Monsignor William H. Oberste papers

Collection

Identifier: catx-00017

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers of Monsignor Oberste (1899-1983), author of works on Irish colonists in Texas, the missions at Refugio, and other locations in South Texas; parish priest at Our Lady of Refuge, Refugio, from 1933-1969. Included in the papers are correspondence, research notes, book and essay manuscripts, photostats of original and transcribed 17th and 18th century Spanish documents, and photographs. Also included are thirty-three oversize items, mainly maps and plot drawings. Material in lesser amounts includes book reviews, bulletins, clippings, ephemera, lists, printed material and speeches. Most of the material was assembled during Oberste's research for his books History of Refugio Mission (1942); Our Lady Comes to Refugio (1944); Remember Goliad (1949); Knights of Columbus in Texas, 1902-1952 (1952); Texas Irish Empresarios and Their Colonies (1953); The Restless Friar: Venerable Antonio Margil de Jesús (1970).

Dates

Creation: 1710-1982
Creation: Majority of material found within 1938-1982

Creator

Oberste, William H. (William Herman), 1899-1983 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Monsignor William Herman Oberste was born in New York City on April 17, 1899 to Joseph and Carolina Spiekenheier Oberste. He grew up in Clarksville, Arkansas, attending the Holy Redeemer school. Msgr. Oberste attended high school and college at Subiaco College-Academy, Subiaco, Arkansas, then studied theology at St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. On June 7, 1927, Msgr. Oberste was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Corpus Christi in Texas. Msgr. Oberste’s assignments included Chancellor of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, 1927-1928 and 1930-1933; Vicar General of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, 1949-1969; Pastor, St. George Church, George West, Texas, 1927-1928; Pastor, Our Lady of Refuge Church, Refugio, Texas, 1933-1969. On June 1, 1969, Msgr. Oberste retired and lived in Bayside, Texas, until his death in 1983.

Honors received:

Domestic Prelate of His Holiness Pope Pius XII, with the title of Monsignor, August 11, 1948;

Protonotary Apostolic conferred by Pope Pius XII, granting certain privileges accorded bishops, April 21, 1952;

Fourth Degree, Knights of Columbus, 1940;

Fellow, Texas State Historical Association, 1973;

Honorary member, Sons of the Republic of Texas, 1974;

Knights of San Jacinto, Sons of the Republic of Texas, 1974;

for Texas Irish Empresarios and Their Colonies, best publication on local Texas history from the Texas State Historical Association, 1975;

La Bahia Award, Sons of the Republic of Texas, 1980

Extent

6 linear feet (12 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Spanish; Castilian

Additional Description

Abstract

Separated Materials

Texas Knights of Columbus Historical Commission correspondence has been separated to the Texas Knights of Columbus Historical Commission records, 1914-1965 also at the Catholic Archives of Texas.