St. Mary Magdalene Church in Humble celebrates 100 years with Mass

February 28, 2012

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo was the main celebrant of a Mass honoring the 100th anniversary of St. Mary Magdalene Church, Feb. 11.
Father Michael Carmody, St. Mary Magdalene pastor, concelebrated the Mass. Former pastors, including retired Msgr. Paul Procella and Msgr. Adam McClosky (pastor of All Saints Church in Houston), were among the other concelebrants.

In 1911, St. Mary Magdalene parish was as a mission of Immaculate Conception Church in Harrisburg. The original white wood frame church was built in 1915 on the corner of Avenue F and Higgins Street in Humble. The church was later moved to the present location on South Houston Avenue. From 1911 until 1965, St. Mary mission was staffed by priests of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, headquartered in San Antonio.

During the Feb. 11 day of celebration, Cardinal DiNardo blessed a memorial plaque donated by the Jess Fields Family. Inscribed on the granite monument: “On this day we celebrate the centennial of the founding of St. Mary Catholic Community, then a mission operated by the Oblate Fathers from Immaculate Conception parish, Harrisburg, Texas. May God bless all of us who reap the blessings from the efforts of those who have blazed the trail we walk, as well as those who will continue the pilgrim journey after us.” †