​St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

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Marker Text: ​Many Czech and German immigrants settled in this area in the mid-1800s. After years without the services of a Czech-speaking priest. The Czech community sent Konstantin Chovanec and John Vychopen to ask Galveston Bishop Claude-Marie Dubuis for help. Encouraged by Dubuis, the Czech community organized St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and erected a sanctuary in Fayetteville in 1870.
         The Rev. Joseph Chromcik arrived on Christmas Day in 1872 to minister at St. John Baptist Church and became the first Czech-speaking priest in Texas. The church prospered and in 1875 the Chromcik School was opened. A mission church was established in nearby Warrenton in 1886 Chromcik extended his Missionary work throughout the region and remained in Fayetteville until his death in 1910. A new sanctuary was erected in 1911 and a new 2-story school built in 1915 during the pastorate of the Rev. John Vanicek. A convent for the sisters of Divine Providence was built in 1964. A new sanctuary was erected in 1969, and a parish hall, educational center, and other facilities were added over the years. 
     St. John the Baptist Church is representative of the area's Czech heritage and continues a tradition of leadership in the region's Catholic community. (1995)

Marker No: 4448

Aluminum 27 x 42 Subject Marker

Geographic: 29.906946,-96.676926

Location: Corner of Church & Bell Street, Fayetteville