Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Four OMI priests from Canada arrived in Brownsville in 1849. Their initially lived in an old barn and celebrated mass in an unused store before building a small chapel in June 1850. By 1856, the chapel had become too small for the congregation and as a result, plans were made to build the current church. As noted above, Father Pierre Y. Keralum, who was a native of France, designed it. Born in 1817, Keralum became an architect and cabinetmaker as a young man. He joined the seminary when he was 28 and ordained into the OMI in 1852. He was sent to Texas shortly thereafter. He designed a number of churches in the region in the Gothic style, and was apparently well liked, earning the nickname "Padre Pedrito." Tragically, in 1872 he died of exposure near the city of Mercedes after becoming lost. No one knew what happened to him until 1882 when his remains were found.

Immaculate Conception was completed on June 12, 1859. Whenever there was turmoil in Mexico, Mexican priests often sought refuge in the church. Another notable fact about the church is that the rectory, which was built in 1861, became the first Oblate seminary in the country (specifically, it was located on the second floor of the building). For a brief time in 1874, the church was designated as a cathedral when a bishop lived at the church for eight months. It wasn't until 1956 that the church became a cathedral once again.

"Father Pierre Yves Keralum." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed September 28, 2020. https://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/40971462/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_TX/80004085.pdf.

Gribble, James. "Immaculate Conception Church." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. March 26, 1980. https://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/40971462/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_TX/80004085.pdf.

"Parish History." Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Accessed September 29, 2020. https://immaculateconceptioncathedral.org/74.