Texas Centennial
Although the Commission acknowledged they were unable to complete their publications prior to 1936, they sought alternatives to celebrate the Texas Centennial. Meanwhile, the Texas Legislature organized secular Texas Centennial celebrations to boost local economic growth to combat financial difficulties faced by Texans during the Great Depression. Texas cities competed to host the five-month run of the Texas Centennial Exposition, a fair to showcase Texas history and culture modeled as a mini–World’s Fair. While Dallas was selected as the site for the Texas Centennial Exposition, other celebrations were hosted across the state.
In Dallas, a Catholic exhibit for the Texas Centennial Exposition was organized by Father Joseph G. O'Donohoe, Commission member, Diocese of Dallas priest, and diocesan historian.
O'Donohoe collected items for the exhibit from religious groups across the state. The Catholic exhibit represented the "noble and charitable works" of religious between 1836-1936. The display included a showcase of parochial schools, orphanages, and health care facilities.
The exterior of the exhibit hall was a replica of the San Miguel de Socorro mission in El Paso. At the exhibition’s conclusion, the building was converted into St. Anthony's Church in Dallas. Today, the building remains and the parish continues to serve an African American congregation in South Dallas' Queen City Historic District.
During the exposition, a special Centennial Mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph Patrick Lynch of Dallas for the expostion's "Catholic Day." Music for the Mass was composed by William Marsh, an organist at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Fort Worth, remembered for composing the state song, "Texas, Our Texas." Marsh also composed the Catholic hymn, "Faith of Our Fathers," with lyrics written by the future bishop of the Diocese of Galveston, Wendelin Nold.
The "Catholic Day" Mass was held on Columbus Day 1936 in honor of the Franciscan missionary, the Venerable Antonio Margil de Jesus. About 20,000 attended the Catholic Day Mass held at Fair Park Stadium (now the Cotton Bowl Stadium).
In addition to the fair held in Dallas, the state of Texas also designated funds to erect monuments. Historical markers were placed across Texas counties with approval by a board overseen by Foik, J. Frank Dobie, and Louis Wiltz Kemp.
At the San Jacinto Battleground, the world's tallest masonry column was erected as a monument to honor the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. On April 21, 1936 (San Jacinto Day), a Field Mass was celebrated with about 100,000 attendees.