Parish History

Bio of St. Elizabeth • Parish History • Mass Schedule

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Early Beginnings

It seems as though Saint Elizabeth and Saint Theresa parishes have always been "sisters," at least in the sense that they have shared a common heritage. Almost since their beginning, they have been linked by the priests who have served them, by the rails and roads that have connected them, and by the faith and hope that have sustained them.

A history of these two parishes must begin with the history of Salem, Kinmundy and all of Marion County, for the parishes are, and have always been, an integral part of these communities.

Salem is the seat of Marion County government, having been established on January 24, 1823, by an act of the Illinois legislature. Prior to that date, this territory belonged to Jefferson and Fayette counties. Kinmundy was established in April 1857, after having served as a station of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. In fact, the town was named for a lake near the ancestral estate, in Scotland, of one of the London representatives of the Illinois Central Company. To this day, it is the only town in the United States to have the name.

The early history of Salem and Kinmundy, however, coincides with that of all the Midwest. Great tribes of native peoples roamed here before Spanish and French explorers charted the land for later pioneers. The early explorers not only brought European customs to the area; they also brought the Christian faith.

The area around Salem and Kinmundy played a prominent role in the opening of the entire Midwest region to European settlers. The wide territory fanning out through Southern Illinois was known as the American Bottoms, and there were large prairies between the stretches of woods. Marion County was part of Grand Prairie.

In 1762 the French ceded this area to the English; in 1778 the English surrendered to George Rogers Clark, and this area became part of Virginia, and that state ceded it to the United States in 1784. After being part of the Northwest Territory, it was created the 22nd state in the Union by an act of Congress on April 18, 1818.

Marion County was organized five years later, and named after General Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, famous in the Revolutionary War. Because of its location on the main trail between St. Louis and Vincennes, it was host to many of the great figures of early American history. Including George Rogers Clark (who was a frequent visitor in his campaigns from Vincennes to Kaskaskia), Abraham Lincoln (who knew it from his visits to the now historic Half-way House several miles east of Salem and to the Lemen-Frakes House in Salem), and of course, William Jennings Bryan, three time Democratic presidential candidate and US Secretary of State.

The First Catholics

In 1843 the Chicago Diocese was created and took jurisdiction over the entire state. Bishop William Quarter and his successor, Bishop James Van de Velde, kept a close eye on southern Illinois. In an attempt to divide the state's burgeoning population in 1853, the Quincy diocese was created, but complications ensued and southern Illinois was temporarily placed under the diocese of St. Louis.

Early settlers in Marion County came from Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and Pennsylvania and were mostly Protestants. The building of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad (later named the B&O) through Salem from the east to St. Louis, and the Illinois Central from the north to Cairo, brought the first Catholic settlers into the area. These railroad lines were established here between 1850 and 1855. Most of these Catholics did not settle here but moved on to St. Louis from the east, seeking newer and better livelihoods. Those who remained attended Mass at Saint John the Baptist and Saint Matthew Apostle parish in Odin.

The First Catholic Churches

As the Catholic population in southern Illinois continued to grow, the Alton diocese was established in 1857 under the leadership of Bishop Henry Juncker. In 1866, he received, from Jacob O. Chance and Emma Chance, a deed for a tract of land on South Washington Street in Salem. But it wasn't until 1868 that Saint Theresa mission was established and the first church built.

It was a frame structure, built almost entirely by Bernard Schwartz and dedicated by Alton Bishop Peter Baltes. Modest in size, the first church was still large enough to accommodate the eight families who made up the parish at its beginning: Britain, Cahill, Kiewietz, Jeffares, O’Connor, Schwartz, and Wibels.

Saint Theresa's first annual account on file (from 1872) bears an entry across the face, "No Income," and was signed by Father Herman Hegemann, the first pastor, who lived at Fayetteville.

