Saint William Catholic Church — Attraction in Round Rock

What a beautiful church! So glad we stopped and took a brief walking tour. The campus is beautiful and this church has been built by love and the Spirit of Christ. All you holy men and women pray for us. No surprise they have Perpetual Adoration- Dr William is a testimony to trust, faith, hope and charity.

Saint William Catholic Church is located in Round Rock, Texas, near the Brushy Creek that was part of the Chisholm Trail. To protect pioneers from Indian raids, some forts were established along Brushy Creek as early as 1635. The first community to be established in the area soon became known as Brushy. When the area requested a post office, the US Postmaster General did not approve the name because it had already been assigned to another village in East Texas. In 1854, the local postmaster selected the name of Round Rock because of the well-known stone which marked a safe crossing over Brushy Creek.

The true beginning of Catholic life in Round Rock has its roots in the Hispanic emigration. Hispanics came to Round Rock and McNeil in the beginning of the 20th century to work principally in the limestone quarries. David L. Carlin, who researched the early community, wrote, "The lime plant in Round Rock has aided the settlement of the Mexican-Americans in Round Rock, more than any other factor."

Francisco Carlin came to Round Rock in 1900 from San Diego de Alejandria in the State of Jalisco. To protect the Faith against religious sects who conducted their services under the trees of the limestone kiln, Mr. Carlin went to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Austin and requested that a priest be sent to Round Rock once a month to say Mass. He promised protection and his home as a meeting place, where the priest could spend the night and celebrate Mass. The first Mass there was celebrated in 1916 by Father Walter O'Donnell, a Holy Cross priest. The liturgy was celebrated at the Carlin home until 1939.

In that year, the purchase of 18 acres of land was approved by Bishop C.E. Byrne, Bishop of Galveston. Five acres were kept for a church site and 13 acres were sold and divided into lots. The Catholic Church Extension Society offered $1,500 to help build a church if it were agreed to name it Saint William Catholic Church, in honor of Archbishop William O'Brien, head of the Society. The Hispanic community did not particularly like the name, since they had promised years ago that if a church were ever built, it would be named Sacred Heart. They agreed to the Saint William naming, however, when they learned that their church would actually be built. The church was dedicated in...

I decided to attend Ash Wednesday Services at St Williams Catholic Church in Round Rock, Tx. I currently don't belong to a specific parish as I am searching for the right one for me. The church looked quite large from the outside and when I walked up to the side entrance, there was a sign as to how many people could be in the church at one time and it was around 1700. I was absolutely amazed when I entered the church. It was beautiful And huge.! I attended a midday liturgy of the word service along with the distribution of ashes as it worked out best time wise for me being at 3 PM. As it was, I still ended up in some rush-hour traffic on the way back to Leander, which was frustrating. The music, the soloist , the organist, the priest and his assistants were all easily heard. The acoustics must be very good.. I don't think I've ever seen such a beautifully painted background behind the altar. I'm placing a picture below. I really liked everything about this church except that it's a fair distance from my house and as I get older, I'm not sure I would be able to continue to travel on Sundays and Holy days . One last thing to mention is for lent. They are having fish fries every Friday from 5 to 7 PM. I believe so you don't have to be a member of the congregation to attend those fish fries and it really helps the parish with funding for...

I participated in the Holy sacrifice of the Mass at Saint William's parish.

I do not live in the city of Round Rock nor do I live anywhere within Williamson County ... [ I reside more than an hour away, was in Round Rock for an interview, brought my supplications to Christ Jesus ... didn't get the job ... He probably thought it was not for me ]

This Catholic Church, Saint William, was absolutely lovely -- even as I drove onto the grounds and parked in the lot -- I felt an extreme sense of peace and awe. Entering through the front door, I could feel a sense of comfort, my heart seeming to pulse with exhilaration, knowing I would be in His presence at any moment, yet like a little child hesitating for a moment, still knowing sanctuary was a few feet away. Such beauty, to be in a pew, adoring His Presence, taking in the magnificence of the environment, it brought tears to my eyes to be in such a beautiful church. I thoroughly enjoyed the Mass (if I didn't think of the Mass as important, why would I go when I don't even live anywhere near the area ???) For those who may consider stopping in, do so ... you will find it will not...