[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 109 (Thursday, June 28, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E940-E941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE PARISH ON THEIR 150TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2018

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Thomas the 
Apostle Parish on their 150th Anniversary. They will be celebrating 
this historic milestone in June of 2019.
   Since the early 1800's, the St. Thomas area had been visited by 
Jesuit missionary priests. In 1838 Father Ferdinand Helias, S.J. 
celebrated the first Mass in the area called ``Indian Bottom'' and went 
on to establish a strong faith community for many parishioners by 
founding approximately 20 mission churches in central Missouri. To this 
day, 7 of those mission churches are still in operation, serving the 
community members of Westphalia, Rich Fountain, Taos, Loose Creek, and 
Jefferson City.
   In 1869, Archbishop Peter Kenrick, Archbishop of St. Louis, 
officially erected St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. When St. Thomas was 
established as a town, it was decided to move the church there and 
construction began in 1883. On October 22, 1884 the new building was 
dedicated and Father Aloysius Mayer served as the first pastor. 
Impressively, this is the church still being used today. In 1987, the 
pipe organ built by the J.G. Pfeffer Company of St. Louis was installed 
and in 2016 was historically restored. This year the Organ Historical 
Society recognized the organ as an instrument of national heritage.
   Generations of families have benefited from the various spiritual 
opportunities offered at St. Thomas the Apostle. Weekly Sunday school 
and sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion are a real treasure to 
those living in this rural community. The Totus Tuus Summer camp 
offered for children 1st-12th grade gives kids a fun and faith based 
experience during the summer months. Parish groups cater to a variety 
of parishioners at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish from the Catholic 
Youth Organization, to Quilters, Knights of Columbus, a Prayer Line, 
St. Ann's Sodality, and even a bowling alley. The annual parish picnic 
is a favorite social event for locals and even residents of the 
surrounding counties.
   The church property is also home to the town's first school which 
was built in 1874. In 1903, a new two-story school was built where 
students were taught for the next 63 years by lay teachers; Precious 
Blood Sisters of Ruma, Illinois; Sisters of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus 
Christ; and School Sisters of Notre Dame. Starting in 1962, the school 
operated as a public school in the Cole R-II School District and then 
in 1989, it was re-established as a Catholic School. In 2006, the two-
story school building was renovated and a new gym was constructed. 
Throughout the years this school has shaped the minds of many 
generations and is still providing a positive influence in students' 
lives today.
   The City of St. Thomas has seen many businesses come and go 
throughout the years, but the anchor in the community has been the 
steadfastness of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating St. Thomas the 
Apostle Parish on

[[Page E941]]

their 150th Anniversary. This milestone is a great testament to the 
commitment this parish has shown to the Lord, their parishioners, and 
the entire community.

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