Since its founding in May 29, 1982, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria in south Texas has become a vital religious presence in our region. The Chancery is the administrative seat of diocesan services for the ten-county area that comprise the Diocese of Victoria. The architecture is meant to speak to us about our roots. Since this area is known as the Cradle of Texas Immigration, the Chancery building and grounds are designed to illustrate this fact. The pond in front represents the Gulf of Mexico and Pass Cavallo through which, the ships passed to shore. A short distance farther is a lighthouse symbolizing the lighthouse that was built in 1852 which stands on Matagorda Island. It alerted the ships of the correct passage to the harbor. The building itself is designed in an architectural style known as Texana, embracing something of every ethnic group.

The principal value, which the immigrants brought with them, was their faith. The circular chapel behind the building and rising above with its domed, copper roof represents this. Inside the chapel are seven stained glass windows on which are depicted the stories of this area of Texas, beginning with the presence of the Native Americans, the coming of the Missionaries, the wave of European immigration, and the life of the Church throughout, to the present moment of people on their journey to the Kingdom.

The Diocese is approximately 9,609 square miles in area (see our reference map) and comprises the counties of Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Goliad, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Victoria, Wharton and Fayette County west of the Colorado River. The total population of this area is 255,276 and the total Catholic population is 108,562. Before 1982, the Archdiocese of San Antonio, and the Dioceses of Austin, Corpus Christi and Galveston-Houston served the Catholic population of the area.

A view of the foyer inside the front door of the Chancery.

Diocese Staff

Map of the Diocese  (Parishes & Schools)

Diocesan Services Appeal

Diocese Endowment Fund