When the Rev. Ferdinand Helias, a Society of Jesus missionary priest assigned to Westphalia, enlisted the help of fellow Jesuit priest the Rev. John Baptist Goeldlin to aid in the religious outreach "Central Missouri Mission," it is doubtful either knew how long the fruits of their labor would last.
Goeldlin, once called "the apostle of Maries County" for his dedication and service to Maries and surrounding counties, helped encourage residents of Vienna to form a Catholic station in early 1859. Named St. Mary's, the station was housed in a log cabin on land north of Vienna deeded to Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick, of St. Louis.
When the building was severely damaged in a fire in late 1862 or early 1863, parishioners decided to build a new structure closer to downtown Vienna. The town's first official Catholic church, also named St. Mary's, was constructed in 1867, where the present church stands.
The parish will celebrate Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church's sesquicentennial Saturday, meaning for 150 years Vienna has been home to a Catholic church and parish.
In those 150 years, a rich history has connected the parishioners to their descendants who remain active in the parish today. When the Rev. John Fugel, pastor of the parish from 1896 to his death in 1936, rallied his parishioners in 1904 to begin construction for the current church, each block, beam and tile was laid by the grandparents and great-grandparents of today's generation of parishioners.
After Archbishop John Glennon officially dedicated the church Sept. 8, 1909, art windows were purchased from a company in Minneapolis, sponsored by families in memory of their departed loved ones. Depicting scenes from the life of Christ, the windows are unusually beautiful due to their inclusion of all three types of ornamental glass: stained, opalescent and painted panels. Each bears the name of families still active in the parish today, such as Buschmann, Stratman, Weidinger and Schwartze.
A detailed history of the parish has been compiled for this monumental year, thanks to the meticulous records of Fugel and others.
Lisa Jones, chair of the parish's Sesquicentennial Committee, encourages the accurate and detailed recording of parish events and families.
"You don't appreciate today because we're living in it," Jones said.
Saturday's event celebrating those gifts will allow family, friends and guests to join in the history of one of the oldest parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City.
A museum will be open in the church basement, featuring paintings of gospel authors Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; artifacts of Fugel's; items buried 25 years ago in the parish time capsule; and an 18th century dress worn by Helen Weidinger, a particularly interesting figure in the parish's history.
When the orphan train came to Freeburg in 1904, Fugel adopted Helen Meronel. She was raised in the rectory by Fugel and the parish secretary until she married Gerhardt Francis Weidinger. Her children and grandchildren donated the dress she wore when she arrived on the train in 1904.
Another piece of church history Jones remembers are the chimes ringing out over the town.
"When I grew up, we lived in a house next to the church. I remember the chimes, playing the Angelus bell at 6 in the morning, noon and 6 in the evening," she said.
The chimes fell into disrepair and have not been heard for more than 20 years. This year, the chimes were replaced and will ring out for the first time as the celebration's opening Mass ends.
The chimes will serve as a reminder to parishioners of all they have learned while preparing for the occasion.
"We have learned what a rich history our parish has and how hard our ancestors worked to build it for us," Jones said. "I wish they knew we are still here. This process has renewed all of us in our faith in God, and all we stand for as a Catholic community."
The community is also celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Visitation Interparish School, now the only Catholic school left in Maries County.
The opening Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, with Vicar General the Rev. Joe Corel presiding along with Visitation pastor the Rev. Matthew Flatley. The Visitation Parish and School Museum will be open 12:30-5 p.m., with tours at 1 and 4 p.m.
Performances will be given throughout the day by the Dance Academy, Osage Cloggers and Visitation Choir. Presentations will be given on the church's history and glass windows. Food trucks sponsored by neighboring parishes will be open for lunch and dinner, in addition to festivities including a cruise-in, petting zoo, Old Jail Museum tours and more.
Commemorative souvenirs will be on sale, including a parish history book and cook book.
The evening will end with a burial of the 2017 Visitation Time Capsule following Mass led by Flatley.
Throughout preparations and celebrations, parishioners are keeping in mind the words spoken by Fugel at the dedication of the current church in 1909: "Why such a large church? We hope to grow. Why such a massive and solid building? We hope to stay. Why such a magnificent building? It is for a magnificent God!"
For more information, visit the Visitation Parish and School Anniversary Celebration Facebook page or call 573-422-3950.