Lovely Church. Nice neighborhood. Their school is next door and a large city park at end of the long block. We had grandchild's birthday party there after church. Nice Parish Community. read more

I would really love to say I had an excellent experience at this church, however I can't help but feel disappointed. This is one of the most beautiful parishes I have seen in the entire archdiocese, its art and stained glass are truly stunning. At the same time though, and despite the beauty, I can't help feeling that this church deserves better. The Mass I went to was severely lacking. Lacking in respect and reverence that the Catholic Church crucially needs. I will give some credit, the music is good and I loved the use of the organ. Outside of that though things just felt empty. When I went I saw altar girls, a mini army of Eucharistic ministers, a no reverence what so all for the tabernacle or the blessed sacrament. On top of that there were modern elements to the physical church that took me out a bit. One was the altar that seemed so small that it barely fit everything on it, and appeared more like a casual living room table rather than the alter for the blessed Eucharist. To put it frank, it seemed like no one cared, not even the priest really. Of course I doubt this is true but it just felt hollow. This was also the only parish where I felt like I was being judged by the priest for receiving on the tongue. Again I pray that this isn't true. Overall I pray for the priests and parishioners of St. Anne's. These people have been blessed with a beautiful church and I pray that one day soon the liturgy may equal that beauty. read more

The staff are moody and the way they treat others is crazy, especially for a church. Overall the church isn't great.

This community is always with open arms!! I enjoy St Anne's community, they are together from deferents places, language and cultures!! They have bilingual masses and a lot of activities!! I heard is run by the Basilian fathers!! read more

Went to 11 AM mass. All pews were filled and only standing space was left. There were not any photographs showcasing the inside of the church on here, so I took a few to post. read more

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I noticed most of the reviews on here are wedding related. I can't speak on that as I did not have my wedding here but what I can speak on is the actual church. I moved to the area 2 years ago and became part of the parish earlier this year. The parish is so great to be a part of. They offer so many different ministries to be part of. And they hold several events and retreats to meet other parishioners. Though my husband and I haven't had a chance to participate in any yet we plan to very soon. Every time I come into this church I feel so peaceful. The mass is always so beautiful and Father Walsh is wonderful. I highly recommend to be part of this parish. They are so welcoming here. read more

St. Anne Catholic Community - Front of church - Churches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Let me start by saying that I came here for a wedding, and I am Catholic, so I knew what to expect. If you're considering having your wedding here, this review is for you. I was a bit put off by the location. Downtown Houston is not ideal, especially if you're not from the area. However, we arrived ten minutes early for the ceremony, and we were able to park in the semi-circle drive right in front of the church. I never saw a parking lot, so I guess it was lucky there was room right there! Walking in, we could tell the church was pretty big and spacious. I have two kids under the age of four, so I immediately went to look for a cry room. There was none that I could see. So I nervously sat in a back row with them, hoping they wouldn't embarrass me. (All went well as far as that went.) The musicians, the organ player and the vocalist, were amazing. I about had an emotional breakdown upon the opening of Ave Maria, it was so good. Priest was good too. He kept the Homily short and sweet, and the Mass was over in less than an hour. (That never happens in Catholic weddings, you guys!) After the ceremony, we needed to find a restroom for diaper change. It's in a completely separate building. The changing table is in a common anteroom outside the restrooms, so everyone standing in line to use the toilets, men and women, got to see my 2-year-olds giblets. It didn't bother me, but it's worth mentioning. The line to the restrooms were pretty long, and I realized there's only one toilet in each. Anyway, in short, this church is nice, but maybe not as family-friendly as I would have liked. Still, the wedding was gorgeous, priest did a great job, musicians were fantastic, and really that's all that matters in a wedding. read more

