Saint Joseph Catholic Church

A group of Polish immigrants from Upper Silesia (Prussian-occupied Poland) moved to this area in 1858, after a brief settlement in Karnes County. Here the prairies could be plowed and oaks could be felled for building shelter. They called their community (then 1.5 mi. W) Gazeta after nearby Garcitas Creek. Traveling priests served the religious needs of the settlers, while marriages, baptisms, and funerals were recorded at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Victoria (14.5 mi. SW). In 1873 Frank Garvel conveyed one acre in Gazeta for a church, which was dedicated to St. Theresa. After 1886, the area's settlement shifted to the town of Inez, established on a new railroad line. In 1889 the Catholic Church acquired three lots here for $40, and the Gazeta church was dismantled and moved to Inez. Lumber dealer Henry C. Koontz directed the reconstruction, and Father Thomas Moczyjemba dedicated the church to St. Joseph in 1890. The first resident pastor, Father Henry Pensick was appointed in 1933, also serving mission churches at La Salle (10.5 mi SE) and Bloomington (19 mi SSW). In 1963 a fire destroyed the frame church building and damaged the rectory. A new brick structure was quickly erected by the congregation and dedicated in 1964. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986

Saint Joseph Catholic Church is a historical marker in Inez, Victoria County, dedicated in 1986. It is one of 96 historical markers documented in Victoria County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 235 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 28.9037, -96.7906 near Inez. The nearest cataloged historic site is Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Saint Joseph Cemetery, Fort St. Louis, and Farrer Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5469006565. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.