Successful fundraiser extends legacy for Polly’s Chapel
Margi Duncan-Robertson, Board Member of Polly Texas Pioneer Association, spoke briefly inside the renovated Polly’s Chapel. BULLETIN PHOTO/Vicki L George
Rudi Rodriguez, Vice Chairman of Polly Texas Pioneer Association, points out the most recent renovations in Polly’s Chapel. BULLETIN PHOTO/Vicki L. George
Vivian Cantu, Treasurer of Polly Texas Pioneer Association, spoke to raising funds for their next project. BULLETIN PHOTO/Vicki L George
James Herrera, Rhonda Phillips and Sal Hernandez are descendants of Polly and friends of the chapel. BULLETIN PHOTO/Vicki L George
The Polly Texas Pioneer Association held their annual Hill Country Homecoming fundraiser May 6 on the grounds of Polly’s Chapel, located at 359 Polly’s Chapel Road, off Privilege Creek Road, between Pipe Creek and Bandera.
After a presentation about the life of Rev. Jose Policarpio Rodriquez, known as Polly, Rudi Rodriguez guided a tour of the chapel.
Rodriguez is a descendant of Polly and the Vice Chairmen of the association. He pointed out the windows, the pews, and the color of the chapel walls.
The chapel was built by Polly in 1882 and Polly preached there as a Methodist minister.
“I can’t say enough of the wonderful expertise of Bob Reeves, the local carpenter who replaced these windows,” Rodriguez said.
Reeves was meticulous about reproducing the original windows, making them fit exactly.
Rodriguez pointed out, when stripping the old paint off the walls, they uncovered the original paint and were able to match the beige color exactly.
Then Rodriguez told the story of the new pews. The parents of a couple who were married in the chapel had them made to fit and donated them.
Board member Margi Duncan- Robertson spoke and explained the purpose and mission of the Polly Texas Pioneer Association is to raise the funds necessary to preserve and maintain the chapel, as well as the Polly Schoolhouse and the Polly Cemetery.
Vivian Cantu, Treasurer of the association, spoke and said the organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit.
Their next project is replacing the windows of the Polly Schoolhouse. They welcome participation and donations.
Several other descendants of Polly were present.
James Herrera, a grandson of Polly, lives in the Valley now but grew up in Polly, Texas and attended Polly School.
A graduate of Bandera High School, he remembers helping his father and other men digging graves in Polly Cemetery and is now an Honorary Director in the association.
Rhonda Phillips is also a descendant of Polly, who now lives in the Valley.
Sal Hernandez is a Steward and maintains the property and grounds.
Polly Texas Pioneer Association welcomes new members and seeks donations. They seek to preserve the legacy Polly left behind, never forgetting our Texas history.
To learn more, go to the website, pollytexaspioneerassociation. org or call Vivian Cantu at 210-892-0135.