In 1906, a group of Czech immigrants settled in the southwestern part of Archer County in what would become the town of Megargel. These immigrants desired a place of worship, but without the railroads, it was an impossible feat. In the beginning, homes were contributed for church services. In 1909, they obtained a priest for Megargel, Father Philibert Haase (OMF) of Hermleigh, TX.
St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church has been in continuous existence in Megargel for more than 100 years, and today is the oldest church of any denomination to be established and still thriving in the city of Megargel. The first funeral conducted by Father was on December 24, 1907. The first baptism was performed by Father on January 3, 1909. By 1915, the parishioners decided they needed a church building. The family of Vincent J. and Mary Darilek bought 6 lots on the west edge of Megargel that they donated to the church specifically for the new church building. On May 1, 1917, it was dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Most Reverend Joseph Patrick Lynch of the Diocese of Dallas.
The structure of St. Mary of the Assumption is shown on a Sanborn map of December 15, 1936, as a completed wood frame, shingle roof, and balcony. In the late 1970’s, the parishioners added metal siding to the outside of the church and storm windows over the stained glass windows for protection. Inside the church the original stained glass windows remain along with the original tin ceiling tiles and the original tin wall paneling. Everything about the building has remained original, save for the occasional repainting.
In the spring of 1936, the Knights of Columbus from St. Mary of the Assumption built a parish hall near the church, which served a variety of purposes, such as religious education and a dwelling for Fr. Paul Mosler. The Knights also built a hall on the eastern side of Megargel on 2 acres of land that was used for recreational purposes. This area was used for the celebration of the parish’s feast day, which was August 15th. These celebrations attracted people from all over the state of Texas! These celebrations ceased in the early 1980’s due to many of the original parishioners having been deceased and many of their children moving to larger cities. The parishioners who stayed behind decided that the cost, liability, and workload of hosting these celebrations was too much for them to handle.
St. Mary or the Assumption Catholic Church has also been very active in the mission field since 1923, including youth missions. The parish has partnered with Sacred Heart parish in Seymour to send supplies, food, clothing, and donations to a “sister diocese” - Diocese of Juticalpa, Honduras very frequently. The youth have participated in many missions in the U.S. (such as the Appalachian area in Kentucky) and abroad (Juticalpa, Honduras).
St. Mary of the Assumption was the first Catholic Church in the city of Megargel, with the congregation established in 1909. The Czech Catholic community built the present house of worship in 1916, adding new educational and recreational facilities over the years. Although the congregation is much smaller than it was in the church’s early days, it is still going strong!