Holy Family Catholic Church
5410 Buffalo Gap Road
325-692-1820
holyfamilyabilene.org

Timeline
1972–Holy Family Catholic Center became a mission of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and met in the old Central Catholic School on Sherman Drive
1976–Holy Family becomes a parish, with Rev. Robert Kelly as its first pastor. 
1984–Groundbreaking held for new church on Buffalo Gap Road in September
1985–Bishop Michael Pfeifer dedicates Holy Family Catholic Church at 5410 Buffalo Gap Road on Nov. 3
1994–Church Office and Parish Center Building added
2005–Bishop Pfeifer dedicates $2.2 million on Jan. 27, 2005, which added classrooms to the church building, expanded the kitchen facility of the Parish Center and created a new courtyard to join the Parish Center to a new Youth Center and gymnasium. 
2026–Bishop Michael Sis will preside over a Celebration Mass at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 in observance of the church’s 50th anniversary of becoming a parish

By Loretta Fulton

Holy Family Catholic Church enjoys numerous milestones, but the one being observed Sept. 16 celebrates the year that Holy Family became an independent parish.

Bishop Michael Sis will be at the church for a 6:30 p.m. Mass. Afterward, a reception will be held in the parish center with light appetizers and desserts. 

Bishop Michael Sis

“The people of Holy Family feel incredibly blessed by God’s provision for our parish,” according to a compilation its history provided by the church. “This place has become a home away from home for our families and visitors, and we look forward to where the Lord will take us in the future.”

Holy Family’s origins date to 1972 as a mission of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, led by Rev. Thomas Diab. It was known as Holy Family Catholic Center and was located in the old Central Catholic School on Sherman Drive in what is now St. John’s Episcopal School. Central Catholic School, which accommodated both elementary students and high school students, closed in 1971. It originally was built as Central Catholic High School. 

When Holy Family became a parish in 1976, its first pastor was Rev. Robert Kelly. The parish was blessed by Bishop Stephen Leven on Sunday, Jan. 9, 1977. 

“As we grew, we needed to find more space than just the auditorium of the vacated Central Catholic High School filled with folding chairs,” according to the history provided by Holy Family. 

The church rectory and church offices relocated to a house that was on property purchased on Buffalo Gap Road. Worship services were held in the former St. John’s School on Bowie Drive. 

Rev. Nilo Nalugon, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church since 2023

Groundbreaking for the current church was held in September 1984. On Nov. 3, 1985, Bishop Michael Pfeifer dedicated Holy Family Catholic Church at 5410 Buffalo Gap Road. The Church Office and Parish Center Building was added in 1994. But more was still to come. On Jan. 21, 2004, ground was broken to add classrooms to the church building, expand the kitchen facility of the Parish Center and create a new courtyard to join the Parish Center to a new Youth Center and gymnasium. On Jan. 27, 2005, Bishop Pfeifer presided over the dedication and blessing of the completed $2.2 million project. The church history says the following:

“The church was built by the men and women who loved God deeply and wanted to build a home for His people here in Abilene. Holy Family was built not just with bricks, but with love,” Rev. Nilo Nalugon, pastor of Holy Family since 2023, said for the church history.

Monsignor  Frederick G. Nawarskas

One of the longest-serving priests at the church was Monsignor  Frederick G. Nawarskas  who served for 25 years, from July 1, 1996, until his retirement on June 30, 2021. He still serves the church in a Reduced Active Ministry role.

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene