Supplements

archived article

Holy childhood in Mascoutah celebrates 150 years of faith

Story and photos by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

At the end of its sesquicentennial year, Holy Childhood Parish in Mascoutah celebrated a closing liturgy Nov. 18 at the parish church with Bishop Edward K. Braxton celebrant and homilist.

In his homily, the bishop said it was a “great joy to be with you” as you observe “150 years of celebrating faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ.”

The bishop also thanked pastor, Msgr. Jerome Hartlein for “35 years of generous service” to the parish.

Also attending the liturgy was Sister Frances McDonagh, OSU, who ministered at Holy Childhood for 34 years in the parish’s religious education program.
Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ also served in the parish.

Native son, Father Von Deeke, was the master of ceremonies at the liturgy.

The closing liturgy was celebrated in the parish church, itself 125 years old. Although the parish was celebrating its anniversary, the bishop pointed out that “Jesus is the reason for the celebration and the existence of the Catholic church.
In the early days, priests came to the area to celebrate Mass in the homes of local Catholics until 1857 when the first church was built.

Father Francis Bloesinger became Holy Childhood’s first resident pastor in 1857 with Father Henry Frohboese following one year later as its second pastor.

Under different pastors, a rectory and school were completed. In 1884, land was purchased for what continues to be the parish cemetery adjacent to the city’s cemetery.

The parish continued to grow and by 1879, 130 families called Holy Childhood home. It became necessary to talk about construction of a new church. The new, and present, church was dedicated in 1882.

Built in the Gothic style of architecture at a cost of $24,305.65, it has a main and two side altars. In 1891 three bells were installed and consecrated with what was described as a “huge crowd” filling the streets around the church to witness the event.

Bishop John Janssen, Belleville’s bishop, rode the train to Mascoutah for the event, and, according to the church history, a band led a procession of people “to the depot on South Railway St. at the L&N railroad tracks to receive” the bishop. “Three cheers from the crowd greeted the bishop when he alighted from the train.”

In 1960, then pastor Msgr. Ferdinand Weyrich, the parish’s eighth pastor, undertook major renovations of the church, replacing pews and the Communion railing. Other improvements were made to the church, and Msgr. Weyrich, a native of Ottweiler, Germany, brought hand-carved wooden Stations of the Cross back from his native country after a trip to Europe. After Msgr. Weyrich retired, Father August Giesen was appointed pastor of the parish. He ministered to the people for the next 10 years.

The present pastor, Msgr. Hartlein, arrived in July 1972. Under Msgr. Hartlein, a working parish council was established, and the laity began to become more involved in the life of the parish.

Msgr. Hartlein encouraged not only improvements to buildings and grounds at the parish but to the spiritual growth of parishioners as well.

He became active in the city’s ministerial alliance and promoted ecumenical cooperation among the various denominations in Mascoutah, which he continues to this day.