Historical Marker Society of America

In 1716 Franciscan missionaries held the first Catholic services in this vicinity. For many years Catholics in San Augustine were without leadership until 1847 when the Diocese of Galveston recognized it as a mission and sent the Rev. L.C.M. Chambodut as pastor. In 1880 M.C. Tynan deeded the lot at this site for a church which was completed the next year. A new structure replaced that building in 1937 and was later called St. James. In 1975 the Diocese of Beaumont renamed the church St. Augustine.