While I love the 10 and 11 am Mass I prefer the 7 pm Spanish Mass as there is generally more parking, a great welcoming community, and the priest there does a good job of calling out the congregants and balancing it with optimism. "I know you weren't paying attention to my sermon. But you always laugh at my jokes." That was a poor paraphrase of his Spanish quote, but if you're fluent in Spanish, he actually is quite funny. The young adult group there is massive and there are so many members. I met some of my best friends there, but stopped going to events long ago as I moved on to other Young Adult groups in the area. The church is also beautiful. While I have been to a wedding here, I wouldn't recommend getting married here based on one of my friend's experiences. I feel the staff should be more welcoming, even if they are strict. There's another church downtown that will only marry parishioners, which is fine, but the priest was direct but honest. The wedding coordinator, I was told, was rude. You can be direct, but you shouldn't be rude as it makes the rest of the church staff look bad-that's what I think at least. If you ever make it to a 7 pm mass, say hi, just watch the community. While, it's not my preferred parish, for Spanish masses, this is one of the better ones in town thanks to the priest and faithful. If it wasn't for their great Spanish mass, I'd probably avoid St. Annes as it's so hard to find seating and parking here Sunday morning. read more

This place is s fine church, but after speaking to the wedding coordinator for about ten minutes, I am 100 % sure I don't want to get married here. Heck, I don't want to be a member of this church, and if I ever do have children I wouldn't want them to go to their school. I understand that they get a lot of requests for weddings, especially from non-members, but when someone calls just to ask for availability, you don't bombard them with a million reasons why they are not "worthy" of being married in your church. I am not the most Catholic person ever, but as far as I know, marriage is a Sacrament, and it should be treated with respect, not as a money-making scheme, in which you treat people who want to be married like cattle. I hadn't read the reviews from other people, but I totally believe Danielle S. Beware of the wedding nazi! read more

So I practically live at St. Anne's, between teaching Catechism, being Spiritual Chair for the Young Adults group, and several other ministries. Joining Saint Anne's changed my life. I made friends and family for life. I read the other review below and know MANY friends who have gotten married here and also understand all those rules they make for weddings. First off, it's a church and weddings aren't the only thing the church is for (although some people who join the church just to get married and nothing more don't seem to understand that.) It's mandatory to lock up the rooms since people go in off the streets and steal things. Also, church is a place of worship and walking up to the altar for fun isn't respecting the Holy Sacrament. Everyone I know who got married here (which is about 15 couples, around) loved the experience. Also, weddings happen on Saturdays generally and the Sacrament of Reconciliation happens at 4PM, so when they are "rushing things along" it's usually for the community to celebrate a scheduled Sacrament. Sorry to be slightly defensive of St. Anne's, to me it is home. Also, the wedding "nazi" as she was referred to is a very sweet person, she has a lot on her plate and has to juggle many different schedules and ministries and has a schedule she has to abide by as well. If you want a big community and loving friends, come along! I highly suggest the Saint Anne's Young Adults group, full of sports, service, social, and spiritual events! If you have questions, the office is always more than willing to help and make sure you belong and feel welcome. I have been to tons of churches in my lifetime and none of them compare to the warmness of Saint Anne's!!! read more

Overall, a pretty good parish. My wife and I did our premarriage course there, and it was well run and useful. The lady who organized it, Joan O'Leary was very supportive and does great work. The priests I have interacted with there are good guys too. However, this is a parish where "treasure" is important. There is also a distinct arrogance that the systems they have in place, the bureaucracy if you will, is the way it should be and the way it is done at every Catholic parish all over the world. If you can get beyond the lay-run bureaucracy and snobbishness, and concentrate on the important things about being a catholic, the mass etc., its a good place. Being a Catholic, I was thought to forgive, and I have done so with regards to the parish secretary. To help get my son baptized, I was essentially blackmailed by this person in order to get a letter from the parish so my baby son could be baptized at my parents parish in a different state. Despite the fact that we took (and paid a decent size fee) for the premarriage course, the parish "deactivated us" while we were par taking the course!!!. Despite me correcting it twice, they continued to send the donation envelopes to the wrong address, AND, because i donate in cash on sundays and DO NOT AGREE with taking a tax benefit from it and do not see why tax payers should subsidize my religion. Here is the email from the parish secretary (minus names): "The letter wouldn't be a problem, except at this time you are on inactive status in our parish. My notes tell me that you were "de-activated" in May of 2009 because your offering envelopes were being returned to us with no forwarding address and no contact from you as to your new address or your status in the parish. If you will give me your new address, I will reinstate you, with the expectation that you will become more active in the parish as regards your stewardship of time, talent, and treasure. Then we will do the letter for you. As for baptism classes, they have been advertised in the Sunday bulletin the past few Sundays. They will be held on February 20 and 27. To register, you should contact &*()@saintanne.org." read more

I'm currently going through the process of planning a wedding and getting married at Saint Anne's, and for full disclosure, we have been members of the church for a couple of years now. What people may not realize is that this church gets bombarded with requests from people wanting to get married there This is why they request somebody become a member of the church for at least 6 months. The wedding coordinator, Joan, has been doing this for many years and she has a specific way of doing things and she was very upfront (and btw never rude or disrespectful) about all the requirements. Actually they are very strict with the requirements for music selection and bringing a soloist to perform, and they have a great music workshop to help couples through the process. If a soloist is not able to properly perform the music on the day of, they will not be allowed to perform. And they're very upfront about it as well. If a couple doesn't properly inform their photographer/ videographer/soloist about the requirements, that's on the couple for not doing their homework/due diligence, not on the coordinator or the church. If you understand the requirements and follow them accordingly you will have a great experience. read more

My mom was a parishner in the 1950s. St. Anne's has been a great parish for a very long time. The Basilian priests do a very fine job. The architecture etc. of the Church is decidedly pre-Vatican II. Wonderful place for worship. I just attended the 5pm Sunday night mass. Traditional organ music. Beautiful church. Great ceremony. Wonderful priest. Everyone was singing. I loved it. I did arrive early and I think that is good advice. Even for a 5pm Mass -- the Church really filled up. I was surprised. I arrived 12 minutes early and was in great shape. But given how popular St. Anne's is -- I would not cut it close given parking, etc. Arrive early and you will be less stressed and able to enjoy the Mass more. read more

Never has anyone, Catholic or not, felt more welcome and at peace than at St. Anne's Catholic Community. Blessed are those who can experience St. Anne's. read more

I was baptized here, was an altar boy here, went to school here, and now about to baptize my son here, so , yeah, I love the place!

This church is very special to me. I attended here for over a year,before moving. The members are all very kind. I love their events and fundraisers. My kids always love to go to their annual Fall Fiesta, every October. Full of games,food,rides. Great fun for the family,always at Saint Annes! read more

Alvin, do you know the cost to get married at St Anne? I'm actually looking into this church, not only because it is beautiful but I think this is the church where I want to take my children (when I do have them) and also because this is where I want to tie the knot. I know the church is in the River Oaks area but I was just wondering if anybody knew the price? Help anybody... or does it depend on how long you have been a member? read more

Let me say something about wedding coordinators.................I have been one now for some 10 years at a large Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. I have read some of the reviews here regarding the Wedding Coordinators at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Houston, Texas. Please do not sell them short. They are only carrying out the guidelines of the church that some brides, not all, do not read. They do not mean to be short or abrasive. Some brides bring over outside wedding coordinators that "step in" and speak for the bride. It is understandable that the bride has been dreaming about this day and wants it to be a wonderful experience. So do the wedding coordinators at the Church. They want your wedding to go well and they are trained to do it that way..............Sometimes you just don't understand their reasoning but trust me, it works. They have a lot to coordinate before the wedding to make it flow as smoothly as possible. This also pertains to photographers.................Some are great and really respect the guidelines of the Church................the others look at you with their eyes glazed over and wish you would quit talking because they came to do a job and they want to make money with no respect for the Church or the Priest and/or Deacon..............I have pulled many photographers back and they were surprised...........I've never had a photographer tell me to "go jump in the lake" but you can bet I would have gone to the Pastor of the Church after the wedding and let him deal with the photographer.....................The Wedding Coordinators for the church are there to help you and make this day run as smoothly and beautiful as possible. They are not there to sabotage your day! Please listen to them and cut them some slack. They are probably working under a deadline but still want your ceremony to go well. And let me just add that not all of us get paid.....most people think that we come with the church.........We do this job because we care! Think about it the next time you book a wedding....................A simple Thank You goes a long way! read more

