[PICTURES]
From Panna Maria settlements grew to include Czestochowa, Kosciusko, and others. By 1909 more land was needed for the growing communities and so in July 1909, Henry Czerner, John Krol and Matt Labus set out from Panna Maria in search of land to the north. They were joined in Munday, Texas by Ben Urbanczyk.
Favorable results were found with the White Deer Land Company on the land north of the small town of White Deer. Crispin Czerner, the father of Henry Czerner, on hearing the favorable reports, sold his land in Panna Maria and moved to White Deer in 1909, becoming the first Polish settler in Carson County. The second family to moce to White Deer was the John Urbanczyk family who moved from Munday, Texas in September, 1910. In October of 1910, the Vincent Haiduks, Demas Bednorz, and Jacob Tulejas come from Panna Maria, ollowed in December 1910 by the William Gordzeliks from Wisconsin. In 1911, the Sam Bednorz family came from Stockdale, Texas and the Ben and Felix Urbanczyk families from Munday, Texas. In 1912 the Joh Kotara family moved from Czestohowa, Texas and teh L.T. Urbanczyks from Koscuisko, Texas. The John Warminski family came from PeEll, Washington in 1913 followed by the Jerome Rapstines from California in 1914. In 191 the Charles Kalka family came from Mclean, Texas and teh Theodor Mazurchs from Bandera, Texas. In 1916 the Edmond Jendrush and Ed Kotaras moved from South Texas.
On November 21, 1919, Father C.J. Bier of Amarillo came by train to Kingsmill and was taken by Mr. Ed Czerner to the home of the John Urbanczyks. The next day, the first Mass of the colony was offerend in the John Urbanczyk home. From that time until May, 30, 1913 Mass was celebrated about once each month at different homes. Each Sunday settlers assembled, usually at the home of Vincent Haiduk, for prayers and to hear the reading of the Epistle and Gospel of the Sunday; Mr. Edward Czerner being appointed to do the reading and lead the prayers.
The first High Mass was sung by Father Bier at the Vincent Haiduk home on April 17, 1911.
Four children made their First Communion at the Crispin Czerner home on June 29, 1912. After Mass, on that same day, a meeting was held and a committe of five was appointed to begin rasing funds and making arragements for the building of a church. The committee consisted of Edward Czerner, Vincent Haiduk, E.N. Czerner, John Urbanczyk, and Ben Urbanczyk
The first Mass celebrated in the new church was a solemn high Mass sung by Father Bier on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, May 30, 1913. At a meeting held July 6, 1913, Mr. Ben Haiduk was appointed choir master, Mr. E.N. Czerner, sacristan and Mr. John Kotara, "Marshal".
The community was served by priests from Amarillo or Saint Francis until July 9, 1927. That year an eight room rectory was built and Fatehr M. French was appointed resident pastor.
By that time non Poles had moved to White Deer and become inegral part of the parish. The George H. Peters family came in 1929 and the Minguel Lopez family in 1929.
This history was condensed by Eric Haiduk from the book "Roots of Faith"