Stella Maris Chapel


Over 150 years old, this small Catholic chapel was the first church built in Aransas county when completed in 1858. Originally constructed fronting Aransas Bay, the entire shellcrete structure was relocated here in 1986. The Lamar cemetery next door holds graves dating back to the 1700s.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Goose Island State Park

0.96 MILES

This small park focuses on marshy, 140-acre Goose Island, on the edge of Aransas Bay. It's a sweet 2-mile drive east of little Lamar, itself 12 miles…

2. Fulton Mansion State Historical Park

6.53 MILES

This imposing 1870s mansion comes as a surprise amid other more modern – and modest – shorefront buildings. It was built by George Fulton, who was clever…

3. Texas Maritime Museum

8.84 MILES

Everything from fishing boats to offshore oil rigs, to the story of the short-lived Texas Navy is covered at this large museum on the harbor. Displays…

4. Rockport Harbor

8.92 MILES

Crescent-shaped Rockport Harbor is one of the prettiest on the Gulf Coast. It's lined with all manner of boats (shrimp, fishing charter, tour and pleasure…

5. Aquarium at Rockport Harbor

8.93 MILES

This tiny volunteer-run aquarium has crabs and other local sea critters, including most of the fish avidly sought by local fishers. In nice weather you'll…

6. Rockport Center for the Arts

9.1 MILES

Pop into this cheery center to see what's going on with Rockport's lively arts scene. As well as offering painting classes, it displays and sells locally…

7. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

16.01 MILES

For birdwatchers, this 115,000-acre refuge is the premier site on the Texas coast. Although only 15 whooping cranes remained in the wild in 1941, more…

8. Lighthouse Lakes Park

19.89 MILES

This otherwise unremarkable city park is the most accessible put-in and take-out point for the Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail.