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History of St. John The Baptist
1841-April
19, twenty-five pioneers left Ersingen, Germany for New World.
Arrived at Piopolis on August 21, 1841. 1844-A
40-acre tract of land bought by Cajetan Aydt from Thomas Whiteaker and
later deeded to Bishop William Quarters, Catholic Bishop of Chicago.
This tract became Piopolis Church property. 1846-First log church completed and first Mass
celebrated on Ash Wednesday. 1954-Cajetan Aydt, who was instrumental in getting
the early German settlers to migrate to Piopolis, left with two brothers
to establish a new parish and settlement in Minnesota. 1857-A new frame church building, 25 X 50 feet,
started by architect Tobias Brummer destroyed by a windstorm before
completion. 1860-Frame church completed with some help from
migrants from Clinton Co. Bishop
Juncker of Alton came for Confirmation. 1861-A small rectory, four rooms, two 12-feet
square and two smaller. Some
parishioners left for the Civil War. 1864-Rectory completed and first pastor, Fr. Edw.
Harriman arrived on Jan. 20 and left Dec. 8 of the same year. William
Karcher entered the study for the Priesthood. 1865-End of Civil War. The second resident pastor,
Fr. Blas? Winterhalter, was installed and also ministered by
horseback at McLeansboro, Enfield, Carmi and Mt. Vernon.
Marellus Zachman was hired as lay teacher and with Bishop Juncker
was instrumental in getting Precious Blood Sisters of Burwell, Germany
to locate their convent here. 1870-A two-story Motherhouse and school frame
building was completed at a cost of $3,000.00. Bishop Juncker donated
$500.00. On Feb.28, nine nun from Gurtwell, Germany arrived by wagon
after coming by boat to Shawneetown. They immediately took over the
teaching at the school and continued until 1964.
Fr. Winterhalter transferred to Calhoun Co. and Fr. Rustemeyer
came but stayed only ten days. Two
administrators, Fr. Jansen and Fr. Brumleve were held for a short
period. 1871-The third pastor, Fr. John Neuhaus, was
installed. Three sisters
from Piopolis were sent to Springfield to teach. Sr. Emile died July 11,
and buried at St. John?s. 1876- Some sisters left Piopolis to start a new
Motherhouse at O?Fallon, MO in new province. The
remaining sisters departed by train from Delafield for a new
location at Ruma, which was to become their permanent Motherhouse.
Fr. Neuhaus transferred to Edwardsville and later became Chaplain
for the nuns at Ruma. Fr. John N. Enzilberger became the fourth resident
pastor, coming from Vandalia. 1877- 13 acres of church property was laid out into
50 lots to become a small village named Piopolis for Pope Pius IX who
was celebrating his 50 years as Bishop. 1879- Sixteen orphan girls were sent to Piopolis
for two years to be taken care of by the nuns. Plans were drawn up for a
new church and half-million bricks were baked for this first brick
church. 1880-foundation was laid for the new church after
the frame church was moved aside. Mt. Vernon builds new church;
McLeansboro, Dahlgren and other church were no longer mission of
Piopolis. 1881- Cornerstore of the brick church laid on May
4, but a storm demolished the west wall on August 6, while under
construction. 1882- Storm damage repaired and church completed by
the end of 1882, at a cost of $12,000.00.
First couple married in the new church was John and Henrica
Reyling, parents of Fr. August Reyling. 1884- Dedication of new brick church, Oct. 1, 1884.
Due to illness of Bishop Baltes, Fr. John Neuhaus, former pastor, was
celebrant. 1892- Fr. Albert J. Karcher, son of the parish, was
ordained a priest, July 26 1892, after competing studies in Switzerland.
His first Mass at Piopolis was in 1892.
New rectory was built at a cost of $2,200.00. 1902-Fr. Enzilberger transferred and Fr. Bernard
Reusch was installed as fifth resident pastor. 1910-New altars were installed (which are the
present day altars) in the first brick church. Old altars were given to
Dahlgren. 1913- Bricks for a new school were purchased from
Albion. 1914- New two-story sisters? house was built
for $4,000.00. It is the
present day rectory. 1924- The present school building was completed and
dedicated by Bishop Henry Althoff. 1927- Fr. Eckerman started St. John?s
Annual Picnic, which continued over 3 decades. 1929- Furnace heat installed in church and
sisters? house, as well as electrical and water systems. Also a
two-year high school was started. 1930- All the windows were replaced with stained
glass. Banks of McLeansboro and Dahlgren closed due to bankruptcy.
Depression hit rural America. 1931- Pavement between McLeansboro and Mt. Vernon
poured. 1932-Church steeple renovated. Pavement between
Wayne City & McLeansboro completed. 1933- High school discontinued for lack of
students. 1934- Gravel road from Piopolis to pavement
completed, making the first all weather road between Piopolis and
McLeansboro. 1939-Fr. Eckerman celebrated his silver jubilee at
Piopolis. He was presented a new automobile. 1941-Piopolis celebrated its centennial year
(1841-1941). 1941-1945 World War II years. 1948-A new stocker furnace installed in school
building. 1953-on June 13, a severe storm damaged the brick
church to the extent that is was torn down and replaced. 1954-the second brick church cornerstone laid in
March and building finished and had first Mass said on Christmas Day. 1955-Fr. Eckerman became ill and was replaced with
Fr. Edmund Schumacher as administrator
until Fr. Ekerman?s death in 1962. 1961-Fr. Edmund Schumacher celebrated his 25th
anniversary on June 4, 1961. Lake was constructed on church property. 1962-Fr. Eckerman died and was interred in St.
