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Our Lady of Consolation, Vattmann, Texas |
In 1907, Theodore Koch, a land developer, purchased 20,000 acres of land from the King Ranch. He proposed
to develop this land into three areas: Riviera, Riviera Beach and Vattmannville (later shortened to Vattmann). Mr. Koch sought
the help of Father Edward J. Vattmann, the then secretary of the Catholic Colonization Society of America, to help him populate
the area that came to be known as Vattmannville, later shortened to Vattmann. Soon a Church was built and dedicated as Our
Lady of Consolation
The original Our Lady of Consolation Church was destroyed in the Hurricane of 1916, except for its bell. This
bell is now located in the present Church. The existing Church was built in 1919 and dedicated in 1920. The inside
bricks of the Church were made by its parishioners, using sand, mud and clay from the Baffin Bay area. The outside bricks
were brought in from a brick factory in D’Hannis, Texas. The beautiful Crucifixion on the High Altar was imported from
Germany. The stained glass windows in the upper balcony and front of the Church were originally located on either side of
the Main Altar. The stained glass windows on each wall of the Church, also from Germany, were added in the 1930’s.
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Austrian Painting |
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Grotto of Our Lady of Fatima |
In 1927, an Austrian painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was located in the niche by the Church vestibule.
The statue of St. Anthony is located in the niche in the front of the Church, just beneath the bell tower. A Grotto of Our
Lady of Fatima is situated on the Church grounds, facing State Farm Road 628.
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Community Hall and Arts/Crafts Bldg. |
A school, a convent and community hall, as well as a rectory were later added to the Church. The school
and convent are no longer open, but the community hall and convent building are used by our parishioners for various activities
and events.
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Cemetery |
Our Lady of Consolation Cemetery
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Our Lady of Consolation Cemetery with Church in Background |
Our Lady of Consolation Cemetery is located just north of the Church and is maintained by Our Lady of
Consolation Cemetery Association. Three of the Church’s former priests are buried in this cemetery as well as a 1898
Spanish-American War veteran, Colonel James Langley. An altar and a crucifixion scene was donated to the cemetery by the C.
C. May family and Neal Yaklin family. Donations from our parishioners and other families support the maintenance of the cemetery.
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With each challenge we have encountered, we became stronger in our faith. We invite you to become a
part of our church today and add to its history of tomorrow.
Our Lady of Consolation Parish
204 Palm Avenue, Riviera, TX 78379
Office: 361-297-5255
Email: ourlady@rivnet.com
Website Manager: Barbara Grayson
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