In 1956, our history begins with Monsignor James Burnes, a man of great insight, who asked Most Reverend Thomas Gorman of Dallas to open a new parish in the southwest part of town. He also asked that the parish be named after St. Elizabeth of Hungary. In the parish’s first bulletin, Monsignor Burnes wrote the following regarding the new parish: “Our beloved bishop was indeed very kind and helpful. He not only allowed me the privilege of determining the boundaries for St. Elizabeth Church but also allowed me to select the site and name the parish in ‘memory of my sweet mother’.” Thus, the patron saint for our parish comes to us through the zeal and love of the first Pastor for his mother!
Instead of traditional construction, Monsignor Burnes purchased the old Westminster Presbyterian Church, had it dismantled, and rebuilt on the new parish site. The cost of the 22-acre property in southwest Oak Cliff was $50,000. Ten months later, on March 11, 1956, the first solemn Mass was celebrated at the parish by Bishop Gorman. Two hundred families comprised the first group of parishioners, some whom are still members today. The first permanent structure on the property was completed in 1957. The two-level rectory, which is now the Grahmann Center was also completed.
The first major parish effort was to establish a parochial school. In 1958, the school opened its doors. After the construction of the school, the number of parishioners increased to 2,300 members. In August of 1966, due to the large attendance, Sunday Mass was moved from the old Presbyterian Church building to the auditorium at Bishop Dunne Catholic School. Once again, there was a need for a new church. In 1966, Monsignor Burnes began another major undertaking, the construction of the permanent church building and a new rectory and offices for the parish. Ground was broken for the new buildings in October 1966, with construction to begin the following March.
The contemporary design of the church was brick with a 35-foot gold-colored aluminum cross in the front of the church. The main sanctuary seats 1,100 people and has a choir loft. In April 1968, Bishop Thomas Gorman would dedicate the new church and Monsignor Burnes would celebrate the first Mass.
In 1958, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School opened with a Kindergarten and first grade enrollment of 62 students. By 1961, there were 8 classes meeting in temporary buildings. The following year, the first phase of the school was completed and teachers were largely volunteers. By 1964, the School Sisters of Notre Dame were staffing the school and remained here until 1983.
Rt. Rev. Msgr. James F. Burnes 1956 - 1971
Rev. Msgr. Joseph P. Erbick 1972 - 1978
Rev. William F. Moran 1978 - 1986
Rev. Msgr. John F. Meyers 1987 - 1994
Very Rev. T. Michael Dugan 1994 - 2016
Very Rev. Russ Mower 2016 - 2022
Very Rev. Emmett Hall 2022 - present