Draft:St. Pius X Catholic Church, Dallas
Submission declined on 14 June 2025 by GoldRomean (talk).
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| Submission declined on 10 June 2025 by CSMention269 (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are: Declined by CSMention269 3 days ago.
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| Submission declined on 7 June 2025 by MCE89 (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are:
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Comment: Most of the sources are the Church's own website. GoldRomean (talk) 02:11, 14 June 2025 (UTC)
| St. Pius X Catholic Church | |
|---|---|
 Bell tower and modernist façade, completed in 1968 | |
| Location | 3030 Gus Thomasson Road, Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | spxdallas.org |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | February 26, 1954 |
| Dedication | Pope St. Pius X |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | John Barthel (lead), George Dahl (firm) |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Mid-century modern with mission-style influence |
| Completed | 1968 |
| Specifications | |
| Spire height | 106 ft |
| Materials | Brick, laminated wood |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Edward J. Burns |
| Pastor(s) | Msgr. Larry Pichard |
St. Pius X Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located in East Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1954, it is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas and serves the Lake Highlands and White Rock Lake communities.[1] The parish has supported local families through educational initiatives, intergenerational programs, and refugee resettlement assistance, including playing a key role in welcoming Vietnamese Catholic immigrants who later founded St. Peter Vietnamese Catholic Church nearby.[2]
History
[edit]St. Pius X Catholic Church was established on February 26, 1954, by Bishop Thomas K. Gorman of the Diocese of Dallas–Fort Worth to serve the growing Catholic population in the Casa View and Mesquite areas of northeast Dallas. The founding pastor, Rev. Msgr. Vincent Wolf, initially led the parish in temporary facilities before the construction of a permanent church and rectory.[3]
By 1961, the parish had grown to approximately 1,100 families and became the first in the Diocese of Dallas to exceed its Diocesan Educational Fund campaign goal, contributing $172,000 toward new Catholic high schools.[4] That same year, the parish built a new $58,994 classroom building to support its expanding K–8 school.[4]
On September 3, 1963, the newly constructed church and rectory at 3030 Gus Thomasson Road were formally dedicated by Bishop Gorman. Approximately 3,000 parishioners and guests attended the ceremony, which included clergy, Papal honorees, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, members of the diocesan choir, and Protestant ministers. Msgr. Wolf and former assistant pastors concelebrated the dedication Mass. The church’s design was inspired by Spanish colonial mission architecture and featured laminated wood beams and a spire rising 106 feet above the altar.[5]
During the 1966 planning phase, parishioners voted to spend $800,000 on a new church and rectory. Construction began shortly after under George Dahl’s firm with John Barthel as lead designer.[4] A series of construction-phase photos document the project’s progress in 1967–68.[6] The new sanctuary was completed and first used for Mass in 1968.[7]
In February 1979, the parish celebrated its 25th anniversary with a weekend of events involving the entire parish community. Under the direction of then-pastor Msgr. Thomas W. Weinzapfel, the parish had become one of the largest in the diocese by Sunday Mass attendance. Events included a family covered dish dinner, a parish dance, a youth disco night, religious education programs, and a catered dinner honoring past and present parishioners and religious leaders. The celebration reflected the parish’s motto: Love One Another.[3]
In April 1981, St. Pius X hosted a five-day Parish Renewal Mission led by Dominican priest Rev. Gerald D. Coverdale of St. Albert’s Priory in Irving. Titled The Joy and Challenge of Faith, the mission featured themed Masses and reflections each evening from April 26 to April 30. Coverdale, a World War II veteran and former Air Force chaplain, focused on topics such as community, spiritual purpose, and personal discipleship. The event was open to both parishioners and the wider community and included opportunities for confession.[8]
The parish marked its 50th anniversary in 2004 with a year-long series of celebrations organized by a committee under pastor Msgr. Larry Pichard. Events included a jubilee Mass on February 21, a catered dinner, a photo history exhibit, and a special Mass in August led by Bishop Charles Grahmann. Former priests of the parish returned to celebrate weekend liturgies, and the festivities concluded with a multicultural festival in September showcasing the parish’s ethnic diversity through food, music, and historical displays.[9]
Architecture
[edit]The church’s architecture blends modernist design with influence from early Spanish colonial mission churches, as noted during its 1963 dedication.[5] The interior is spanned by sweeping laminated wood beams that rise to a maximum height above the altar, creating a dramatic, mission-style vertical volume. The building’s spire and cross reach a height of 106 feet, reinforcing its prominent modernist profile within the neighborhood.
The sanctuary is noted for its angular, modernist form, a 90-foot bell tower topped with a 16-foot wooden cross, and three circular stained-glass windows symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The circular sanctuary lighting fixtures evoke themes of eternity and permanence.[7]
A marble Holy Family sculpture, designed in Pietrasanta, Italy, was installed in 1972.[10] The hand-carved cross atop the tower, crafted in Münster, Texas, became prominent after overcoming a crane mishap during installation.[11] The cornerstone, embedded with parish mementos, was laid in May 1968.[11]
Parish life and community
[edit]St. Pius X Catholic School, founded shortly after the parish’s establishment, offers a K–8 education grounded in Catholic tradition. The school has expanded over the decades. Its curriculum blends academics, faith formation, and extracurricular activities, and it participates in diocesan-wide initiatives.[12]
The church sponsors a variety of parish ministries. Its Over 55 Club honors couples for long milestone anniversaries.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Parish History". St. Pius X Catholic Church. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "Vietnamese church in East Dallas brings immigrant community together". Dallas Morning News. July 11, 2014. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ a b "St. Pius Marks 25 Years". Mesquite Daily News. February 23, 1979.
- ^ a b c "History of SPX – 1960s". St. Pius X Catholic Church. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ a b "St. Pius X Church and Rectory Dedicated". The Texas Mesquiter. September 6, 1963.
- ^ "Church Construction Pictures". St. Pius X Catholic Church. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ a b "Church Construction". St. Pius X Catholic Church. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "St. Pius X Parish Sets Renewal Dates". Mesquite Daily News. April 17, 1981.
- ^ "St. Pius X Celebrating a Half Century". The Mesquite News. February 5, 2004. p. 8.
- ^ "History of SPX – 1970s". St. Pius X Catholic Church. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ a b "Church Construction". St. Pius X Catholic Church. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "St. Pius X Catholic School". St. Pius X Catholic Church. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "St. Pius X Over 55 Club celebrates couples' milestone anniversaries". The Texas Catholic. June 7, 2022. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
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