, pavement and a cement bridge were added to the front of the church. On October 1, 1940, the final payment on the note was made.

Father Miguel Munar died on December 9, 1943 on the road to Cameron. He was succeeded by Father William Buades, TOR. Others serving the Blessed Sacrament parish were Father Francisco Guals, TOR; Father Antonio Frontera, TOR; Father Antonio Terrassa, TOR; and Father James Greenwell, TOR. from Sacred Heart at Waco.

Blessed Sacrament is listed as a mission Church of St. Francis on the Brazos of Waco from 1928 to 1959. It was a mission to Our Lady of Guadalupe of Temple from 1960 to 1966 and then a mission of Sacred Heart, Waco from 1967 to 1976 according to the Official Catholic Directory, Austin, Texas.

This Mexican-American community was greatly saddened by the unfortunate event of the destruction of their Church. The parishioners wanted to rebuild the Blessed Sacrament Church, but the Bishop of the Austin Diocese, the Rev. Vincent Harris, asked the parish to join St. Monica’s Parish in Cameron instead of rebuilding. St. Monica’s celebrates one Spanish speaking Mass every Sunday and occasionally a bi-lingual Mass.

Organizations at the Blessed Sacrament Church included Santo Nombre (Holy Name), a men’s group; the Vela Perpetual, the ladies group; Higas de Maria, the young girl’s group (from 1st Communion till marriage); and the Cruzada de Rosario, the Rosary Crusade group (met to pray the rosary and occasionally had a procession around the Church to the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima at the Blessed Sacrament Church). When the two Catholic Churches combined, only the Vela Perpetual, Higas de Maria and Cruzada de Rosario groups continued for a few years.

St. Monica’s Parish was assigned Father Tom Chamberlain in September of 1982. He previously was at St. Mary’s in Temple. He also served Cameron’s mission church, Sts. Cyril & Methodious Parish in Marak . He remained at St. Monica’s until 1989.

In 1983, St. Monica’s celebrated it’s 100th (Centennial) anniversary with a special service on June 5. The principal celebrant was the Most Rev. Vincent M. Harris, D.D. , Bishop of Austin Diocese. Mass concelebrants were Rev. Msgr. Edward Matocha, Rev. Msgr. Arthur Michalka, Rev. Aleck Lazek, Rev. Paul McCallum, Rev. Emilian Foltyn, Rev. William Benish and Rev. Tom Chamberlain, Pastor.

On Sunday afternoon, December 3, 1983, parishioners gathered to unveil the historical marker commemorating their century-old place of workship. Mrs. Marjorie Richter Zarosky and Mrs. Pam Green worked on obtaining the marker. On the program was Cameron Mayor, Mildred Thornton; Marjorie Zarosky , Laurence Zotz; Mrs. Douglas Perrin; the Rev. Tom Chamberlain, pastor of St. Monica’s, Mrs. Frank Hanel and Edmund Boedecher, both descendants of early church families. The marker was later mounted on the north side of the entrance doors to the Church.

In December 1985, Bishop John McCarthy of Houston became the third Bishop of the Austin Dioceses. Cameron is one of the 125 faith communities in the Austin Dioceses.

Rev. Chamberlain worked endlessly with the ministries at St. Monica’s. He joined the Cameron Ministerial Alliance and worked with other ministers of Cameron churches to open the Cameron Area Christian Services/Cameron Thrift Store in September, 1987. This helped the area people in need. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, the needy families received a sack of food to assist with family meals during the holidays. Area church ladies volunteered to help run the Thrift Store. At present, Mrs. Charles (Frances) McDermott runs the store.

In 1989 till 1991, Cameron had Rev. Ryszard (Richard) Goluch as pastor of the parish. Then in 1991, Rev. Thomas J. Hanus was assigned as pastor of St. Monica’s until 2005. He celebrated his 35th year of Ordination in May 2001. Fr. Tom Hanus took a medical leave of absence from his position.

In 1997, the Diocese of Austin celebrated it’s Jubilee Year (50th Anniversary). St. Monica’s in Cameron was selected as one of the four locations in the diocese to celebrate a mass in this Year of Jubilee, it took place on September 14, 1997. St. Monica’s Parish in Cameron is close to the first Spanish mission established in the diocese. Catholicism in Central Texas can trace roots back to Spanish missionaries who established missions in Milam County in the 1740’s, although the missions were short-lived. Those early Franciscans’ efforts were honored by an open air Mass on October 4, 1997, the feast of their patron- Saint Frances of Assisi, at the actual site of the first Catholic missions located along the San Gabriel River in Milam County. A Mass of Thanksgiving and the closing of the Jubilee Year was celebrated on the Third Sunday of Easter, April 26, 1998 at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton, Texas. St. Monica’s was represented and had made a banner for the parish to exhibit along with all other diocese parishes during this special Jubilee Year.

On June 2, 2000, the Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, D.D., was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of the Austin Diocese and served until August 2009 as the Bishop of the Austin Diocese. There are approximately 125 parishes in the Austin Diocese today.

Spring of 2002, the large CCE classrooms were divided and the ceilings lowered to conserve energy by EBCO for $27,900.00 plus electrical heat and air conditioning were added for $5,700.00.

In 2003, a parish metal storage building was erected by the Knights of Columbus Council No. 12601. The materials for the building were donated by Anton and Vince Reisner Jr. in memory of their parents and brother, Vince & Josie Reisner Sr. and Joseph Reisner.

In March 2004, repairs to the Simon & George Hall were made. The parish replaced 8 gas furnaces and 4 cooling coils at a cost of $12,717.00.

August 2005, St. Monica’s welcomed Rev. Chris Coleman, M.S.C.., a native of County Cork Ireland, as pastor. Fr. Coleman had been Associate Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in College Station prior to coming to Cameron. He celebrated his 40th Jubilee on December 18, 2005 with a special Mass at St. Monica’s followed by a reception in Simon & George Hall.

In 2006, the Austin Diocese started a Diocesan Capital Campaign which had a goal of $45 million. Funds were needed to meet the demands of this young and growing diocese in Central Texas, seminarian education and formation, priest retirement, permanent diaconate education and formation, catholic education and formation, Catholic charities, parish needs and other potential needs. St. Monica’s goal set by the Dioceses was $155,000.00, they had pledges totaling $ 279,000.00. Payments to the Campaign are to be made in 5 years

The Batte Street property (Blessed Sacrament Church property) was sold to the Vela family for $40,000.00 in 2007 and the money used to pay a parish loan off. . The rectory had an outside face lift – wood trim and windows were painted. New gutters and the garage roof was replaced.

In 2008, the first St. Anthony School Reunion was held on April 12 in Simon & George Hall with over 200 people attending. They toured the school where many fond memories were discussed followed by a Mass celebrated by Fr. Daniel Garcia, former student of St. Anthony School.

The exterior of the Church has been painted by Michalka-Tucker Painting of Rogers, the bell tower has been repaired by EBCO of Cameron and some roof repairs have been worked on so far in 2008. June 8, 2008 marked the 125th Celebration of the founding of St. Monica’s Parish. The celebration began with a Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, Bishop of Austin Dioceses, and the clergy from St. Monica’s, followed by a noon meal and reception in Simon & George Hall.

In June 2008, St. Monica’s Parish of approximately 600 families saw Rev. Chris Coleman, M.S.C. return to Ireland and serve the parish of St. Bridgett in Castlehaven. He had been in the United States for 32 years.
The current pastor of St. Monica’s is Rev. Jim F Chamberlain.