Saint Mary Church before restoration

Saint Mary Church before restoration

Saint Mary Church Restoration Project

Leading by example League City Historical Society and its members worked to move and restore Saint Mary Church. Ensuring this historic landmark would be preserved and not lost to the growth of the city. As League City grew, Main Street / FM 518 was widened and came too near the church entrance to be safe. It was clear that the building needed to be moved farther back from the street. Volunteers devoted hundreds of hours to restoring the church, which had fallen into disrepair over the years.

Saint Mary Church after restoration

Saint Mary Church after restoration

 

Old Saint Mary Church through the years

 
A hand painted scene formed a beautiful background for the original altar at the old St. Mary Church.

A hand painted scene formed a beautiful background for the original altar at the old St. Mary Church.

 
The 1942 First Communion class stands on the porch of the old church.

The 1942 First Communion class stands on the porch of the old church.

Nick Delasandri and Nick Fillippa stand on the porch on their First Communion Day.

Nick Delasandri and Nick Fillippa stand on the porch on their First Communion Day.

 
Evelyn Habluetzel and Angelo Arolfo married on September 25, 1948.

Evelyn Habluetzel and Angelo Arolfo married on September 25, 1948.

Evelyn Arolfo pauses for a picture on her happy day.

Evelyn Arolfo pauses for a picture on her happy day.

 
 
Henrietta and Ralph Aldape married in the old St. Mary Church on April 11, 1953.

Henrietta and Ralph Aldape married in the old St. Mary Church on April 11, 1953.

Henrietta and Ralph Aldape married in the old St. Mary Church on April 11, 1953. They are the only couple in the parish to have celebrated their marriage in all three churches: on their 25th wedding anniversary they renewed their vows in the second St. Mary's, and on their 50th anniversary they celebrated in the current church.

Ralph and Henrietta Aldape come down the aisle as husband and wife on their wedding day.

Ralph and Henrietta Aldape come down the aisle as husband and wife on their wedding day.

 
 
As League City grew, Main Street / FM 518 was widened and came too near the church entrance to be safe.

As League City grew, Main Street / FM 518 was widened and came too near the church entrance to be safe.

The church was lifted, moved, and set on a new foundation farther back from the street.

The church was lifted, moved, and set on a new foundation farther back from the street.

This created space for a new porch, sidewalk, and handicapped ramp.

This created space for a new porch, sidewalk, and handicapped ramp.

 
 
Walls had to be removed, linoleum removed, floors sanded, and the ceiling sandblasted to get back to the original wood.

Walls had to be removed, linoleum removed, floors sanded, and the ceiling sandblasted to get back to the original wood.

Jerry Dornak works on a scaffolding to repair ceiling and walls.

Jerry Dornak works on a scaffolding to repair ceiling and walls.

View of restoration work done near entry.

View of restoration work done near entry.

 
 
Replacing the roof was no easy job.

Replacing the roof was no easy job.

Nick Delesandri and Jerry Dornak prepare the original church bell to be lifted.

Nick Delesandri and Jerry Dornak prepare the original church bell to be lifted.

Church being liftedbell to be lifted into position and reinstalled into the belfry.

Church being liftedbell to be lifted into position and reinstalled into the belfry.