A Brief History – 22 Years in the Mission of Christ for Lufkin, Texas
1998 – 2020​

In late 1997, some 46 families met to consider the need for a new parish to serve the growing Catholic community in the southwest area of Lufkin, Texas. Under the direction of Bishop Edmond Carmody and Monsignor James Young, the community purchased a 12-acre plot of ground that contained a former pre-school facility of 5,600 square feet, just off Loop 287 on Feagin Drive. The parishioners elected to name the new parish for Saint Andrew the Apostle.
 
Many hours of volunteer work remodeled the former pre-school facility into a building to temporarily serve as a church, and an inaugural Mass was celebrated on October 18, 1998, the congregation seated on folding chairs. The building served as a meeting room and temporary church, served by priests from the Southeast Deanery of the Diocese of Tyler, under the supervision of Msgr. Young. Volunteers coordinated the various ministries.

St. Andrew’s first pastor, Father James Farfaglia, arrived in May 1999 to lead a growing parish, already numbering some 98 families. Bishop Carmody helped to break ground for a new church building on September 26, 1999. Work also began on a rectory on site. The new temporary church, a steel building of 7,500 square feet, intended to serve until a permanent structure could be undertaken, required furniture and fittings. Several parishioners traveled to Houston to transport donated pews from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church; others crafted altar furnishings; and two volunteers drove to Sacred Heart Church in Bedford, Massachusetts. That church, destined for closure due to consolidation, yielded a crucifix, Stations of the Cross (in French), a baptismal font, furniture, vestments, altar linens, and other artifacts. Much hard work was needed to renovate and install the fittings in time for the first Mass, celebrated on April 9, 2000, with a packed congregation that included the Mayor of Lufkin. The rectory was completed in mid-August. That fall, three youth groups were started for Grades 1-12. By early spring 2001, parish membership had increased to 163 families. The former pre-school building was adapted and renamed the Education Building for use as a meeting and instruction facility.

Under the subsequent leadership of several pastors, including Fr. Jose Kannampuzha, who led the parish in all the building and major renovations for the past 12 years, and its current pastor, Fr. Hank Lanik, the ensuing decade has seen further substantial growth in the St. Andrew parish community. From its modest beginnings, the parish has grown to a 2018 membership of over 950 families and 3,400 members, with a full and active program. Apart from weekday lunchtime Masses, there are currently four scheduled weekend Masses: Saturday 5:00 pm Vigil; Sunday 8:30 am (Spanish); 11:00 am; and 12:30 pm (Spanish). For the youth, Children's Faith Formation Classes are held in the Education Building each Wednesday evening for children in grades 1-10, and the Christ the King Youth Group offers Bible study, discussion, and fellowship for grades 6-12. Sacramental Preparation Classes for children begin in September of each year, held on 1st Tuesday evenings. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), beginning each September, is offered as an opportunity to bring into the Catholic Church Catechumens, Candidates for Full Communion, and adult Catholics who have never been confirmed. In 2017-2018, the church welcomed 50 child and 12 adult Confirmands, with 47 baptisms.

The parish family serves, and is supported by, St. Andrew Charity, several Bible studies, two Rosary Groups, a Ladies Guild, Knights of Columbus, Respect Life Ministry and many opportunities for fellowship. The St. Andrew parish looks forward to increasing opportunities to serve and testify:  a fellowship of disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and a spiritual family.

BLESSED be your Name, O Lord God, for it has pleased you to have your habitation among the sons of men, and to dwell in the midst of the assembly of the saints upon the earth; Grant, we beseech you, that this place now set apart for your service, your holy Name may be worshiped in truth and purity through all generations; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

20 Year Celebration Mass
October 18, 2018

Some of the original parishioners of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church:

Hugh & Linda Anderson
Peggy & Brian Buchanan
Lynn Montes
Lee & Paul Mayberry
Richard Quick
Dr. Matt Rowley
Amy Haney
Bobbi & Ronnie Robinson

Clergy:
Fr. Hank Lanik
Fr. Raymundo Garcia
​Deacon Jesus Reyes