San Antonio and Texas Católico: Westside Parish Project • “The Barrio Church: Researching and Writing Latino Parish Histories” • October 4, 2024

This symposium addresses ways of identifying, preserving, researching, and disseminating the historical legacy of San Antonio’s Westside Catholic parishes. This initial meeting reflects on the documents and history that have been gathered on parishes in the westside of San Antonio. Critical in shaping Mexican American lives and communities, this history began in the 1730s with San Fernando parish. In the twentieth century, many parishes appeared on San Antonio’s Westside to provide places of worship, community engagement, and educational opportunities for a rapidly growing population of Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants settling in San Antonio. Below is a list of speakers and topics.  

The Mission of the San Antonio and Texas is to further the study of the history of Catholic Church in San Antonio and Texas, with a focus on the Latino experience and a special, though not exclusive, interest in parish history, life and culture. It fosters faculty and student reach projects, promotes the collection and digitizing of parish histories and sponsors seminars.  These endeavors seek a deeper appreciation of the work of Church leaders and the faithful in preserving and enhancing the Catholic faith tradition in the city and region.