Old St. Anthony

Historic Church

2024 Violet Historical Society

Posted 3/19/2024

Link to Printable Notice

 

Museum Artifacts Return

 

The original St. Anthony's Church structure is currently undergoing renovation to once again serve as a place of worship. Previously, the museum housed artifacts that were either loaned or donated by individuals or families for exhibition. These artifacts have been relocated and stored to facilitate the church's renovation.

 

The Violet Historical Society aims to reunite these artifacts with their original donors or their descendants. Parishioners are encouraged to reach out to their local and non-resident family members and friends to identify any artifacts that they may wish to reclaim.

 

In the upcoming weeks, the Violet Historical Society will outline the process and schedule for returning the artifacts to their rightful owners. To claim artifacts, individuals can submit inquiries through the St. Anthony Parish website (stanthonyviolet.org) by clicking on the Contact button or by contacting Sam Morris at (361) 215-9163. If there is no answer, please leave a voicemail.

Coming soon as a venue for your special occasions!

 

Founded in 1908, Violet was one of several communities in the coastal zone settled by Catholic farmers of German descent. A much-revered vestige of this settlement, St. Anthony's has experienced several relocations and rehabilitations since its original construction. First built in 1910 as a front-gabled, towerless church with board-and-batten siding, the building underwent a complete metamorphosis in 1919, reflecting the success and growth of the community. Enlarged to its back and to its front, with towers added to each side, the new nave was sheathed in horizontal cypress siding and dressed in the Romanesque style by local farm workers, with the participation of one professional carpenter.

 

When a new church was built in 1952, Old St. Anthony's was moved to nearby Clarkwood to serve as its parish church. By 1975, when the historic building was outgrown yet again, St. Anthony's moved back to a site a mere two hundred feet from its first location. Third-generation descendants of the church's original builders rehabilitated it to its 1919 appearance and colors. Today, the church, with its historic statuary and furnishings, serves as a local history museum managed by the Violet Historical Society.

 

WRITING CREDITS

Gerald Moorhead et al.