Old St. Patrick’s

With the opening of the new Corpus Christi Cathedral in 1940, dear old St Patrick’s Church was closed to public worship, but the Blessed Sacrament was reserved and the church was left open for private visits. However as there was no one to take care of the abandoned church, it soon became necessary to remove the Blessed Sacrament and close the door, though Holy Mass was celebrated on school days at 8 o’clock for the convenience of the children of the Academy until 1950. The last Mass was said in the old Cathedral on Thursday February 8, 1951, by Monsignor Adolph Marx, Chancellor of the Diocese, who was the last priest to be ordained in this historic old Church. This Mass was said for the repose of the soul of Charles Carroll, by whom the Cathedral was built, at the request of his daughter, Mary Carroll.

During the summer of 1951, many of the descendants of the old pioneers who had contributed to the erection of St Patrick’s, were seen standing around the Church in which they had been baptized, received their First Holy Communion and Confirmation, and in many cases the Sacrament of Matrimony; and the burial of loved ones, watching with tearful eyes the work of dismantling. Do you ask why they wept? It was because of the cherished memories of the many years of peace and consolation found within its walls. These good people were indeed attached to the dear old edifice built by their ancestors.

The sanctuary and the main part off the nave were preserved and moved to North Beach to serve the newly created parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea. The side walls containing the stained glass windows given by devoted pioneers in loving memory of their dear dead, were used in the rebuilding of the little Church.

On December 10, 1946, a carillon of thirty-two bells, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. James Dougherty of Beeville, in memory of their son, Lieutenant James R. Dougherty, who gave his life in the service of his Country in World War II, was installed in the large tower of the Cathedral. The tower clock and the new pipe organ are the gifts of Mrs. Sarita Kenedy East in memory of her deceased husband, Arthur Lee. The ceremony of installation coincided with the celebration of the Episcopal Silver Jubilee of Bishop Ledvina, which had been deferred from June to combine the two ceremonies.

Worn out by his labors, and in failing health after having served twenty-eight years as head of the diocese, Bishop Ledvina resigned as Bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, on March 15, 1949, and was appointed by the Holy See the Titular Bishop of Pitanae. Having lived in retirement for about three years, he died at Spohn Hospital, December 15, 1952. The Cathedral was draped in mourning as the body of His Excellency lay in state from Tuesday afternoon until after the Pontifical Requiem Mass on Friday. Rosary was recited continuously during those days and nights; the Knights of Columbus in full regalia, formed an honor guard throughout the night. The office of the Dead was chanted by the clergy on Friday morning before the funeral Mass.

A Pontifical Requiem Mass was offered for the repose of the soul of the Bishop on Wednesday morning by Bishop Garriga, on Thursday morning by The Most Rev S. M. Metzger; and on Friday morning by The Most Rev. Robert E. Lucey. The Most Rev. William D. O’Brien preached the funeral sermon. After the Mass the absolutions were pronounced by their Excellencies: Most Rev. M. S. Garriga, Most Rev Eugene McGuinnes, Most Rev. W. J. Nold, and Most Rev L. J. Reichet. Burial followed, and Bishop Ledvina was laid to rest in the crypt under the main altar in the Cathedral.

Following the resignation of Most Rev E. B. Ledvina as Bishop of the Corpus Christi diocese in 1949, Bishop M. S. Garriga was formally installed in elaborate ceremonies in Corpus Christi Cathedral, on Tuesday morning, March 15, 1949. His Excellencey’s installation was one of the most colorful ceremonies that the new Cathedral had witnessed The body of the Church was completely filled with members of many religious orders of men and women, secular and religious clergy from far and new; and many of his Excellency’s friends, among whom were nine Bishops, twenty-eight monsignor, and two hundred priests.

His Excellency; Most Reverend Robert E. Lucey, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, officiated in the installation and enthronement of Bishop Garriga. The enthronement was followed by a Solemn Pontifical Mass offered by Bishop Garriga.