Churches in South Waco¶
South Waco has a particularly rich faith community, anchored by two historically significant Catholic parishes that have served Waco's Hispanic community for nearly a century. Catholic parish life is central to the neighborhood's social and cultural fabric.
Catholic Parishes — Core South Waco¶
St. Francis on the Brazos - Address: 301 Jefferson Ave, Waco, TX 76701 - Phone: (254) 752-8434 - Founded: 1924 by Spanish Franciscan missionaries at the invitation of the Bishop of Galveston — the first Catholic parish specifically established to serve Waco's Hispanic community - Building: Stone church completed 1931; designed by Waco architect Roy E. Lane in a style modeled on Mission San José in San Antonio; an architectural landmark - Significance: The spiritual and cultural anchor of Waco's Hispanic community for 100 years. Offered English-language and citizenship classes; in 1962, Sisters of the Daughters of Mercy helped legalize 300 Hispanic families through the parish. - Mass Schedule: Sat 7:00pm (Spanish); Sun 8:00am (Spanish), 9:30am (Bilingual), 10:30am (English), 12:00pm (Spanish); Tue 7:00pm (Spanish); Wed 7:00pm (Bilingual); Thu 12:00pm (Spanish)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Address: 2621 Bagby Ave, Waco, TX 76711 - Phone: (254) 756-2656 - Website: sacredheartwaco.com - Founded: 1957 by the Franciscan order, specifically to catechize Spanish-speaking residents on the south side - Significance: Primarily Spanish-speaking congregation serving worshipers from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Central/South America; includes a Soler Parish Activity Center - Mass Schedule: Sat 5:30pm (English); Sun 8:00am (Spanish), 10:00am (English), 12:00pm (Spanish), 2:30pm (Spanish); Wed/Thu/Fri 12:00pm (Bilingual)
Catholic Parishes — Broader Waco (Serving South Waco Families)¶
St. Mary Church of the Assumption - Address: 205 N. 14th St., Waco, TX 76701 - Phone: (254) 753-0146 - Founded: 1870 — the "Mother Church" of Catholicism in Waco - Mass Schedule: Sat 5:15pm; Sun 8:00am, 10:30am; weekday Masses Tue–Fri 7:30am or 5:15pm
St. Louis Catholic Church - Address: 2001 N. 25th St., Waco, TX 76708 - Phone: (254) 754-1221 - Website: stlouiswaco.com - Founded: 1946; parish school (St. Louis Catholic School) established 1963 - Mass Schedule: Sat 5:00pm; Sun 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm (Spanish), 5:00pm; weekday Masses Mon/Tue/Thu 7:00am, Wed 8:30am, Fri 7:00am
Protestant and Other Congregations¶
Saint Paul Baptist Church - Address: 600 E. Ward Drive, Waco, TX 76706 - Denomination: Baptist
Turning Point Assembly of God - Address: 2708 Robinson Dr, Waco, TX 76706 - Denomination: Assemblies of God / Pentecostal
Christian Life Church - Location: Waco, TX 76706 - Denomination: United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI)
Harvest Time Revival Center - Website: htrcwaco.com - Denomination: Non-denominational / full-gospel - Founded: Inaugural service August 24, 2003
Note: South Waco contains many additional storefront evangelical and Pentecostal congregations, particularly along La Salle Ave, that do not maintain a significant public web presence. The list above reflects verifiable data.