• Welcome to Saint Ferdinand Catholic Church!

  The first Catholic Families moved to Blanco from New Braunfels in the early 1850’s. Until 1899, services were held in homes and community centers. In 1898, Fr. Virgilius Draessel was assigned to Honey Creek and was also responsible for the needs of Catholic families in the Twin Sisters area near Blanco. A parcel of land was purchased in 1887 and on June 25, 1899 St. Mary’s Help of Christians was dedicated and became the first Catholic Church in Blanco County.

  

  
  The Catholic community worshiped at St. Mary’s until 1940, when the new church, St. Ferdinand was built in Blanco under the auspices of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. St. Mary’s is now the cemetery for the Catholics of the area and the tiny church is used to celebrate the feast of All Souls Day every November, for funerals and for other special liturgical occasions.

  
  St. Ferdinand in Blanco was dedicated in March 1940 and the church bell from St. Mary’s was hung in the new bell tower. Over the years, pastors and parishioners have built a vibrant church community and improved the site with a Rectory, and two Parish Halls, the older which  is now the Religious Education building.
  
  Several large parishes in the area have been founded from St. Ferdinand as mission churches,  including St. Mary’s in Wimberley, St. Martin de Porres in Dripping Springs and Good Shepherd in Johnson City, which is a mission of St. Ferdinand today. In 1947, the Diocese of Austin was established and Blanco County along with St. Ferdinand Church became part of the new Diocese.

   

  St. Ferdinand’s community has continued to grow in the last ten years with many new parishioners and families moving into the Blanco area.  In January 2013 Father Justin Udomah and parishioners announced St. Ferdinand’s capital campaign “Building for Our Future”. On May 2, 2013, Bishop Joe Vasquez presided over the Blessing Rite and Groundbreaking for the new Church.  Construction began soon after and the new St. Ferdinand Church was dedicated on December 20, 2013 in time for midnight Mass to be celebrated in the Sanctuary. The original St. Ferdinand Church continues as St. Ferdinand Chapel and is used for daily Mass and special services.  Today, St. Ferdinand has a membership of approximately 245 families and is a vital part of the growing Blanco community.  We strive to be a welcoming Christian community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all.