A Beacon of Light in Houston's Fifth Ward
Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church stands at 4000 Sumpter Street in the heart of Houston's Greater Fifth Ward, minutes from downtown and serving people throughout greater Houston. For more than 95 years, the parish has been known as a beacon of evangelization, Catholic education, family worship and compassionate service. Its story grew out of the Creole community called French Town.
French Town Gives Birth to a Catholic Parish
The parish's history begins with the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Creoles of French, Spanish and African descent who were hardworking, resourceful and devoutly Catholic were left homeless and devastated in Louisiana. Many relocated to Houston and settled in an area bounded by Collingsworth, Russell, Liberty Road and Jensen Drive. They spoke Creole French and kept their Louisiana food, music and culture alive. The neighborhood became known as French Town in the heart of Fifth Ward.
French Town residents were skilled and semi-skilled carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers and mechanics. They found work at the Englewood Yard of the Southern Pacific Railroad and along the Houston Ship Channel. Attending Mass was a real journey: St. Nicholas, the nearest Black Catholic church, stood three miles away in Third Ward, and worshippers traveled by streetcar or foot along narrow, unpaved dirt roads. At nearby Hispanic church Our Lady of Guadalupe on Navigation, the Creole families were permitted only in back rows and received Communion and confession last.
The burdens of distance and unequal treatment prompted families to meet in one another's homes and plan a church of their own. They raised money through gatherings that included house Zydeco dances and sales of gumbo, boudain and pralines. The Josephite Priests helped make additional financing possible. A donor gave land on Sumpter Street near the railroad tracks, while French Town families gave their own time and labor to build.
Ground was broken for the Little Mission Church on April 28, 1928. The building was completed in a little over a year, and Bishop C.E. Byrne celebrated its first Mass on June 9, 1929. It officially became a parish on June 30, 1930, with Father Michael Flaherty appointed as pastor. Josephite priests continued to serve, helping the parish overcome racism, bigotry and a language barrier.
Education and Community Roots That Endure
In fall 1930, the parish founders and Josephite Fathers opened Our Mother of Mercy School for grades 1 through 12. Families paid ten cents a week, and the Sisters of the Holy Family, known as the Black Nuns of New Orleans, staffed the school. Beyond regular classes, the sisters conducted home school for students unable to attend and tutored on Saturdays. More than 25,000 students attended until the school closed in 2006.
The parish established a Federal Credit Union in 1965 to meet the financial needs of parishioners. The OMOM Federal Credit Union is based at 4000 Sumpter Street. More than 45 ministries and programs serve children, youth, adults and older people. The church is also home to the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver, Council and Court #72, described as the largest Black Catholic fraternal organization in the United States. The parish motto reads, “Celebrating over 95+ years of Evangelization and Education as a Beacon of Light in the Heart of Fifth Ward.” Its history also carries the line “All Generations Will Call Me Blessed,” Luke 1:48.
Mass and the Rhythm of the Parish
Mass is a solemn and sacred encounter with the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. It renews people in faith and draws worshippers into communion with the universal Church. Celebrations are prayerful, joyful and welcoming.
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Tuesday through Friday Mass: 5:00 PM
- Sunday Confession: 9:00-9:30 AM
- Saturday Confession: 3:00-3:30 PM, or by appointment
The Tuesday through Friday Masses are held in the church. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM and closes for lunch from noon to 12:30 PM. Online giving is available through the parish's online giving service.
Dressing and Taking Part with Reverence
The parish asks visitors to dress appropriately and arrive on time. Its Mass etiquette is rooted in reverence for the house of the Lord and consideration for others.
- Silence or turn off electronic devices so they do not distract others.
- Men remove their hats when entering the church.
- Bless yourself with holy water upon entering and thank God for the grace given at baptism.
- Genuflect toward the Tabernacle before sitting and when leaving. A bow is sufficient for someone unable to genuflect.
- Participate through singing, speaking, prayer and attentive presence rather than simply observing.
- Do not draw on or mark pews or other church property.