Johns Cemetery. Fr.
Schumacher became the seventh pastor.
Restrooms were added to the school building. 1963-New gas furnace installed in church. 1964-Precious Blood nuns discontinued teaching at
St. John, after having taught since 1870. 1965-After the nuns left, the sisters? house
was converted to rectory. The
old rectory was dismantled in March. Fr. Eugene Kreher celebrated his
First Mass at Piopolis on May 2. Fr. Schumacher died August 30.
Funeral Mass here but he was interred at San Francis, Aviston.
Fr. Harry Schumacher was assigned temporarily as administrator during
his Uncle Edmund Schumacher?s illness and death from February to
October. Fr. Meinrad Dunn
assigned as eighth pastor at St. John?s in October. 1968-Ballpark was built so that young and old could
enjoy ballgames, day or night. 1970-Fr. Dunn celebrated his 25th
anniversary and received a gift of a new car. 1972-Fr. Dunn left St. Johns and was assigned to
Hecker in February. Fr. Albert Jerome, ninth pastor, succeeded him. 1973-Public school closed in Piopolis. 1974-Air conditioning was added to the church. 1975-Parish Council was established, with various
organizations being represented. 1976-Fr. Jerome was transferred on May 30 to St.
Phillips in East Louis. Fr. James Van Oss was installed as tenth pastor. 1977-Fr. George Mauck ordained in May. Mass of
Thanksgiving at Piopolis on July 24. 1978-Fr. August Reyling celebrated his Golden
Jubilee on July 3. Fr. Van
Oss established the birthday calendar. 1977-1978- Kitchen in school building remodeled
with new gas ranges and new lighting. 1981-Parish Council voted to redecorate church,
removing communion rails, new carpeting, painting, plus refinishing the
altars, statues and pews. Ministers of the Eucharist started. 1982-Farewell for Fr. Van Oss in June.
Fr. Emil Maziarz installed as eleventh pastor on July 6. 1983-In June, Fr. Maziarz was assigned to the
Chancery Office and Fr. Joseph A. Lawler becomes the twelfth pastor on
July 10. 1984-Fr. August Reyling passed away in September.
He is well remembered for having translated the original Piopolis
history from German to English and for bringing the books and records to
date. Fr. James P. Keleher
of Mundelin was named the sixth Bishop of Belleville in October. 1986-Fr. Lawler celebrated his 25th
anniversary with a festive day, including a Mass of Thanksgiving with
parishioners, fellow priests, friends, relatives, delicious food, gifts
and helicopter rides. 1987-Harvest Blessing held at Clarence and Wilma
Karcher Farm. Bishop
Keleher enjoyed the restored log cabin setting. Dioceses of Belleville
celebrated the diocesan centennial.
St. Johns joined in the Heritage Festival held at the DuQuion
State Fair Grounds on September 27 by setting up displays, recalling the
faith of our ancestors. The 4-H Club re-enacted the arrival of the
Precious Blood nuns in 1870. 1989-The men of the parish constructed about 275
grave markers of concrete and imprinted named for those graves without
markers or those that had been destroyed. 1990-Fr. Eugene Kreher celebrated his 25th
anniversary with a Mass and Dinner on August 19.
Fr. Lawler, with help of parish volunteers installed a new
furnace boiler in the school basement. 1991-The parish is planning to celebrate the
Sesquicentennial of the Parish with various activities including a photo
directory, a history of the parish, a re-enactment of the arrival of the
first immigrants to Piopolis and other observances. 1991-February saw the beginning of the
Sesquicentennial celebrations. The
crafts, the games the displays, the German food, the German Band and
Homecoming Day will long be remembered.
Over one thousand people enjoyed the noon day meal and 1,500
attended the Reenactment of the settlers coming for the first time in
wagons and by horseback. The
sesquicentennial cookbooks were indeed treasured.
Bishop James P. Keleher attended the Mass and dinner.
All three parishes in Hamilton County met to Plan for the Future.
The History niche was built in church.
Our history book is certainly a work that will be appreciated for
years to come. Mr. Edwin
Frey collected most of the facts. 1992-The history book was reprinted.
On June 28th, we celebrated the one hundred fifty one
years of being a parish, with a Mass and Basket Dinner.
The cluster group met to plan for a Mission that would include
all three parishes. Prayers
were offered in 1992 for the repose of the souls of the five Adorers of
the Blood of Christ that were murdered in Liberia, which included a
schoolmate of Fr. Lawler, Sr. Kathleen McGuire.