i attended a wedding here and like most Catholic churches, it was beautiful inside! the bride's room was spacious and comfortable. the coordinator was not your typical coordinator- she was not very gentle and honestly, she was very blunt and candid. however, she is quite organized and keeps you focused. unfortunately the location is not in a strategic location- it is at the corner of westheimer and shepherd, one of the most chaotic intersections in houston! read more

OMG--This is so true!!! My fiance and I were hitting a little road block with our marital prep classes at his church, so we decided to start over at a new church. I called Catholic Churches around Houston about becoming members and their wedding process. My co-worker had warned me about St. Anne. She is a member and told me that this church is so popular, people are standing in line to get in b/c this church is the idea place to get married. She gave me a heads up that they are snobbish and b/c it's River Oaks--they don't "need" anymore new members. Well, I experienced this first hand, so here goes....... I contacted St. Anne and asked for the "Wedding Coordinator". She was not in and advised to call back at 3:30 pm. So, I call back and she gets on the line. I asked her if I could have a moment of her time to answer a few questions and she was like --"I guess"?? What is that? I then proceeded to tell her that I'm engaged and that we are looking to become members of the church and wanted to know about the process for having a wedding there. She cuts me right off and says, "Well, where do you live"? I told her my fiance lives around the Galleria area. She then tells me, well you don't belong to this church--you need to go to St. Michael. I stated, "We are looking to move either Downtown, Midtown, or Washington/Heights area, but still not sure. We wanted to join a church once and not twice". She then says, "Well if you are moving to the Heights you need to go to All Saints, Downtown you belong to Sacred Heart, and Midtown you belong to Holy Rosary". You don't belong to St. Anne because you do not live within the boundaries of this church! She then tells me about how each church belongs to certain boundaries and that you should try to be members at a church near your house. So, I questioned her--"So are you telling me we can't become members"? She states, "You can become a member, but since you don't live within the boundaries of the church - you have to be a member at least 1 year before I even start talking to you about getting married". And then adds, "Not anytime before that". I thanked her for her time and was just appalled by her blunt rudeness! I mean seriously rude--you know that kind of rudeness you get when someone hates their job rude or when she answered the question too many times. After all, she is the "Wedding Coordinator" and the website states to call her. I hung up and was so furious that a church going woman was so rude and she works there. I'm a pretty easy going person and I generally let something like this roll off of me, but she was so rude---I can still replay the entire conversation in my head!!!! I told my co-worker about my terrible experience and she asked if I wanted to e-mail the pastor b/c she has his e-mail address. I really wanted to, but I dropped it and now I'm here to Yelp about it. I'm trying to become a new member and she is rubbing me the wrong way. My co-worker then tells me she saw the woman at church on Sunday and the same lady --the "Wedding Coordinator" is also the "New Member Greeter" . No, way--this rude lady greets new members? I guess she has to weed out people to join this church since the demand is great. I would not even give this church my time or money. All I can say is good luck potential "new members" and new engaged couples! read more

I have been a parishioner of St. Anne Catholic Community for about three years. I also just had my wedding this month. Everyone here is fantastic from the priests to the volunteers. My husband and I did the premarital workshops. Joan is fantastic and will go above and beyond to help you. Fr. Sinasac is fantastic as well as the wedding coordinators, cantor, and organist. I had the wedding of my dreams because everyone at St. Anne is an amazing person. read more