Bishop Zurek to Dedicate New Dalhart Parish Life Center

It’s a second life for a church building in Dalhart.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will dedicate the new St. Anthony’s Parish Life Center at 1401 Scott Ave. Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6:00pm. The “new” 6,431 square-foot building will be primarily used for Christian Formation for kindergarten through fifth grade students, but will also serve as a meeting place for Knights of Columbus Council #2776 and for other parish events, according to Monsignor Michael Colwell, pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Church.

The building, located south of the church building, is the former house of worship for First Presbyterian Church, which closed its doors after 114 years of service earlier this year, according to Monsignor Colwell.

“The purchase of the former First Presbyterian Church building is a win-win situation,” he told The Dalhart Texan. “The Knights of Columbus will have a home in the parish hall and kindergarten through fifth grade will have a dedicated space for Faith Formation on Wednesdays.”

Monsignor Colwell said when told the church building was for sale, the parish approached the realtor and started the process to discern if there was a need for additional property.

“We conducted a town hall meeting on the Presbyterian property and discussed the pros and cons,” he said. “It was determined that night if enough cash could be raised, we would proceed with the purchase.”

Thanks to the generosity of parish organizations and parishioners, St. Anthony of Padua Church paid cash for the new building.

Minimal renovations have been performed on the property, with the most notable being the enlargement of classrooms. The former sanctuary was transformed into a multi-purpose room, which will be available to the public. The pews from the church were donated to Christ the King Church in Sunray.

“I can see us using this facility to host Christian concerts and speakers,” said Monsignor Colwell. “In addition, our parish’s Faith and Works Committee is very excited to have for the first time a dedicated room to use as a food pantry to feed the hungry of Dalhart.”

Also excited about the new building is St. Anthony of Padua Christian Formation Director Jovita Anzaldua.

“We are very excited about the children and catechists having their own space,” she said.

Monsignor Colwell added that he is grateful to the dozens and dozens of parishioners who have made this possible through both generous donations and offering of time and talent in the renovation of the building.