The others were St. Agnes Mueller, Sr. Barbar Muttra, Sr. Shirley
Kolmer and Sr. Mary J. Kolmer. The Wicks organ was refurbished in the
choir of St. John?s. Mr.
Jerry Crystal and family did the work with funds provided by the Clara
Emma Karcher family. 1993-The Holy Name Shooting Match was held October
10th. A Mission
was held at St. John the Baptist, Piopolis on Nov. 6-11.
Fr. Lawler and a crew from the Holy Name installed the new
furnace in the school basement. The
Cluster members of the county met and are attempting to invite all high
school members to one religious class. 1994-The parish of St. Johns welcomed 92 members of
The Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of OFallon, Missouri with a mass
on August 10th. A
priest accompanied them as they traveled on two buses to Piopolis.
They consider Piopolis their foundation roots in America.
They decorated the grave of Sr. Emilie.
The parish welcomed the news that Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory was
appointed as Bishop of Belleville. 1995-Fr. Lawler traveled to attend the National CYO
Convention in the Twin Cities in Minnesota.
New sidewalks were poured. Silicone
was applied to the exterior of the church.
The Sisters of OFallon, Missouri were instructors at Vacation
Bible School from July 24-28th.
They stayed at the ?Piopolis Hilton? and Fr. Lawler
stayed on the farm in Ridgway. The
CYO undertook the task of cleaning the stained glass rose window that
had been in the tower of the church built in 1884.
The window had been saved in three major pieces when the church
was dismantled in 1953. On
St. Johns Day, June 25th, a quilt show for older people and a
pedal tractor pull was held. 1996-A tornado hit the church and many of the
neighbor? barns and grain bins on Friday evening, April 19th
at about 9:00 p.m. For the church properties, it did over $100,000.00
damage. No fatalities,
praise the Lord. Fifty
panes of glass were blown out of the school; a front dormer of the roof
of the school was removed. Fr.
Lawler hung on to an iron radiator as seven windows were completely
blown out. A good roofing
crew put a new roof on the garage, house, school and one-half of the
church. New bulbs were
installed in the pole lights at the ball field.
A new concession stand was built. 1997-The ladies of the parish purchased new
carpeting for the rectory. On
April 19th, 17 young people made their Confirmation.
Bishop Francis George OMI was installed as Archbishop of the
Chicago Archdiocese, on May 17, 1997.
Fr. Lawler, along with his mother, sister Lucy Zilch and nephew,
Sean Zilch, visited relatives in Ireland.
An Inquiry class was held in the spring of 1997.
On November 1st, Mark Reyling was ordained to the
Deaconate. He could now
preach, teach, baptize, bury the dead, witness marriages and serve the
needs of the Church. The
two towns of Ersingen and Belfingen in Baden, Germany were celebrating
their 800th Birthday with a three day celebration on October
3rd, 4th and 5th. 1998-Fr. Mark Reyling was ordained to the
priesthood at St. John the Baptist, Piopolis on June 6, 1998, in a big,
historic celebration. All
parishioners were asked to be included in the campaign named ?A
Future Full of Hope.? The
collection is for needs in the Catholic Diocese of Belleville.
Pope John Paul II visited St. Louis, Missouri this fall and nine
parishioners from Piopolis had tickets to attend. 1999-St. Johns Piopolis collected items for special
needs of the victims of the hurricane in the area of the Diocese of
Jalapa, Guatemala. We also
collected for the Crisis Closet in McLeansboro during Lent.
The quilters had stitched a handmade quilt for the youth of the
parish. On September 12th,
all three parishes held a special pre-millennium Saturday celebration,
in preparation for the year 2000. An
outdoor Mass was held at Piopolis around a new outdoor altar made with
Bedford limestone, which was built by Fr. Lawler. A meal followed the
Mass. Fr. Roland Jacques,
OMI led us in German songs. In
November, the Piopolis CYO won the Deanery volleyball tournament at
Ridgway. Many people are
preparing for January 1, 2000. The
media suggested having food stored and supplies available in case of a
blackout of electricity. 2000-The New Year came in with a lot of people thankful that there were no glitches. A new Parish Directory was planned. Pictures were taken April 6th, 7th, 8th and 25th. A big Thank-You is given to the picture committee who has compiled this book. 2001-Fr. Joseph Lawler celebrated his 40th
year in the priesthood on Pentecost Sunday with new red vestments, a
meal for approx. 500, all 2002-Through the generosity of a parishioner named
David Karcher, we have an outdoor pavilion for picnic style meals and
new vesting cabinetry which was installed in the server's
sacristy. 2003-new air conditioners were installed in the 2004-We got 3 new stoves in kitchen area in the
hall. The Holy Name Society
bought one and two new cook stoves was bought with the legacy from
William Reyling, former trustee. We poured concrete in front of the
school and a handicap area through the generosity of a donation from
Polly Kaufman. 2005-We installed two new water
boiler furnaces in the body of the church at
2006-furnace in school building went to 100 percent
corn fuel. 2007-St. John the Baptist will host the Farm
Blessing on April 26th, 2007.
Fr. Joseph A. Lawler
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