Father I Killian Schlosser had been saying Mass in private homes for Catholic families in the area around Kinmundy since 1866. In 1870, the first church, under the patronage of Saint Philomena, was built there on 2 acres of land donated by Isaac Eagan. On his deathbed, Patrick Carrick bequeathed a note with interest amounting to $809 that helped finance the building, which cost $2,072.83. The parish's first pastor was Father Francis Moening, a Franciscan priest from Teutopolis.

The first year after the erection of the Kinmundy church, it seemed as if there were good prospects for the future, but failure in crops, and general depression of business from 1874- 1897 greatly disabled the parish.

Kinmundy parishioners continued to be served by Franciscan priests from Teutopolis until 1878. During that same time period, Salem parishioners were served by priests from Fayetteville (1872 to 1876), and Centralia (1876 to 1878). Then, Fathers James Eckerle (from Centralia) and Hubert Riesen (from Flora) began serving the two parishes together in 1878, and the parishes have been united ever since. Priests from Sandoval served the parishes from 1907 to 1922. In 1922, the Salem church was practically rebuilt. The old structure served as a foundation for a beautiful stucco finish, two wings were added and the interior remodeled, repainted and redecorated. Centralia pastors again took responsibility for the parishes from 1922 to 1940. And in 1940, the parishes received their first resident pastor, Father Alphonse Schomaker, a 32 year-old Damiansville native (who had previously served the parish as Associate Pastor) eager to begin his first pastorate.

Father Schomaker's sixteen years as pastor would prove to be the most industrious time in the history of the parishes. Under his guidance, parishes built new churches, Saint Theresa purchased the rectory (now the parish office and meeting space that bears Father Schomaker's name) and construction was begun on the convent and school.

The Production of Oil

For most of their existence, Salem and Kinmundy relied on agriculture and railroad commerce. But the 1930s brought about tremendous change. A highway between Kinmundy and Salem was completed in December of 1930, which allowed the two parishes to have Mass every Sunday. Then, in 1938, the Texas Company's Tate No. I began producing oil in commercial quantities, changing Salem and the surrounding area into a "town where the night has been cheated out of darkness." A thousand flares from a thousand oil wells cast a glow over the entire community that could be seen as far away as St. Louis. Parishioners report having been able to stand on their porches in the middle of the night and read the newspaper.

Salem's population swelled to proportions that workers and their families found themselves staying in everything from chicken coops to garages--any place they could find shelter. During World War II women went to work in Texaco's offices -- the first time they entered the workforce in such numbers.

Obviously, the population shift created new needs in every church. While most of the oil workers who moved to Illinois from Texas and Oklahoma were not Catholic, a significant number demanded attention. In 1937, prior to the oil boom, the parish numbered just thirty-three families. In 1939, that number doubled to sixty-seven.

To better respond to the situation, Saint Theresa's began holding vacation schools in 1935, with the assistance of the Poor Handmaid sisters from Centralia. In 1940, the Felician Sisters replaced the Poor Handmaids at Centralia and, also, took charge of catechetics in Salem.

On April 26, 1940, a giant step forward was taken by Saint Theresa parish. Father Schomaker finalized plans for construction of the present church on the corner of West Main and Ohio streets. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Guth donated the land, and completely financed the new Saint Theresa church, which was constructed at a cost of $28,000. The rest of the parishioners helped purchase the rectory and provide another $12,000 for decorating the church interior.

Kinmundy Catholics quickly followed Salem's lead. In 1951, Father Schomaker layed the corner stone for a new parish church, which was constructed on land donated by Mr. Fred Kleiss. The cost of construction was $33,000, and the new church was dedicated by Belleville's third bishop, Albert Zuroweste, in June.

