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On May 5, 1954, the first Redemptorist Fathers came to Corpus Christi to establish OLPH Parish. Father H. Porten was appointed administrator and Father J. Vaughn as assistant. Fourteen acres of maize and cotton covered the Parish property. |
| Mass was said for the first time the following day in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Benys which served as rectory until January 1955. Sunday Masses were held in the gymnasium of the nearby Sundeen High School. Negotiations were immediately begun to secure War Surplus buildings from Ward Island. |
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In June, 1954, Father Albert A. Fuytinck of San Antonio was appointed first Pastor and Rector. Hopes were that a school might be started in September, but acquisition of the buildings only came on August 27th. By September 6th the first buildings came rolling in. Immediately Sunday Masses were held in the partially renovated buildings. Construction continued rapidly with the help of the men of the parish. |
| At four o'clock on the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day, Most Rev. Bishop Garriga, blessed and dedicated our modest church to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Over 200 people attended the ceremonies including many of the diocesan dignitaries, priests and Sisters. To the right is the OLPH church alter as it looked in 1954. |
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