New Beginnings
A history of the First Two Years of Santa Clara
Before creating Santa Clara 1993, Bishop Charles V. Grahmann D.D. wanted to do something to improve the quality of life for Hispanics in greater Dallas. He studied the entire area and found Oak Cliff to be the area of greatest need. Many of St. Cecilia’s parishioners participated in a door-to-door survey of needs, which pointed towards education and recreation for children. A health— needs survey pointed towards pre- and post-natal care for mothers. A further study pointed towards the lack of communication between parents and children. Catholic Charities began to prepare for a social services center that would provide family counseling, nutrition education, job training, immigration assistance, health and dental clinics, as well as emergency assistance. At the same time, St. Cecilia was divided and the new community began meeting at Mt. St. Michael under the leadership of Deacon Robert Sanchez. Bishop Grahmann wanted to listen more to the parishioners and purposely did not assign a pastor for the first year.
The parish building committee chose an architect and Robert Sanchez, Frank Romero and Fr Michael Mooney began the design of the first phase, including worship space, classroom space, office space, plaza and rectory. They wanted a church to seat 1,000 people and eight classrooms to start the school. The rectory would provide for two priests and a visitor. The church office space would be adjacent to the school administration area, and both would be very spartan. They asked for Mexican-style buildings to make it welcoming to the parishioners and a reminder of the churches they remember in Mexico. Inside, the Church was to be convertible from 250 to 1,000 seating space. |
