In 1926, at the request of the city's Italian Catholics, Dioscesan officials invited the Rev. Saverio Vecchio to preach a mission. A s a result, the congregation of San Francesco DI Paola was organized. Designed by Richard Vander Stratten and built by Luigi L. Guido and Vincenzo Falbo, this Romanesque structure with decorative stone detailing, round-arched stained glass windows, and spire was dedicated on May 1, 1927, by arch-bishop A. J. Drossaerts. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1992