St. Ambrose Church (Diocese of San Angelo)
St. Ambrose Church (Diocese of San Angelo) is a Catholic parish located in Wall, Texas, within the Diocese of San Angelo. Dedicated to Saint Ambrose, the 4th-century Bishop of Milan known for his theological writings and pastoral leadership, the parish serves as a spiritual and community hub in the Tom Green Deanery, with a mission church, Holy Family Mission, in nearby Mereta. The parish is renowned for its rich history tied to German and Czech immigrant families, its vibrant Fall Festival, and its commitment to family-oriented ministries.[1][2]
Founded in 1943, St. Ambrose Church has grown from a mission established in 1940 to serve 190 registered households, offering Masses, sacramental programs, and community outreach initiatives. The parish’s annual Fall Festival, drawing thousands, is a cornerstone event featuring meals, auctions, and entertainment. With a focus on spiritual growth through Eucharistic adoration and confession, St. Ambrose remains a vital part of the Diocese of San Angelo, fostering faith and community in West Texas.[1][3]
| St. Ambrose Church | |
| Dedication: | Saint Ambrose |
| Venerated Saints: | |
| Diocese: | Diocese of San Angelo |
| Deanery: | Tom Green Deanery |
| Address: | PO Box 228, Wall, TX 76957 |
| Coordinates: | 31.1349, -100.6397 |
| City: | Wall, TX |
| Subdivision: | Texas |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Tom Green County |
| Website: | https://www.saint-ambrose.org |
| Founded: | 1943 |
| School: | No |
| Email: | wall@sanangelodiocese.org |
History
St. Ambrose Church traces its origins to 1940, when German and Czech Catholic families in Wall, Texas, many from St. Joseph and St. Boniface parishes in Runnels County, met to discuss building a church. Initially a mission under the Diocese of Amarillo, Masses were held at the Wall Methodist Church, led by Monsignor Francis J. Pokluda of St. Joseph Parish in Rowena. The parish was formally established on May 15, 1943, by the newly formed Diocese of San Angelo, with land purchased from A.W. Strube, Sr. for $900. The church, built in the Roman style inspired by the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan, was dedicated on December 7, 1941, with a cornerstone laid on April 6, 1941.[1][4]
The parish grew to serve 84 families by 1941, with significant community support, including cotton donations for funding. In 1963, Holy Family Mission in Mereta was established with a $10,000 grant from the Catholic Church Extension Society and land donated by Ed and Mrs. Wanoreck, Sr. The church was remodeled in 1981 under Father Kevin J. Heyburn to align with Second Vatican Council reforms. Today, St. Ambrose serves 190 households, offering Masses at both St. Ambrose and Holy Family, and hosts the annual Fall Festival, a major fundraiser featuring meals and auctions.[4][3]
Special features
- Annual Fall Festival: A major community event held annually (e.g., October 20, 2024), featuring meals, auctions, sausage sales, and entertainment, drawing thousands to Wall.[3][5]
- Holy Family Mission: A mission church in Mereta, served by St. Ambrose’s pastor, offering Sunday Mass at 10:45 AM.[1]
- Eucharistic Adoration: Held every Friday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, fostering spiritual reflection.[1]
- German and Czech Heritage: Reflects the cultural legacy of its founding families, evident in community traditions like the Fall Festival.[4]
Related parishes
- St. Joseph Church (Diocese of San Angelo) – A nearby parish in Rowena, historically linked to St. Ambrose’s founding families.[4]
- St. Boniface Church (Diocese of San Angelo) – Another parish in Olfen, contributing to St. Ambrose’s early development.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "St. Ambrose/Holy Family". St. Ambrose Catholic Church. https://www.saint-ambrose.org.
- ↑ "St. Ambrose Parish". Diocese of Youngstown. https://doy.org/location/st-ambrose-church-garrettsville/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Photos: St. Ambrose Fall Festival in Wall Draws Thousands". San Angelo LIVE!. https://sanangelolive.com.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "St. Ambrose/Holy Family - History". St. Ambrose Catholic Church. https://www.saint-ambrose.org/history.
- ↑ "Fall Festival - St. Ambrose Parish, Wall". Diocese of San Angelo. https://sanangelodiocese.org.