His Holiness St. Pius X

He is known as the Renovation's Pope. Guiseppe Melchiorre Sarto at the age of 68 became Pius X, one of the 20th century's greatest popes. He was born on June 2, 1835 as the 2nd of 10 children, in a poor italian family.

Ever mindful of his humble origin, he stated, "I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor."

Interested in politics, one of his first Papal Acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections, a practice that reduced the freedom of the 1903 conclave which had elected him. He denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake, and sheltered refugees at his own expense.

He managed the renewal of Gregorian chants, the missal, the liturgical calendar, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Christian people daily approach to the Eucharist, and the instauration of the Holy Communion for the children.

He saw the Heavenly Light on May 20, 1914, and was canonized in 1954.

Early Days of the Parish

St. Pius was founded on March 20, 1955, and named by Bishop Metzger in honor of St. Pius X, who, as Pope, established the Diocese of El Paso on March 3, 1914. Msgr. Lawrence E. Gaynor was the First Pastor at St. Pius X. The parish built a Catholic School where Mass was celebrated in the gym until the Church was built. The Parish Ministry Council chose the theme "Communion and Mission" to describe the Parish's Life and Mission—a community centered on the community of the Triune God. Christ calls the community to the mission of fostering the reign of God of peace and justice, giving preference to the struggling poorest among us.

Over the years, several pastors have served our Parish. Msgr. Lawrence E. Gaynor, Msgr. Thomas Rowland, Msgr. Leone, Msgr. Stefan, Msgr. Francis Smith, Msgr. Arturo Bañuelas, Rev. Wilson Cuevas, Rev. Beto Lopez, and Rev. Miguel Angel Sanchez.

Renovation Time

On June 26, 1993, the community built the present beautiful church facility with a capacity for 1,000 worshippers. Today, the parish includes the church, community center, ministry center, bookstore, plaza, food pantry, and three parking lots.