St. John Nepomucene gets historical marker

Father Gerald Sheehan, SOLT blesses historical marker in front of St. John Nepomucene in Robstown as County Judge Loyd Neal (at left) looks on.

Alfredo E. Cardenas,  South Texas Catholic

The Nueces County Historical Commission unveiled a Texas historical marker at St. John Nepomucene in Robstown on Sunday, Oct. 16, marking its 92-years of service to the area. The marker recalls the beginnings of St. John's as a parish community in the Diocese of Corpus Christi serving the Czech-speaking residents of the area around Robstown.

Nueces County Historical Commission chairwoman Anita Eisenhauer served as master of ceremonies for the event that took place after the 11 a.m. Mass. Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal and John Lloyd Bluntzer unveiled the marker as Father Gerald Sheehan blessed it.

Bluntzer presented a history of the parish, which got its start in an abandoned Methodist church in 1924, as a mission of St. Boniface in Corpus Christi. It became a parish with a resident pastor 10 years later when newly ordained priest Father George Secina accepted an appointment from Bishop Emmanuel Ledvina. Father Secina, who later became a monsignor, served as pastor for nearly 50 years.

The current church was built in 1937, with a rectory going up the following year. A school and convent were added in 1945. The Sisters of Providence from Indiana taught at the school, which included a high school. The high school closed in 1970 after graduating 320 students. The elementary and junior high school also closed in 1986.

St. John's Parish continues to serve the Robstown community.