Saint Gerard Catholic Church was established in 1911 by the persistence of the Redemptorist to establish a foundation in the state of Texas.  Very Rev. Thomas Brown, C.Ss.R., Provincial of the Western Province, and Rev. Daniel Mullane, C.Ss.R., came to San Antonio to meet with Bishop John Shaw with their idea and request.  A house was formed in Boerne, TX, to be used as a residence and infirmary, but that was not the ultimate vision that the Redemptorists.  They wanted a Mission House, and again they brought their idea to the Bishop and were, after much thought given, granted the property on Knob Hill for their parish. Rev. Brown and Bishop Shaw signed the contract giving the new parish to the Redemptorist on August 17, 1911.

Rev. Brown suggested the new foundation be called St. Alphonsus, the founder of the Redemptorists; however, Rev. William Hume, Chancellor of the Diocese, had another name in mind.  Rev. Hume had gone to Rome for the canonization of St. Gerard Majella, C.Ss.R., and was impressed with the simple life of Saint Gerard.  Rev. Hume had been granted extraordinary favors through St. Gerard's powerful intercession on the day of canonization. He promised St. Gerard that if he could be an instrument in the founding of a parish, he would try to place it under his protection. So, the new parish and mission center was named Saint Gerard Majella.  St. Gerard is the Protector of Mothers, and Patron of Good Confession, Friend of the Working Man, and Father of the Poor.

Father Henry Schutten, C.Ss.R., was the first Pastor for the Mission Center.  A whole block on Iowa Street had been acquired for the parish.  While construction was being done, a house was rented as a home for the Redemptorists and use as a chapel.  This house chapel accommodated 65 people for Holy Mass.  Many of the items needed for Mass were donated by community members, communities of religious sisters, Claretian Fathers, and Rev. Hume. Attendance at the Masses quickly outgrew the space.  Later the building would be used for parish activities and eventually torn down.  Salvage materials would be used to renovate other classrooms and parish buildings.

The first Formal Mass was celebrated on September 10, 1911, with only ten people at the inaugural Mass.  Attendance was low at these Masses because people did not know that St. Gerard Chapel had been opened.  The very next day, Rev. Schutten began going door-to-door to take a census of the parish.  When completed, he had 84 families counted, and Mass attendance increased to 108 people.  Sunday school attendance also flourished, as the Redemptorist were committed to providing opportunities for the parish children. Organizations began to develop, and a choir was formed as well.

Gifts were still being received.  Vestments and sacred vessels were donated from many sources, as well as the Stations of The Cross.  The Redemptorists also received a thoroughbred bronco named Billy.  He provided the Redemptorist community a way of transportation.
Now that the parish had land to build, it needed money for the actual construction.
The parishioners were interested in raising funds, so early in October, a committee was formed to go soliciting door-to-door and local businesses.

The construction of the building was awarded to August Fuessel, a local Catholic contractor.  You can still find this family name in our parish.  On December 19, 1911, construction began. On February 22, 1912, Bishop Shaw blessed and laid the cornerstone of the new church and school.  The altar, 48 pews, and a confessional were installed.  The dedication of the church and school buildings took place on May 5, 1912, with 300 people being present.  Beginning May 7, 1912, daily masses were being offered, and devotions to Mary were held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
The School Sisters of Notre Dame were welcomed and came to teach at the school.  They lived above the classrooms for many years. On September 9, 1912, just four days after their arrival in the United States, they started teaching their first class with 37 pupils in attendance.  By November, enrollment rose to 70 students.

Once the church and school buildings were erected, the Redemptorists began work on their rectory.  The rectory would be used to house parish priests, mission preachers, retreat masters, as well as visiting priests.  On March 13, 1913, the community began to move into the new building.  In April, Bishop Shaw blessed the Redemptorist Rectory at 1617 Iowa Street.

The parish continued to grow, and many different organizations were formed. Young Ladies Sociality in 1912; the Holy Name Society in 1913; and many more were created over time.
Changes continued to happen to the parish.  Three chandeliers were installed, congregational singing was introduced, and shrines were added. Many more changes continued throughout the years.
After the second year of establishment, the Bishop asked the Redemptorist to tend to the Hispanic population living in the district.  Rev. John Muehlisiepen, C.Ss.R., started this ministry which led to the establishment of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

As the school continued to grow, the school need to expand its classroom space, and so the sisters needed a convent.  The parish also continued to grow.  Therefore, a new church building was needed.  The new building would accommodate a congregation of 700-with means to increase to 1000 if necessary.

On November 6, 1921, the ground of the new church was blessed, and on New Year's Day 1922, the cornerstone for the new church was blessed.  On July 2, 1922, Mass was celebrated, but the formal Dedication Mass took place on July 4, 1922.

