|
|
ST. FRANCIS'
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, of Teutopolis, which was formerly known as St. Peter's, is one of the largest and most elegantly
furnished churches in the State. The house of worship, which is of brick, was erected in 1850, and was consecrated
by the Rt. Rev. Henry D. Junker, First Bishop of the Diocese of Alton. An addition to the sanctuary was built in
1872.
Many
congregations have been taken from that at Teutopolis, namely: Effingham (at that time called Broughton) in 1859,
Bishop in 1864, Sigel and Neoga in 1856, Lillyville in 1877, Island Grove in 1874 and Montrose in 1879. The pastors
were secular priests until 1858, at which time the Franciscan Fathers took charge. The first pastor of that order
was Rev. Damian Hennewig, who was succeeded by Rev. Mathias Hiltermann, Rev. Gerard Becker, Rev. Damasus, Rev.
Dominicus, Rev. Paulus Teroerde, and Rev. Seraphinus Lampe, who served from January, 1887, until August, 1888,
when Father Paulus Teroerde returned, and has since been rector of the church and guardian of the convent of St.
Francis. The present Board of Trustees are, J. H. Weber, John Runde, John Adam, and John Vormer. The present congregation
embraces about two hundred and forty German families, and about ten Irish families. About two hundred and fifty
children are attending the schools and receiving religious instruction.
There
are six schools in the parish of St. Francis, four in the village and two in the country. Three of the village
schools are taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame, and are held in the convent building. Their pupils are the girls
and smaller boys. The fourth village school is a fine brick structure adjacent to the church, where the larger
boys attend, and which is taught by a male teacher, Louis Rieg, who is also organist in the church. The two country
schools are taught by Catholic young ladies, Miss Rose Gardenine and Miss Annie Mulvaney. All are district schools
and are conducted under the State law.
The
value of the church and furniture is about $25,000. The school for the larger boys cost about $5,000, and the others
conducted by the sisters about $14,000. All are the property of the church. Those in the country were built by
the districts. The directors of the schools are all Catholics, and the attendance almost exclusively from Catholic
families.
Various
societies connected with the church include St. Peter's Sodality for married men, with one hundred and fifty members;
St. Mary's Mother Society, two hundred members; St John's Sodality for young men, seventy members; St. Rose Sodality
for young ladies, sixty members; and the Third Order of St. Francis, which is composed of lay members and which
has a membership of eighty. Substantial improvements have been made by the present rector, and all relating to
church, convents and schools is in a prosperous and thriving condition.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and
Richland Counties Illinois, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Governors
of the State, and the Presidents of the United States. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), p. 591. Transcribed by
Judy Rosella Edwards.
|
|