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In 1917, a small group of Polish and Latin American families united their efforts to construct a small wood-frame church on a 2 acre plot on the bank of the Cibolo Creek (now River Street) in La Vernia, Texas. This tiny congregation became a mission church of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in St. Hedwig, TX, seven miles away. Priests came only occasionally from surrounding areas to celebrate Mass and perform baptisms at irregular intervals.
In 1921, priests from the Order of Redemptorist Fathers from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in San Antonio, were placed in charge of the tiny church. Sunday Mas was held once a month.
From 1933 - 1939, St. Ann was under the care of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Nixon, Texas.
In December 1950, the spiritual administration of St. Ann was once again reverted to Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in St. Hedwig.
In November, 1963, this small wood-frame church gave way to a new 280 seat capacity brick-type church on a new 4 acre site located on the western outskirts of La Vernia on Highway 87, at a total contract and furnishing cost of over $35,000. Father Benedict Pruski, Pastor of Annunciation Church in St. Hedwig, supervised the new construction with Orlando Volpe as the architect and Daniel Jackson as the general contractor. The Catholic Church Extension Society partly funded the project with a $10,000 grant. The old church on River Street was razed and the property sold.
On November 30, 1965, St. Ann Church was erected as an independent parish with its first resident pastor, Fr. Benjamin Bonazza. There was no parish rectory so Fr. Bonazza lived in a rented home in downtown La Vernia. As a new parish, St. Ann became responsible for the new St. Mary's mission church in Stockdale, Texas. This mission church encompassed the small community of Sutherland Springs, Texas and portions of the parishes of Seguin, Nixon, and Floresville.
During Father Bonazza's tenure, a 36 X 60 hollow time combination catechetical center-parish hall was completed in September, 1967, at a cost of $21,000, with Emmit Tuggle, architect, and W.O. Fey, general contractor. In June, 1968, Fr. Benjamin Bonzazza was replaced by Fr. Patrick Flanagan. He arrived in time to oversee the purchase of a mobile home, located on the church site, to be used as priest quarters, The installation of air conditioning in the church was finally accomplished. In 1970, Fr. Joseph R. Till arrived to administer to a congregation of over 150 families, a great number were engaged in farming and ranching and a substantial number commuting daily to jobs in San Antonio.
On March 5, 2000, a new sanctuary for St. Ann Catholic Church with a seating capacity of 650 was dedicated.
Since then we have continued to worship in the beautiful sanctuary that we celebrate in today. We have had many wonderful priest to shepherd us over the years and help us become faithful families of Christ!