Colonel Henry L. Kinney of Pennsylvania

The People of Cathedral Parish
1853-2003
There are literally thousands of stories about the people who have been involved with the life of the parish over the past 150 years. Many left examples of faith and courage worthy of reflection as we celebrate our sesquicentennial anniversary. These are only a few of their stories.

When the Corpus Christi Caller announced the funeral of Mrs. Genoveva Cortez Rios de Riviera in February of 1923, it noted that Father Alvarez would be conducting the funeral services for this matriarch and that she had been born in San Antonio in 1810. Senora Riviera had moved to the Corpus Christi area when she was about 17 or 18 years old (circa 1827 or 1828) and was married to Antonio Riviera by Colonel Frederick Belden before then making their residence on the Belden property with Frederick and his wife, Maria Arocha. The obituary was a testimony to the presence of a population in this area even before it was known as Corpus Christi. The article was also a witness to the early Catholic population (including the Rivieras and the Beldens) who were initially served by priests visiting from such places as Laredo and Victoria for years prior to the establishment of a permanent parish in this area. Early records show that after the establishment of Kinney’s Trading Post in 1839, Corpus Christi was visited by such priests as Fathers Estany, Querat, Padey, and Fitzgerald. Fr. Ubald Estany, C.M., was a Vincentian priest who came to Texas with Bishop Odin in 1840, resided on the San Antonio River, and visited villages in a circumference of 400 miles. Capt. W. S. Henry said that he even attended Catholic services at one of the houses on Kinney’s ranch on August 3, 1845. It was Fr. James Fitzgerald, however, who began visiting our area about 1848 to say Mass and administer the sacraments for the growing Catholic community who met in homes like those owned by Richard Power and Cornelius Cahill. Richard Power was born in Waterford, Ireland, in 1804, and died in Corpus Christi on April 11, 1879. He arrived in this area while the future state of Texas was still a part of Mexico.

Cornelius Cahill was the son of Daniel Cahill and Mary McDonald and had emigrated from Ireland with the family to Quebec, then New York, and then New Orleans before settling in Illinois in the fall of 1838. In Illinois he lived near the homes of the Kinneys, Merrimans and others who would later become early Corpus Christi pioneers. While most of the Cahill family remained in Illinois, young Cornelius and his family continued to follow fellow citizens H. L. Kinney, Walter Merriman, and James Myers by moving to the Nueces Valley. Cornelius settled in Corpus Christi in the 1840s as an early merchant and Justice of the Peace. It was in his home that Fr. Fitzgerald stayed and celebrated Mass when visiting and began a collection to build a church for the community.

Fr. Fitzgerald’s plans for a church were cut short when he was caught in a storm. Drenched with rain, he became sick, and in weakened health, died a victim of the yellow fever in Victoria on July 28, 1849, at only 28 years of age. Fr. James Giraudon succeeded Fr. Fitzgerald as pastor in Victoria and continued the practice of visiting such outposts as Corpus Christi, where he, too, celebrated Mass in the home of Mr. Cahill on Water Street or in the home of Richard Powers on Broadway and Lipan.

In 1853 the community welcomed their first resident pastor. Father Bernard O’Reilly was assigned by the Bishop of Galveston (whose diocese included the whole state of Texas) to minister to the Catholics in the area. Fr. O’Reilly was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1821. He had studied at All Hallows College and came to the missionary area of Texas where he was ordained by Bishop Odin of Galveston in 1852. He initially lived with the Cahill family while he applied for citizenship and began completing Fr. Fitzgerald’s plans to build a church. Father O’Reilly had relatives living in the area of Corpus Christi-San Patricio and presumably welcomed the opportunity to take up residence near his family.

The parish community Fr. O’Reilly served would in time reflect the strength of an immigrant nation, America. Irish and Mexican families are often mentioned in connection with the early parish; however, the records reveal a group that came from many different places and cultures and spoke numerous languages. Parish diversity also existed in education, income levels and age. There were those from the eastern states who had grown up and been educated in a much more sophisticated environment, worshiping along with those from a more modest background. There were numerous French parishioners, clerics and women religious. People from Spain, Germany, Switzerland and England attended Mass. All were to contribute to the growth and development of a young, vibrant community. Perhaps the fact that services were in Latin was a good thing, as the congregation spoke a variety of tongues. The soft tones of the priest saying the Mass in Latin must have provided a certain level of comfort to the people, hearing the prayers in a common language, familiar to all, regardless of place of origin.

The year 1853 marks the beginning of the parish’s sacramental records (prior to this, records would have been in such places as Victoria where the visiting priest actually lived). By 1855, services were being conducted in a little adobe church even prior to its completion in 1857. The church was built on a block of land donated by H. L. Kinney and bounded by Leopard, Tancahua, Antelope, and Caranchua Streets. It appears that this first church was built on Tancahua while the second church would be built on the corner of

Caranchua and Antelope. The first church was only a small box about 40 feet on each side with a small bell tower and portico. Because of the many Irish in the community, the name “St. Patrick’s” was given to the parish and the new church.

Along with Irish and Mexican parishioners, other immigrants brought their own special talents and skills learned in their native lands and put to good use in the new parish. Artisan and master carver, Bloze Mathias Baldeschwiler from Switzerland, carved all the woodwork for the first small church. Unfortunately, none of his work survives; however, someday some small piece may be found. Records also show that Irishman, James McBride, helped with the actual building. It is probable that others, particularly the native born Tejanos, gave of their talents to build and adorn the church with the best that was available to them.

Three traditions of the parish - education, social service, and music - existed since its beginning. A fourth might be said to be outstanding generosity. Parishioners gave their material possessions as well as their talent and energy to the Church. Early wills record gifts of land and buildings. In 1858, the testament of Gilbert McGloin bequeaths a sizeable tract of land to Fr. O’Reilly for sale or use by the Church. In another will, widow Bridget Kelly left her home to the Church. Others gave as needs arose. From this generosity the parish was able to grow in its life of faith and service.

Father John McGee arrived in Corpus Christi in 1861. He immediately organized the building of a rectory on Antelope Street behind the church.