Our Parish

It is obvious to anyone who walks through the doors at Most Sacred Heart that our Church is beautiful. Watch this video to take a virtual tour by our own Mike Ochonicky, one of the artists who helped create this lovely worship space, to see for yourself and maybe even learn new ways to appreciate all that lies inside.

However, as beautiful as our church building is, the true beauty is in what it holds. For it holds Love. Our Mission Statement says it so well: Loved by God, we love this world. The real beauty comes from you and by how you live this mission.

In my own name, and on behalf of Fr. Leo, our beloved deacons, and our wonderful staff, we’re so happy to have you with us. Thank you for all the ways you fill Most Sacred Heart, our community, and the world with Love.

Fr. Joe

History of Most Sacred Heart Parish

The history of Most Sacred Heart Parish traces itself back to the establishment of the Christian Brothers at La Salle Institute in Glencoe. The chaplain from La Salle served the Catholics of the Eureka area. The Parish was formally founded in 1889, but in 1897, under the guidance of Fr. Michael Walsh, a little white frame church was built on Central Avenue on land donated by Mr. Peter Brown. The organizational details at this time are somewhat hazy.

The list of Pastors begins with Fr. Daniel Dowling, who served area Catholics as Pastor until 1947. Fr. Dowling lived at La Salle Institute and commuted to and from Eureka to serve the spiritual needs of our Parishioners.

In 1947, upon Fr. Dowling’s retirement, Archbishop Joseph Ritter, then Archbishop of St. Louis, invited the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart to take over the priestly leadership of the parish. There were 120 families covering 175 square miles. The Parish contained two missions,

St. Vincent’s Chapel at Deicke and another chapel in Jedburg or Sherman.
Fr. Walfrid Boesche, O.F.M. became the first Franciscan pastor and, upon consultation with his parishioners, arrangements were made to purchase the Claffey estate, some 204 acres just outside of town, for the sum of $30,000. The large eight room farm house was converted into a school and a convent for the School Sisters of Notre Dame. A smaller house on the property was adapted for use as a rectory. The excess acreage of the estate was sold. The school opened its doors for the first time on September 6, 1948. Enrollment was 70. The Sisters also taught catechism to those children attending public school.

In May, 1950, the cornerstone was laid for the new Parish buildings which would house a Church, four classrooms, and a gymnasium. A separate rectory was built. The first Mass was held in the Church on the eve of the feast of the Epiphany, January 5, 1951. On January 8, three days later, classes were held in the new school building.

Enrollment was now at 87. Week-end roller-skating was held in the gym and, during the summer months, the parking lot became a drive-in movie theater with the wall of the barn serving as a screen.

During the 60’s and the early 70’s, the Parish grew slowly. Route 66 became I-44. Six Flags opened. The Block House was built and the bus shed was enclosed to provide storage space. The annual Church bazaar became the Fall Turkey Shoot and, in 1978, almost 100 new families were added to the parish rosters. In 1982-83, extensive renovation was done to the Church and school and a bell tower was added. This was all done while Fr. Ignatius Eckelkamp, O.F.M. was pastor. In 1985 the provincial of the Franciscan Friars announced that the community no longer has sufficient priests to staff Most Sacred Heart Parish. Consequently, responsibility for the pastoral care was returned to the priests of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and Fr. Lawrence Schieber was named pastor. During his years as Pastor, Most Sacred Heart Parish celebrated its centennial year in 1989 with many special events to mark the occasion. Father Vincent Stolzer succeeded Fr. Schieber in 1990 and in 1992 Father Alexander Anderson was named pastor of Most Sacred Heart Parish.