St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica

---

St. Mary's Cathedral is the oldest existing church building in Galveston, Texas, and the oldest Cathedral in the entire state of Texas. The building was constructed in 1847, and a few major additions were made through the end of the 19th century. Miraculously, the building survived the Storm of 1900; of the half-dozen churches on Galveston Island, the Cathedral sustained the least damage. St. Mary's is located at 2011 Church Avenue, adjacent to 21st Street in Galveston.

The Texas Historical Commission placed a marker on the building in 1967 with the following text:

City's oldest surviving church. Built 1847 by the most Rev. John M. Odin, C. M., Early missionary, and first bishop of Texas. Gift of half a million bricks from Antwerp, Belgium, made structure possible. Gothic cathedral is preserved in original style. After disastrous flood of 1875, tower was crowned with status of Mary, Star of the Sea, which has withstood storms ever since. Fine stained glass windows and rich altars are notable features. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967.

---