Windthorst, a small German-Catholic dairy farming community, is located 25 miles south of Wichita Falls and about 100 miles northwest of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. St. Mary's Catholic Church, pictured above, was established in 1892 and today serves as a backbone for the community with about 1000 members.

The present church, the third one built to replace two others that were destroyed by fires, was dedicated in 1925 and stands today at the highest point in Archer County. It was declared an historical marker in 1975.


Inside St. Mary's



The Grotto was built after World War II and serves as a memorial to all war veterans from Windthorst.



The first church building was completed in early 1893, but burned on January 3, 1894.



The second church was completed later in 1894. Tragedy struck again on May 2, 1924 when this church also burned.



About 100 dairy farms dot the Windthorst area. Thousands of black and white Holstein cows keep many families in this small town very busy. Days typically begin long before dawn and often end after dark.

The City of Windthorst was incorporated in 1969. Today, about 400 people live inside the city limits, but most who call Windthorst home dwell outside the green signs that greet visitors into town.




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