Our story

St. Barbara Catholic Church in Hornsby Bend, Travis County, Texas, was built to meet the spiritual needs of a predominantly Hispanic and Mexican-American farming and ranching community, first evangelized by missionaries from Galveston in the 1940s. The inspiration to build the church came from a dream Guadalupe (Lupe) Martinez had in 1982, in which her late father, Simon Gonzales, urged her to establish a house of worship. This dream led to the formation of the Hornsby Bend Catholic Community (HBCC) in the late 1980s. Families began meeting to pray and celebrate the sacraments in the homes of Candelaria Gonzales and Joe and Dora Arellano, enduring unheated and unair-conditioned garages for over 13 years. In 1988, the first community meeting was held, solidifying their efforts to grow as a faith community. Recognizing the community's dedication, Bishop John McCarthy encouraged Neil and Barbara Hanson, who had attended one of these garage masses, to support the congregation. In a generous act, the Hansons donated 20 acres of land, and in gratitude, the church was named St. Barbara in honor of their contributions, especially Mrs. Hanson's. In 1996, the community held its first mass in what would later be known as the "Old Temple." As the congregation grew, construction began in 2021 on a larger church to accommodate the increasing number of parishioners.

Throughout its history, the Catholic Church of Santa Barbara has reflected the resilience and unity of its members, driven by a shared vision of creating a space dedicated to worship. Guided by love and a deep desire to nurture faith, the community has built a legacy of devotion and perseverance.