By 1954, plans were initiated for the construction of a parish school and convent in Salem. Although he was transferred to Immaculate Conception parish in Columbia before its dedication, Father Schomaker, with the generous support of members of the parish, guided Saint Theresa's and his successor, Father Joseph Strzelec, to dedicate the new school and convent in 1955. The cost of construction was $150,000, with $25,000 being donated by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Guth. The parish hall, which was to have the additional purpose of serving as a school gymnasium, was named Guth Hall in their honor. The first enrollment numbered 88 and eventually surpassed 100 students. It has been staffed by sisters from a number of different religious communities, including the Adorers of the Most Precious Blood, the Felicians, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Winds of Change Blow Through the Church

The early 1960s brought about global changes in the church and in the world. Pope John XXIII convoked the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, bringing together bishops from around the world to undertake the most massive reform of the Church since the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine in the Fourth Century. Pope John wanted to "open the windows" and let the Spirit breathe fresh air into the Church and its people. He called the Council to bring a greater sense of- unity, spirituality, and hope to the modern world. Each Fall from 1962 to 1964, more than 2,600 bishops traveled to Rome, along with over 400 theologians and Church experts (to give advice). Together they produced sixteen major documents (called constitutions and decrees) that gave the entire Church direction for the future, and that had a major influence on three vital areas of the Church: the liturgy, the mission of the laity, and ecumenism.

A Reformed Liturgy

Regarding the liturgy, it became clear that changes would have to be made in order to accommodate the Council’s mandates. Father Victor Sulkowski remodeled the sanctuary of the Kinmundy church in 1964. Three years later, Father Arthur Niemeyer completely remodeled the Salem church at a cost of $21,400. Prior to that, Mass had always been celebrated with the priest facing away from the people. One of the first major changes was to have the priest and people face each other. This was accomplished by the construction of temporary altars in front of the permanent ones.

Another change involved the very language of the liturgy. Prior to the Council, the entire Mass was said in Latin. In 1965, portions of the Mass were said in English, with the congregation responding in part. English was also used for the first time in the biblical readings. And by 1969 the entire Mass was being said in the vernacular (the "language of the people"). Because these changes were difficult for many Catholics to embrace, lay commentators assisted them by giving them directions.

Greater Involvement of the Laity

Next to the reformed liturgy, the Council's most enduring legacy was the increased involvement of the laity in every aspect of parish life. The Council made it clear that the laity are a vital force in the management and guidance of the Church. The first parish councils were organized in 1967. Participation in decision-making and collaboration in the Church's mission was said to be an essential part of the laity's baptismal call and the very means whereby they were to live their faith and to work for greater love, peace, and justice in the Church and in the world.

Toward Christian Unity

A third vital component of the Vatican Council would take much longer to implement: working for unity among all Christians and people of other religious traditions. For generations, Catholics had always been a small, yet faithful community throughout Marion County. Relations between Catholics and other Christians were marked by suspicion, rancor, and, sometimes, outright hostility. Vatican II encouraged Catholics to cooperate with their Christian brothers and sisters in the works of charity, justice and peace. The Council also invited all Christians to join Catholics in their worship and ministry. Further, the Council fostered dialogue with those of non-Christian religions, and facilitated real and substantial progress in bringing together many people who had long been divided because of ancient hatreds that had been smoldering far too long.

Over 100 Years of Catholic Faith

In October of 1968, with 105 registered families, Saint Theresa Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary. The festivities were attended by civic and religious leaders from throughout the region, and featured Dr. John Alien of Southern Illinois University, a well-known historian, columnist and lecturer, as the guest speaker.

Earlier that year, a new parish hall was constructed at Kinmundy at a cost of $40,000. It featured a kitchen, four classrooms, and restrooms, and was built on land donated by Mrs. Mildred Kleiss. The building was dedicated by Bishop Zuroweste in March. Saint Elizabeth Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1970 with a Mass and banquet.

The departure of teaching sisters led to the closing of Saint Theresa School in 1969. But events of the early 1970s would soon demand the writing of a new chapter in the history of Saint Theresa's and Saint Elizabeth's. The canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton as the first American-born saint prompted Saint Philomena parish to change its name in her honor. And the arrival of World Color Press, and the transfer to Salem of nearly 200 families inspired Father Ray Kownacki and a small, but determined, group of parishioners to re-open Saint

Theresa School in 1977. As it had nearly forty years before with the oil boom, Saint Theresa Parish doubled in size.

