The history of St. Anthony's Parish began when Mass was celebrated for the first time in Danbury at the home of Thomas Walker in 1911 by Fr. George Montreuil. Originally a mission of Bay City, Danbury became a mission of St. Mary's Freeport in 1926. There were about seventy Catholic families in Danbury at that time. They decided to build a church which they planned to name in honor of St. Anthony de Padua to whom they had a great devotion.

In 1930, a school building was given, renovated and consecrated as the first Church of St. Anthony; two years later it was demolished by a hurricane. A second Church was built the same year, but it was destroyed by fire in October, 1944. The Danbury Rice Warehouse was then used as an interim church; plans were soon begun for a third Church which was completed and dedicated in 1949; it remains the parish Church
today.

Father Frank Dobias was the first resident pastor [1945 to 1956]. Subsequent pastors included Father Henry Schroeder [1956-1963], Father Jack Jones [1963-1964], Father Francis Klass [1964-1970], Monsignor John Cummings [1970-1974], Father Anthony Orlando [1974 - 1987], Father John Connelly [1987], Father Joseph Kalladan [1987-1989], Father William Oliver [1989 - 1997] and Monsignor Boleslaus Zientek [1997-2001];
Father William T. Kelly [2001-2008], Father Phi Nguyen [2008-2009], Father David Harris [2009-2010], and Father Josepgh Phiet-The-Nguyen who has been serving since May of 2010.

In 1978, Rev. Mr. Gerald Peltier, a son of the parish, was ordained a permanent deacon in St. Anthony's Church; retired from active ministry, he still serves the parish well.

Early in its history, the parish established St. Anthony's Cemetery. The Parish Hall was completed in 1964 and renovated in 2006. A rectory was built in 1968; it now serves as the Parish Offices. The parish Education Building was completed in 1978. In 1982, the parish purchased the home of the late Mr. and Mrs. Roy J. Peltier as the convent for the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Victoria, Texas who served
in the parish. In 1997, this home became the present rectory. A storage building was completed in 2007 and plans are currently being made for an annex to the education building which will include a youth room.

St. Anthony's congregation includes a potpourri of nationalities including Czech, French, German, Mexican Americans and others. The parish history demonstrates the strong faith of the Catholics in Danbury. Even the destruction of two churches did not crush their faith. With a deep confidence in God's grace, they rebuilt and continued forward. Their example stands as a challenge to this parish as it now moves ahead in the twenty-first century.

May St. Anthony continue to intercede for the good people of Danbury!