Umbarger: St. Mary’s Church

Brick church with four stained glass windows across the side and a short bell tower in front

St. Mary’s Church

Painting of woman in white gown and blue robe being pushed to the sky by eight small cherubs

Italian POWs painted frescoes throughout the church that the Umbarger community continues to preserve

Group of men including three priests posing for a picture on staircase

Italian POWs and the St. Mary’s clergy

Saint Mary’s Catholic Church opened its doors to Italian POWs held in at Camp Hereford during WWII.  Amongst the ranks of the imprisoned Italians were several highly trained artists who lent their skills to the Saint Mary’s parish, adorning the interior of the church with frescos and intricate wood carvings.  The artworks remain in Saint Mary’s today, a testament to the human relationships built in the shadow of a terrible war.

St. Mary's Church

  • 22830 Pondaseta Rd., Umbarger, TX
  • 806-499-3531
  • National Register of Historic Places
  • This is an active church. Please be respectful of services.
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