History of Our Parish

History of
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
9500 Neenah Avenue
Austin, Texas 78717
Diocese of Austin
First Mass:  August 13, 1995
 

 
In the spring of 1995, Bishop John McCarthy asked Rev. Daniel E Garcia to begin the process of building a new Catholic parish in Northwest Austin. Fr Danny spoke at some of the neighboring parishes from which this new parish would draw parishioners, inviting those who lived within these new boundaries to join him in creating a new faith community. On August 13, 1995, at Deerpark Middle School, the parish of St. Vincent de Paul was born. Two Masses were held every Sunday in the cafeteria; and Daily Mass, Religious Education, Bible Study and the other elements of a new parish began in parishioner homes. Volunteers came forward to do everything from setting up the worship space each Sunday to teaching RE ~ and everything in between. And along the way, a strong parish family grew as the number of parishioners increased. 235 families came together that first year, being recognized by Bishop McCarthy as Charter Families.  The parish office and Chapel, housed at the rectory for three years, moved to an office space on Roxie Drive in early 1999.
 
Holy Thursday, 2001 was the first celebration of Eucharist in the newly built Parish Activity Center on Neenah Avenue. At that time the parish was nearly 500 families strong — and growing. Many worked and prayed for that great day ~ and rejoiced even more a month later as Bishop Gregory Aymond dedicated the new parish facilities on April 21, 2001. In August of 2005 our entire parish community came together to celebrate our 10 year anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated by Bishop Aymond, and followed with a reception/dinner for all.
 
The next major milestone was the completion of the current worship space, dedicated by Bishop Joe Vasquez on December 29, 2012.  At last, the parish has a permanent building for worship, one that includes a Sanctuary that seats 1,400 people and a Day Chapel for 180 people.