The history of St. Anthony’s Parish, Dalhart, like that of many parishes in the diocese, was closely interwoven with the lives of the pioneer Catholics settling within the community.  The Church’s influence in the community was already becoming deeply rooted in the community with many Catholic activities already started through the first Catholics families within the community.   In its first years, the parish continued to grow in numbers and in faith.  The Gibbons Literary Club, a women’s study club, and a Knights of Columbus Council evidenced the array of activities in the community.  Masses were celebrated in the homes of the local faithful by visiting priests who rode the trains to Dalhart from the Fort Worth area. 
 
In 1904 two lots for a church were donated by the Dalhart Townsite Company and in July 1905, under the direction of Father David Dunn of Amarillo the church was completed and named in honor of St. Anthony.   In 1906, an adjoining lot was purchased with the $250 that was donated by the Catholic Church Extension Society.     
 
By 1907 St. Anthony’s Catholic Church had a new church building, an apartment for the resident priest, $450 in the bank and a membership of nearly 200 parishioners. 
 
The first priests to live in the area and to minister to Catholics were Father Patrick Kelly and Father Patrick Murphy.  These priests were also assigned to tend to the needs of the faithful throughout most of the territory north of the Canadian River, including St. Mary’s in Perico near Texline, TX., St. Barnaby’s in Tascosa, TX., St. Patrick’s in Ochiltree, TX., and St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus in Channing. 
 
On February 6, 1930, a block of land was purchased; the present church property.  In 1948, two buildings were purchased for a total of $2,609.50 from the east base of the Dalhart Army Airfield.  The first building was a former officer’s barracks and was made into the church, present today.  The other barracks were cut in two, and the two halves were placed at right angles, with the center portion filled in which became the school.  The church building was brick veneered and the school building was layered with stucco.  The rectory was moved from the old location and an office was added.  The total cost of moving the buildings and finishing them inside and out was $33,611.41.  This purchase expanded the church plus added space for a Catholic school.  The new church, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church was dedicated on the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua on June 13, 1949.   
 
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church facilities have experienced several expansion and beautification projects over the years which included a new parish hall that was constructed by its parishioners in 1979.  In 1990 stained-glass windows added to the church’s beauty and in 1997 the rectory was renovated.  In 2000 the San Antonio room was added, along with more restrooms.  This addition connected the parish office and the rectory to the church. 
 
In 2008 the Sowing and Growing campaign was implemented to address the needs and growth of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and the school.  These needs lead us to search for a more fluid and connected campus and church.  
 
A building committee was formed after extensive consultation with members of our parish, leadership councils, outside consultants, and after many prayers, a master facility plan was designed, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in October, 2009 and construction to remodel the church and school quickly began. 

Construction at the site peaked the interest of area residents who often stopped near the construction site to watch the work that was taking place; a new parish life center was built; the old parish hall became part of the school and the old rectory and garage were moved to a new location several blocks away.  After nearly 2 years when construction began, a dedication ceremony for the new facility was held on September 10, 2011.   
 
This beautiful project, costing $5,414,672, was financed and paid for through generous pledges and donations as well as the time, toil and talent of so many hardworking members of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.  The debt for the facility was fully paid for at the end of 2014, which is a true testament to those beautiful words found in 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Sow bountifully, and you will reap bountifully.”  
 
On March 21, 2013 St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church expanded further by purchasing the Presbyterian Church, located across the street for $245,000.  This purchase was made possible through the generous donations of the parishioners.  The Presbyterian Church had served the Dalhart community for 114 years, and because of this purchase, it enabled this facility to continue to serve the faithful community in a new and exciting way. 
 
This new facility and it’s convenient location made it possible for the Knights of Columbus to enjoy a home, it provided the kindergarten through fifth grades with a dedicated space for catechism on Wednesday nights and the sanctuary is used as a multi-purpose space that will offer a comfortable and inviting place for various church activities. 
 
From its beginning in 1905 with 25 families to approximately 410 families today, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is not just a building on a street, but a living, growing, praying community of faith-filled people who are proud of their past, thankful for their present blessings and committed to sharing Jesus Christ alive in the Catholic community in Dallam and Hartley counties today and long into the future.