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Father Henry Gerlach, a pastor from Boerne, in September 1891 came
to the Kerrville mission. He celebrated mass on September 6,
1891, in Parson's Hall, a hall owned by Kerrville's mayor, Dr.
George R. Parsons. Thirteen days later, on September 19th,
Father Gerlach erected a small, 24 by 48 foot frame church at 923
Jefferson Street. He named the church St. Mary's, the first
permanent Catholic Church in Kerrville.
Thirteen priests ministered to the people
of Kerrville between 1892 and 1911, however, Father Kemper served
the church in Kerrville longer than anyone. On the eve of Ash
Wednesday in 1911, Father Henry Kemper arrived in Kerrville.
In 1912 Father Kemper purchased property on Main Street, moved the
church to the new site, opened a school, and built a convent and
rectory. For nearly half a century, until his death on October
9, 1958, his name has been closely identified with the parish and
his adopted home of Kerrville. Dedication of Notre Dame
Catholic Church (now Kemper Hall) occurred on December 8, 1935. It
served the Catholic community for 55 years. Dedication of the new
Notre Dame Church on Water Street took place on January 14, 1990.
Under the leadership of Father Michael Peinemann, Notre Dame
continues to serve the people of Kerrville by proclaiming the Good
News.
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