LYFROD – Several Rio Grande Valley churches came together this year to celebrate their 50th anniversary with parishioners.  

The churches of St. Martin of Tours of Sebastian and Santa Monica of Santa Monica joined Prince of Peace in celebration at Lyford.

 “Today is our 50th anniversary. So, we are gathered here to give thanks to God for all those many blessings,” said Bishop Daniel Flores.

Bishop Flores led the three-community event.

“It’s an exciting time for us as far as 50 years. I actually attended Sebastian since high school and now my two older kids are altar servers,” Cynthia Rodriguez, a Sebastian parishioner said.

A church existed before Our Lady of Guadalupe in Raymondville. The church was renamed in 1967 when Bishop Humber Medeiros established the parish in Lyford.

Parishioners have since taken care of an old bell that hung on the church.

“We’ve been taking care of that bell for Fr. Mac for years. And we wanted to bring it back because it’s part of this parish, part of all these beautiful people,” said Connie Aparacio.

Many reminisced on their congregation’s beginnings and its history.  

“What is now known as Willacy County would be considered remote to many and not an easy place to live and raise a family,” said one attendee.

“We had a choir in front. I started when I was 15 years old,” said another.

Bishop Flores added five other churches will also be celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.

“In El Ranchito, San Ygnacio and also Santa Rosa, and also in La Grulla and also in Queen of Peace,” he said.