San Agustin Cathedral

The Honor Award for the rehabilitation of the San Agustin Cathedral in Laredo was presented at the Cathedral on January 25, 2024. The 150-year old structure was previously included on Preservation Texas’s Most Endangered Places List in 2019.

"San Agustin Cathedral is a Laredo landmark that has served as a cultural, spiritual, and architectural beacon for generations”, said Evan Thompson, Executive Director of Preservation Texas. “The investments that have been made by the Diocese will ensure that the Cathedral stands proudly for many years to come. This project is an excellent example of how the 25% state historic preservation tax credit can be used to fund the rehabilitation of historic religious structures in Texas.”

Presented every other year, Preservation Texas Honor Awards recognize outstanding efforts to restore, preserve, rehabilitate or reconstruct historic places that have been individually included on Preservation Texas's Most Endangered Places list or relate to a previous statewide thematic endangered listing. This year’s Honor Awards celebrate the remarkable efforts made by individuals, organizations, and communities to rehabilitate once imperiled historic places, breathing new life into cherished structures while honoring their historical significance and architectural integrity.

From Left to Right: Willis Winters, President, Preservation Texas; Bishop James A. Tamayo, First Bishop of Laredo; Charles John, Past President, Preservation Texas

San Agustin Church was established in 1756 with the founding of Laredo. The present building is the third on the site and was constructed in 1872. It is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and it contributes to the significance of the San Agustin de Laredo National Register Historic District. In 2000, the church was selected to serve as the Cathedral for the newly formed Diocese of Laredo. However, the structure had long been in need of repairs and adaptations to serve this new function.

In 2014, the Diocese hired the architectural firm Able City to prepare a master plan to address the building’s preservation needs and to oversee the rehabilitation. After years of planning and fundraising, J.C. Stoddard Construction was hired as the project contractor in 2016 and work got underway. Non-historic additions were removed from the interior and exterior of the Cathedral, the mechanical system was overhauled, and the five-story bell tower was structurally reinforced. In addition, the building was brought into compliance with accessibility standards and the choir loft was expanded to allow for a full Cathedral Choir. Other work included repainting, stucco and plaster repairs, and refinishing the floors throughout the building. The $9.9 million rehabilitation project was completed in 2021, and the San Agustín Cathedral will remain a unifying, community anchor and symbol of enduring faith for generations of Laredoans to come.

Project Architect: Able City

Project Contractors: Complex Contracting, Inc.; J.C. Stoddard Construction