The first Catholic Church established in Kingsville was St. Gertrude's. But by 1914, the Catholic population had grown so much that is was necessary to establish another parish to care for the needs of the Spanish-speaking people. So, in the latter part of 1914 the parish of St. Martin of Tours was established. The first pastor was Fr. Isidro Cavazos, a refugee priest fleeing the religious persecution in Mexico. He was soon followed by the good sisters from Aguascalientes, the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary. Blessed Mother Julia Navarrete established a convent nearby.
Up until 1929, St. Martin's was a wooden church. Through the sacrifices of the parishioners during the Great Depression, a brick church, rectory and the first parochial school was built. When Fr. Cavazos died in 1936, he was succeeded by Fr. Cayetano Alvarez who served as pastor until 1940. In that year, Bishop Emmanuel Boleslaus Ledvina of the Diocese of Corpus Christi entrusted the parish to the pastoral care of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
The first Oblate pastor was Fr. Tomás Fernandez. During his tenure, the parish was officially dedicated. In 1952, St. Martin's received its second Oblate pastor, Fr. José Arratibel. The church prospered and grew so much it became necessary to open a chapel on the east side of Kingsville in 1954. Our Lady of Good Counsel mission began operations on Kleberg Avenue east of 14th Street. Further expansion necessitated opening another mission in 1963 on the northeast side of town. St. Joseph the Worker's mission.
1964 saw St. Martin of Tours parish thriving with two missions. A new pastor took charge, Oblate Father Julian Johnson, in February of that year. A fire destroyed the rectory late in the year. By the grace of God, the parish records were saved. A new rectory was built and blessed by the new pastor, Oblate Father Edward Postert in 1966. Fr. Postert served St. Martin's parish for only one year due to poor health but left the legacy of a well-established Knights of the Altar program.
Fr. John McGrath, O.M.I was appointed pastor in August, 1968. During his tenure, the parish buildings were renovated and property was purchased for additional parking. Oblate Father Stanley Guzik took over pastoral duties here in 1976. He was succeeded by Oblate Father Kenneth T. Hennessy in 1985. Fr. Hennessy oversaw the renovation of the rectory and the church--most notably the beautiful stained-glass windows. Fr. Hennessy received much-needed help from fellow Oblate priests, Fr. Antonio Izquierdo and Fr. Sebastian Mozos.
Fr. Jim Foelker, O.M.I., was appointed pastor in 1991. Fr. Foelker served our parish for fifteen years. He was succeeded by Oblate Father Isidore Garcia, assisted by Fr. Joe Torres in 2006. The roof of the church was replaced and the chancel remodeled during this time. While parishioners now had a 'new' church for prayer and worship, they now had to say good-bye to the pastoral care of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The Diocese of Corpus Christi took over management of St. Martin of Tours parish in 2010. Our first diocesan pastor since 1940 took office; Fr. Naul Ordoñez settled in to continue ministering to the faithful. For a brief time, he was assisted by Fr. Victor Ponuswammy until the latter was assigned to St. Peter's mission in Ben Bolt. Fr. Ordoñez presided over the centennial celebration in 2014 and helped the parish step into the digital age. The Saturday vigil and 10am Sunday Masses are broadcast over the internet while parishioners can visit the parochial website.
At first glance, it would appear that the success of St. Martin's was the sole work of the pastors. Nothing could be further from the truth. The associates that labored alongside the pastors are many and may go unnoticed. Nevertheless they are remembered and loved by you and so we attempt here to record their names. No doubt, we left some out and ask you to let us know to fill us in.
Fr. Joe Buckley, O.M.I; Fr. Gene Canas, O.M.I;  Fr. Isidoro Chateau, O.M.I (+1960); Fr. Andre Douche, O.M.I (+1959);  Fr. Frank Duffy, O.M.I (+1967);  Fr. William Eevers, O.M.I;  Fr. Hugh Finnegan, O.M.I (+1959);  Fr. Ed Laferriere, O.M.I (+1957);  Fr. William Luyten, O.M.I (+1972);
Fr. Dan McKenna, O.M.I;  Fr. Jim Meagher, O.M.I;  Fr. Adolph Metzger , O.M.I (+1983); Fr. Tom O'Connor, O.M.I;  Fr. Matthew Powers , O.M.I (+1985)