"Few churches in the history of our diocese and maybe indeed in the history of the church in the United States have had to survive so many disappointments, mini-disasters and almost 'orphan hood' for almost a century." A quote from Bishop Bolands's homily September 7, 2002, at Mass preceding the groundbreaking for the present St.George Catholic Church.

The first Catholic church in Odessa, built around 1881, was destroyed by a storm in1885. The second church, built 1888, was destroyed by fire in 1890. Parishioners salvaged as much lumber as they could from the burned church and stored it at St. Mary Parish in Higginsville, but that lumber was destroyed when St. Mary burned to the ground.

Property on the corner of 2nd and Dryden streets was purchased in 1906 where parishioner Charlie McGirl built the third church. Franciscan priests staffed this church in 1907 which was named St. Anthony, and served the community until 1964. The pictures below show this church.
 
 

During the Great Depression, the Catholic community almost disappeared. According to registration rolls, the community was down to 20 families. But in 1948, it experienced a revival and St. Anthony was given the new name of St. George. 

A larger church, the fourth, was built at the corner of Phillips and 3rd streets in 1964 and used until 2005. The pictures below show this church.
 
 
 
 When the current church was completed and dedicated in 2005, the 1964 church was equipped with a kitchen and now serves as a "parish hall". 

The first resident priest built the "YEC building" in 1978, which is equipped with classrooms, kitchen, and activity room for the children.
 
 
 The rectory was purchased in 1980.

Dedication of our fifth church was in April 2005. 

 " YOU CAN FIND US AT THE CROSS."