As the school continued to grow, the Portables were added for additional classrooms.  They became known as Neumann Hall.  The original buildings used were eventually dismantled. 
In January of 1925, the ground was broken for the erection of the Grotto of Lourdes at the rear of the sacristy.  Brother Michael Reinig, C.Ss.R., and fellow parishioners constructed the grotto, which contains a replica of the statue of the Blessed Virgin in the grotto in Lourdes, France.  On Sunday, May 17, 1925, with over 600 people present, the grotto was blessed and continues to be admired and honored. It also serves as a memorial to deceased members of Saint Gerard Parish.

Weekly devotions in honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help began in November of 1930.  
In 1936, Saint Gerard Catholic Church celebrated its Silver Jubilee with a Mass and a banquet which entertained Sixty-Five priests, religious, and laypeople.

Changes have continued in the parish. In 1938, the enlargement of the alcoves on either side of the sanctuary was completed.  And from 1939 to 1945, many other significant changes were made. The wooden altar of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was replaced with a marble altar which was fabricated in Italy.  The church interior was repainted, a new marble altar and communion rail was installed, and they were modified after Vatican II.  New pews were installed for beauty and comfort, and they have been updated in recent years.  A larger convent was built for the sisters to live.  

The Church continued flourishing during the early 1940s through the 1960s with increases in parishioners and students.  One Mass recorded 2,500 people present, and the high school was erected on New Braunfels to accommodate the student enrollment.

From 1950 to 1959, many priests served Saint Gerard Catholic Church, and Masses were added and taken away during these changing times due to the division of the parish by new churches constructed in the surrounding area.

In October 1961, Saint Gerard Catholic Church celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a three-day celebration.  Masses were celebrated, a Fall Festival was held, and a banquet was given.  A Jubilee brochure was created that described the 50-year history of the church.

From 1970 to 1978, the church began to decline in the number of parishioners that resulted in financial difficulties for the parish, causing the high school's relinquishment to the Archdiocese.  In 1970, despite these troubles, the elementary school was recognized as one of the best schools in the state of Texas.

In 1978, Rev. Lahay inherited the impoverished parish with few members.  He began visiting families in the parish area, created a weekly Bingo, and introduced the monthly Improvement Fund Collection.  His extraordinary efforts paid off, and many improvements were made to the church.  Rev. Michael Schatzle, C.Ss.R., continued the work that Rev. Lahay had started when he was appointed Superior and Pastor.  In the same year, the Redemptorist relocated its formation program to San Antonio, TX, since the Sisters of Notre Dame exited their residence at St. Gerard.  The former convent served as a Formation Center for pre-professed candidates and professed students for the Vice-Province of New Orleans.  In 1985, it was christened Liguori House, and 13 young men were welcomed.

In 1986, St. Gerard Catholic Church celebrated its 75 year Anniversary, which included the offical opening of the Redemptorit's Liguori Seminary, a Mexican folk Mass, a Czech Mass, and a five-day mission celebrating Saint Gerard. 

From 1990 to 1993, Rev. John Farnik, C.Ss.R., Pastor of the Parish, discontinued the 12:30 pm Mass due to declining attendance.  Rev. Farnik remained at the parish until August 2010, when he retired.  Rev. Gerald Seibold, C.Ss.R., served as Pastor from 1993-1999 when a native son was appointed Pastor, Rev. Alton Carr, C.Ss.R.  Rev. Carr served the parish until 2008.

In 2001, the elementary school closed due to insufficient enrollment as many people moved away from the Parish.  Also, the high school suffered a decrease in enrollment but has remained open due to robust alumni.

Rev. James Shea, C.Ss.R., served as Pastor from 2008-2019.  Saint Gerard Catholic Church quickly took to the charismatic Pastor.  The Parish celebrated its 100 year birthday during his time as Pastor.The celebration included Masses, receptions, and every month during the year, starting in January, celebrating a different ethnic culture.  Rev. Shea even did his part by accepting the role of the Bishop in a short play commemorating Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The year ended with a grand outdoor Mass and dinner.  Rev. Shea was transferred by the Redemptorists to Tucson, AZ, in 2019. T

Rev. Donald Willard, C.Ss.R., was assigned as Pastor in September of 2019.  Rev. Willard had previously been at Saint Gerard's in 2003 as a student during his apostolic year.  Many of the parishioners remembered him.  Shortly after becoming the Pastor, the COVID-19 pandemic has created even more significant challenges for the Parish.  

Since 1911, Saint Gerard Catholic Church has seen many dedicated people who have celebrated and worshiped together and continue to be united by the bonds of love formed through our shared experiences.  The triumphs and challenges have formed us into a welcoming community that understands itself as Your Family in Christ.