Society of St. Vincent de Paul

From St Alice to Holy Family

On Sunday June 14, 1942, the dedication of Saint Alice Catholic Church by Bishop O'Brien from Chicago took place. The Church was named under the patronage of St. Alice and in memory of Bishop O'Brien's mother. Msgr. Earnest Langenhorst, pastor of the new parish, celebrated Mass. Twenty-three years later as the needs of parishioners outgrew facilities at Saint Alice Church, they moved to a new home on Pershing Avenue.  St Alice became Holy Family Catholic Church in 1965.

History of Holy FamilySociety of St Vincent de Paul

The first meeting of the St Vincent de Paul Society was called to order on May 4, 1945 in the Rectory of St Alice Church, Fort Worth, TX at 8:16 P.M.  Father Ernest Langenhorst, Pastor of St. Alice Church explained the work of the Society and that the primary purpose of taking membership is the personal satisfaction and spiritual growth of its members.  The first president of the St Alice (Holy Family) Conference unanimously elected was J.S. Noel.  The president then appointed Father Langenhorst as Chaplain, C.J. Rucker as vice-president, Rufus Parr as treasurer, and B.J. Lunt as secretary.  The treasurer held a secret collection and the beginning balance was $6.50.  The next meeting was set for two weeks later, May 18th.

Until 1963, women were organized separately throughout the world as the 'Woman’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul'.  The women's Society was amalgamated with the men's Society in 1967.  The St Vincent de Paul Society now admits both men and women with equal responsibility.The Holy Family SVDP (St Vincent de Paul) grew to include a food pantry as well as continuing the work of home visits, food baskets, and angel tree and school supplies.  In the fall of 2015, the Holy Family SVDP chose to disband the food bank.  The growth of WestAid, a food pantry serving the same zip codes and communities has filled the need of the Holy Family pantry.  The school supply was disbanded in 2024.
​​Holy Family SVDP continues to grow in its spirituality, fellowship and service to others and themselves.

History of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded by Frederic Ozanam who was mentored by Rosalie Rendu. Frederic Ozanam would become known as "The Father of the Poor."  These young men attracted the comment "What can seven young men hope to achieve in alleviating the suffering of Paris?" Fortunately Ozanam paid little heed to their comments, determined to satisfy his own conscience that he was doing what he could to bear witness to his Christian upbringing by assisting those less fortunate in the community. Together these individuals sought to help the poor and the sick. ​​
Twelve years later, in 1845, Society of St. Vincent de Paul principals made its way to the U.S. by way of Father John Timon, CM, an American Vincentian priest and took root in St. Louis Missouri. 
Today, the Society has grown to nearly 100,000 trained volunteers and has helped more than 10.9 million people through visits to homes, prisons, and hospitals.

From St Alice to Holy Family

History of Holy Family

Society of St Vincent de Paul

Until 1963, women were organized separately throughout the world as the 'Woman’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul'. The women's Society was amalgamated with the men's Society in 1967. The St Vincent de Paul Society now admits both men and women with equal responsibility.

​​Holy Family SVDP continues to grow in its spirituality, fellowship and service to others and themselves.

History of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Twelve years later, in 1845, Society of St. Vincent de Paul principals made its way to the U.S. by way of Father John Timon, CM, an American Vincentian priest and took root in St. Louis Missouri.

Today, the Society has grown to nearly 100,000 trained volunteers and has helped more than 10.9 million people through visits to homes, prisons, and hospitals.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - Matthew 18:20

Holy Family SVDP continues to grow in its spirituality, fellowship and service to others and themselves.