- Abstain from food and drink for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Medicine and water are exceptions, as are situations involving illness or advanced age.
- Bow before receiving Communion. When receiving in the hands, hold them clasped in front of you at chest height and place Communion in your mouth before turning away from the altar.
- Stay through the closing hymn until the priest has left the altar. Returning books to their holders and picking up trash or tissues helps prepare the church for the next Mass.
Food and ordinary drinks are not allowed in the church, including gum, candy, cookies and other snacks. Bottled infant formula or milk and bottled water for the sick or elderly are exceptions. A child who needs to be fed may be taken to the Social Center.
At the Sign of Peace, turn toward those nearby for a verbal greeting when a hand is not extended.
Faith Formation from Second Grade Through Adulthood
CCE classes serve second grade through high school senior and meet in the OMOM Family Center from 8:30 to 9:45 AM on Sunday.
- Baptism: One parent must be a parishioner, one godparent should be a practicing Catholic, parents must attend an online baptismal class, and a certified birth certificate and baptism registration form are required.
- OCIC: Children ages 7 to 17 attend weekly Sunday CCE classes. A parent must be a parishioner, and the child or youth must be enrolled and attend regularly.
- First Communion: The child must be at least seven years old, baptized and have a parent who is a parishioner.
- Confirmation: Preparation is a two-year process beginning with a ninth-grade review. The candidate must have received Baptism and Holy Eucharist.
- Adult initiation: The OCIA program for people age 17 to adulthood prepares adults for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion or Confirmation. Monthly classes take place on the second Saturday and Sunday, with morning Scripture study after the 8:30 worship.
Marriage preparation includes sessions with a sponsor couple. Couples are also asked to meet with a priest or deacon six months before their proposed date. Funeral Services are part of the parish's care for families, with Matthew 11:28-30 associated with that ministry.
Parishioners also have free access to FORMED through a browser, iOS, Android and tvOS, with additional availability through Roku and Android TV. Its Catholic formation offerings include movies, documentaries, podcasts, downloadable books, Bible studies, catechesis, an online Catholic Bible and daily readings for adults, children and teens.
Serving at the Altar and Throughout the Parish
Father Kenneth C. Ugwu, S.S.J., serves as pastor, with deacons Charles J. Allen, Sr., and Irvin Johnson, Jr., assisting in parish ministry. Serving during Mass is a central part of parish life, with roles for hospitality, the altar, music, the Word and Holy Communion.
- Ministers of Hospitality: These ministers welcome people and help them feel at ease as they enter the church.
- Acolytes: The ministry is open to men at least 21 years old who are fully initiated and living an exemplary Christian life. Those who are married must be in a valid union recognized by the Church. The Archdiocese is awaiting guidance on admitting women to this ministry.
- Altar Servers: Children who have received First Communion may join this ministry.
- Adult and Youth Lectors: Youth may begin at age eight after First Communion. Adult lectors are registered parishioners age 18 and older.
- Music Ministry: Registered parishioners can bring their voices and musical talents to the parish's music ministry.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: These ministers take part in distributing Holy Communion.
- Bereavement Ministry: This ministry supports people walking through grief.
The Archdiocese uses CMGConnect training for Safe Environment requirements. The training includes the three-part “Safe Haven - It's Up to You” video and brief questionnaires about grooming, desensitization, bullying and neglect. All clergy, employees, contracted school personnel and volunteers over age 18 who work with or around children, older adults or adults with special needs must complete the training and submit a criminal background check before beginning ministry. Renewal training and a new background check are required at each five-year anniversary.
The pastor asks that the Angelus Prayer be prayed at noon every day. Its dialogue moves from the Angel of the Lord and Mary's response to the Incarnation and a final petition to be worthy of Christ's promises. A parish livestream is available through the OMOM Catholic Church Houston channel on YouTube.
At 4000 Sumpter Street, Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church continues the work that began with French Town families: a Fifth Ward parish where worship, education, service, family life and care for those who grieve remain joined to its mission of evangelization.