In 1979, Father Kownacki purchased a home on Markland Street that would serve as a new rectory and parish office, and established a library in the first rectory. In 1984, Father Daniel Jurek oversaw the construction of a new parish center in Salem. Costing nearly $350,000, it featured a gymnasium, locker rooms, and a kitchen, and was named in honor of Pope John Paul II. The new parish center made it possible to convert the old parish hall and gymnasium into a kindergarten classroom and a library/meeting room.

The 1980’s saw continued growth in Salem, giving both parishes a sense of stability and hope for the future. North American Lighting and other new industries were established, providing an economic prosperity that enabled Father Stephen Rudolphi to reduce the debt on Salem’s parish center by $150,000. Additionally, Father Christopher Hill was able to bring to completion an asbestos removal project in the school that cost more than $35,000.

In the 1990’s, father Andrew Knopik saw to paving Saint Theresa's parking lot at a cost of $41,500 and installing new concrete sidewalks between the gymnasium and the school at a cost of $5,600. Under his leadership, the Saint Theresa Men's Club constructed a storage building costing $17,000, new handrails were installed and repair work done on the Saint Theresa's west foundation costing more than $10,000, the rectory was repainted and a new stove was installed in the school kitchen at a cost totaling $4,000. In Kinmundy, Father Knopik had new gutters installed at a cost of S3, 000 and arranged for the addition of an image in stained glass of the parish's new patron at a cost of $8,000. Father James Deiters began restructuring parish council committees, fostering a greater sense of parish unity, and having discussions about remodeling the first rectory. And Father Jon O'Guinn, the parishes' twelfth resident pastor, oversaw the development of the Schomaker Center, an office and meeting space housed in the first rectory which soon became a hub of activity for both parishes. Costing $36,000, and with equipment and furnishings valued at more than $6,000, it was dedicated by Belleville's seventh bishop, Wilton Gregory, in August of 1997.

Father O'Guinn, working closely with principal Sister Ruth Chausse, SSND, established a Latchkey Program, a full-day Kindergarten, and a new computer lab. Repairs costing $17,000 were done to the school's roof, the Saint Theresa parking lot was sealed and striped at a cost of $2,000, new steps and handrails were installed at both parish churches, accessibility for persons with disabilities was enhanced, and the Kinmundy church received a new roof, front doors and landscaping. Saint Elizabeth parishioners also established a sister-parish relationship with Native Americans at Our Lady of the Sioux parish in Oglala, South Dakota, sending them school supplies, clothing and monthly contributions.

Saint Theresa’s entered a new phase in its history on May 23^rd, 2001 when Bishop Wilton Gregory installed Darren Eultgen as Parish Life Coordinator or lay pastor.  This is the first time St. Theresa’s has been without a priest pastor.  The years ahead will continue to see change in the church.  St. Theresa has and will continue to be a vital part of the Diocese of Belleville and Salem, Illinois.

The Church will be alive and well if we, the People of God, are alive in the Lord and seek to do His will and work.  May God bless us in Love.

Toward the New Millennium

At the dawn of the new millennium, Saint Elizabeth parish had grown to 60 families, and Saint Theresa was holding firm near 300. Increased lay-participation at every level of decision-making and ministry assured that the faith would be alive and active well into the twenty-first century.

This brief history of Catholic faith in Kinmundy and Salem intends to evoke a spirit of praise and thanks for the good work God has accomplished in the last 130 years. For every name or moment remembered here, there are countless others now forgotten -- but remembered by God, which helped the Catholic faith take root in these communities. As Father Schomaker noted in 1940, "Let us view the past with gratitude, the present with confidence, and the future with solemn trust that Heaven will continue to bless us, and that this Church will be a source of grace and consolation to the generations yet to come."

Deo Gratias!