In the summer of 1997, Bishop Joseph Fiorenza announced the establishment of a new parish in response to the needs of the growing community of the faithful in The Woodlands, Texas. Additionally, a mandate was given to establish the first Catholic elementary school in this rapidly growing South Montgomery County community.
Fr. John-Vincent Rouse accepted the founding pastor role and set up the framework for the new parish. Original registrants for the parish totaled approximately 300 families in July 1997. Weekend Masses were celebrated in the cafeteria of Oak Ridge High and Wednesday evening Masses were celebrated in parishioner's homes. Most parish organization meetings were held at Montgomery College on Rt. 242, in parishioner's homes or at the rectory.
Msgr. Geoge A. Sheltz became the second Pastor in September 1999. He led the community through its initial building phase with the completion of the first 4 buildings on our campus; the Parish Life Building, Fellowship Hall, Rectory and the beautiful new Church. By December 2000, when we celebrated the first Mass in our new church, there were 1400 families registered in the parish.
In July 2007, Father Thomas Rafferty became the Pastor of St. Anthony's. Today, we are a growing, vibrant Catholic community of almost 4,000 families. Stressing Stewardship as a way of life, our parish has over 50 active ministries with hundreds of parishioners active in parish, local community and diocesan wide outreach.
History of St. Anthony