Edward the Confessor was the first Anglo-Saxon and the only king of England to be canonized.  Edward is called Confessor, the name for someone believed to have lived a saintly life but who was not a martyr.  He died in London on January 5, and he was canonized in 1161 by Pope Alexander III. His feast day is October 13.

Through the teachings of Jesus Christ and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we, as Catholic Christians, strive to teach our youth, evangelize our community and renew our faithful. We will promote the principles of the Catholic Church through Scripture, Sacraments, prayer, almsgiving and penance — helping each other to seek eternal salvation with God in heaven.

 
A través de las enseñanzas de Jesucristo y con la guía del Espíritu Santo, nosotros, como Cristianos Católicos, nos esforzamos a enseñar a nuestros jóvenes, evangelizar nuestra comunidad y renovar a nuestros fieles. Promoveremos los principios de la Iglesia Católica por medio de las escrituras, los sacramentos, la oración, la limosna y la penitencia — ayudándonos los unos a los otros para alcanzar la salvación eterna con Dios en el cielo.

St. Edward's began as a mission of the Immaculate Conception Church in Tyler.  Many priests traveled from Tyler on weekends to say mass, baptize and officiate marriages.

1946 - 1947
St. Edward's Catholic Church was formed in the year 1946 by Father Wolfe who had been sent to Athens by Bishop Lynch from Dallas.  The first Roman Catholic Services were held at  the Henderson County Courthouse in Athens.  After three services in the courthouse, regular catholic church services were held at the Women's Building in Athens. Church members prayed to construct a Catholic church for Father Wolfe.  With much hard work, time and money the members were able build a church, a House of the Lord. Thanks to the Church Extension Society, St.Edward's Catholic Church was dedicated on July 20th 1947. 

1972               
The parish hall was added in May 1972 during the residency of Father John Fowler fulfilling the need for a place of fellowship for the members of the church.

1980
St. Edward's was raised to the status of a parish with Msgr. James Tucek being its first resident Pastor. A rectory was built at that time.



1984
Fr. Samuel S. Metzger served the St Edward's faith community as the second resident pastor, continuing the Lord's work.

1995
The current Faith Formation Center was converted from the white house next to St. Edward's. In that spring season the Center was blessed by Bishop Edmond Carmody and opened for religious education.
 
1998
Fr. Pancras Savarimuthu arrived in June to continue the Lord's mission. The congregation had grown to 330 families and Fr. Pancras encouraged the start of many associations for the welfare of the parish community including the Finance Council and the Parish Council. He led the journey to begin planning a new St. Edward's Campus.


2015

Fr. Nolan Thomas Lowry, ordained a priest for the Diocese of Tyler on July 17, 2010 arrived in June to pastor His flock at St. Edward’s Parish and the greater Athens area.  He has a STB degree in general theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a STL degree in moral theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross also in Rome.   Fr. Lowry also serves on the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and the Diocesan Vocations Team.   Fr. Lowry’s greatest zeal is to share the joy of knowing and loving Jesus Christ and helping others into relationship with Him through the Catholic Church.  

2019
Earlier this year, our parish church invested in what was formerly known as Hope Church located at 1310 S. Palestine in Athens Tx.  Rededicated as the St. Edward Education and Ministry (SEEM) center includes not only a building twice the size of what we wanted to build for a third of the price of building new; we also acquired a beautiful chapel, multiple faith formation classrooms, a fellowship hall, a gymnasium, and a kitchen to enhance our ability to serve.  We also acquired over five acres of land on S. Palestine Street where the SEEM is located.  We now have two campuses to maintain and from which to serve our parishioners and our community.