Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the South Texas coast in late August of 2017. However, the effects of the Category 4 storm were still felt long after the winds and rain subsided. South Texas coastal towns like Rockport, Fulton, Port Aransas, and Aransas Pass withstood the worst of the storm’s impact, but severe weather dramatically swept through the inland regions as well.
Five years after Hurricane Harvey ravaged the area, the rebuilding continues. Homes, businesses, and approximately three hundred properties associated with the Diocese of Corpus Christi, including churches and various parish buildings, were significantly damaged. The recovery has been slow but steady. Many structures continue to undergo improvements, renovations and upgrades that will bring back a much-needed sense of normalcy.
As this story went to press, Bishop Michael Mulvey approved for general contractors to begin work in more parishes significantly damaged by the storm.
Additionally, many Hurricane Harvey repair/replacement projects are either underway or are still set to begin. These include St. James Church and Religious Education Building in Refugio, which will soon have the bell tower, the choir balcony, and windows casements repaired. In the CCD building, crews are repairing ceiling cracks and installing new ceiling tiles.
“The people of the parish and I are deeply thankful for all the repairs taking place and for all the hard work that so many people have done to get to this point, says Father Bill Marquis, Pastor of St. James the Apostle Parish. “We are glad things are moving forward.”
St. Joseph Parish Hall in Port Aransas will have extensive work done on its roof and replace the fencing surrounding the parish hall. Work to be done inside the parish hall includes repairs to the kitchen, the main hall area, and meeting rooms.
Father George Vallamattam, who has been pastor at the parish for three years, faced the challenge of repairing the church. Repairs were completed in October of 2019, followed by the construction of a new rectory and parish office, with the parish hall still needing a significant amount of work.
“The parish hall roof, walls, and electrical system will need to be updated to code,” says Father Vallamattam. “I am hopeful for the success of the project so we can have more parish activities.”
St. Therese of the Little Flower Church in Woodsboro will have work done on its entryway, balcony, and confessional. Additionally, the cry room, ceiling and sacristy will be repainted, and the window panels will be removed and reset. Also, the damaged pews in the church will be replaced.
Sacred Heart Church and School in Rockport is undergoing major changes as well. The school, parish hall and old convent are being rebuilt while repairs are set for the Activities Center, with a facelift of the exterior of Gregory Hall.
At Sacred Heart Church in Corpus Christi, the walls of the sanctuary were water damaged, necessitating the repair of several cupola windows as well as copper and roof tile repairs for the church roof. The beautiful frescos created by Antonio E. Garcia that adorn the inside walls of the church are being cleaned and restored by Nicola Vigini, a San Antonio artist who was educated in Italy and did several projects in Europe.
Work is moving ahead at Sacred Heart Religious Education Center in Odem. The roof has been replaced, acoustic ceilings are being touched up, the walls have been repainted, and damaged smoke detectors replaced.
According to construction personnel, St. Peter Parish in Rockport was one of the most extensively damaged properties. The storm destroyed the church, the parish hall, and the surrounding fencing. The congregation was displaced, and Masses are temporarily being held in a nearby building.
Amid structural assessments and planning, more construction projects are either set to begin or will continue in various parishes. Despite the obstacles, God’s spirit of rebuilding and renewal guides the work that will soon lead to the restoration of these once storm-battered but still vibrant parish communities.