Our Lady of Perpetual Help R. C. Church
St. Louis, MO
Originally at 2011 Linton Ave at the corner of 14th St. (Zip 63107) in the town of Lowell which was later annexed by the city of St. Louis in 1877. The church location was a few blocks east of O'Fallon Park in the northern half of the city. The location now is between W. Florissant and I-70 (N. Broadway).
The feast-day for Our Lady of Perpetual Help is June 27. Also called Our Mother of Perpetual Help, the name refers to the mother of Jesus and her special attributes for catholics. There is a famous "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" icon in Rome which is venerated. Click here, here, here, and here for web sites on this icon/painting.
Dedication of first building was in 1874 on land called "College Hill" which was owned by the Jesuits of St. Louis University in the unincorporated town of Lowell. A newer church was built in 1889. It was destroyed by fire in 1970. The parish ceased to exist in 1992.
The parish was organized in 1873 by a group of 40 families from the northern section of Holy Trinity parish. One of those who helped organize Perpetual Help parish was Father Henry Muehlsiepen who was the vicar-general. He was a leader among German speaking priests and emphasized the need to establish the parish schools first before building parish churches. The Catholic Knights of America were strong in German congregations like Perpetual Help. In 1946 local priests met in Our Lady of Perpetual Help to recommend a replacement for the recently deceased archbishop of St. Louis. Part of the Perpetuel Help parish was removed in 1891 to create St. Engelbert Church.
A priest by the name of A. J. Schilling was the pastor from 1875 through 1904.
Family History Library films for the sacramental records of this church are nos. 1870546, 1870547, and 1870548.
Theodore J. Vossler (-3G) and Frances Johanna Schloemer were married by the Rev. Schilling, probably in this church, on 26 Jan. 1888. On the marriage certificate, Rev. Schilling gave his address as 20th and Fenton Ave. but I do not know where Fenton Ave. was/is.
Relatives who were members or had a ceremony performed at this church
Theodore J. Vossler (-3G) Frances Johanna Schloemer (-3G)
Go to the Home Page Localities Index Main Ancestor Chart Vossler Surname Page Created on 24 July 2005. Updated on 20 June 2006 by Erven Thoma