McFaddin-Ward House Museum Jan. 15 Lecture to Highlight Beaumont’s Historic St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica

Beaumont, TX; Dec. 29, 2025 – The McFaddin-Ward House Museum will present “Beyond Belief: The Transformation of Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica,” a free public lecture by Russell “Rusty” Chimeno on Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Visitor Center Lecture Hall (1906 Calder Avenue, Beaumont).

Chimeno, lead docent tour guide at Beaumont’s iconic Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica, will explore St. Anthony’s multi-million-dollar restoration which enhanced the breathtaking beauty of the treasured Texas historic landmark.

Completed in 1907 to serve the rapidly growing Beaumont community, St. Anthony was proclaimed a Minor Basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 in recognition of its historical and architectural significance. Chimeno’s lecture will cover St. Anthony’s history, architectural features, artwork, and the renovation process.

“St. Anthony has stood as a symbol of faith in the community for over a century,” Chimeno said. “It serves Southeast Texas as a center of spirituality, culture, and the sacred arts. The iconic dome and the triumphal arches are distinctive features, and the vibrant colors and intricate details animate the sacred space with colorful light. The materials used are no longer readily available, and the craftsmanship employed is only replicated by artisans.”

Chimeno is a longtime parishioner at St. Anthony, where he attended the parish school as a child and served on the staff in the 1990s. During his 13-year tenure as chief financial officer of the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, Chimeno oversaw the financial aspect of St. Anthony’s repairs and renovations. Today, he serves St. Anthony as lead docent, sharing the history and symbolism of the Cathedral Basilica with visitors from across the world.

“As a docent, I enjoy journeying with visitors, particularly sharing hidden details and stories only available through guided tours,” Chimeno said. “I hope visitors walk away with a sense of awe and a deeper appreciation and understanding of [St. Anthony’s] cultural and religious significance to the area. I hope people are moved by the beauty and symbolism; the scale alone is moving. I hope they feel a sense of discovery, and that the physical experience sparks imagination in bringing history to life.”

In 2022, Chimeno, who holds a master’s degree in business administration, retired as firm administrator for Mehaffy Weber, P.C. after 14 years of service. His vast community involvement has included board positions for SETX Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs, Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Beaumont, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Some Other Place, and Lamar University Friends of the Arts.

McFaddin-Ward House Museum lectures are admission free and open to the public, but space is limited. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, call 409-832-2134.

For those unable to attend, the full lecture will be available for viewing on the museum YouTube Channel (youtube.com/@mcfaddinwardhouse), Facebook (facebook.com/McFaddinWardHouse), and website (mcfaddin-ward.org/about/videos) after the event.

Completed in 1906, the McFaddin-Ward House is a fully restored Beaux-Arts Colonial-style mansion and historic landmark in Beaumont, Texas, that offers a vivid glimpse into the lives of the prominent McFaddin family and their enduring contributions to the economic, social, and cultural history of the region. The museum offers admission-free tours of the historic home, carriage house, and gardens, as well as educational programming and year-round events.