In the spring of 1995, the St. Bernadette
The presence of Catholicism in Hickory County
began around 1945 when Bishop Edwin O’Hara of
the Kansas City Diocese worked with the Catholic
Extension Society to ensure every county in
Missouri had a Catholic Church.
After construction of Lake Pomme de Terre in 1963,
mass was needed for vacationers and those
moving into Hickory County after retirement. The
availability of mass was occasional as Fr. Clem
Imberger from Lebanon, the pastor from Osceola,
and others would celebrate mass at various sites. A
building was constructed at the intersection of Highways 54 and 254 in Hermitage,
but shortly thereafter fell into disuse as there were not enough Catholics in the
area. There were only six families registered at St. Bridget, as it was then called.
The building was sold in 1972 by the Diocese of Jefferson City to the Lions Club.
In the summer of 1973, in response to numerous requests for a permanent Catholic
presence in Hickory County, Bishop Michael F. McAuliffe STD, charged Fr. Donald
Green CPPS, pastor at Warsaw to open a mass station. Fr. Green’s health did not
permit him to follow through on the Bishop’s request.
St. Bernadette Catholic Mission Church was born with the arrival of Fr. Joseph
W. Starmann who lived with the Bishop in Jefferson City and commuted over 200
table in the Dam Site Park on the Feast of All Saints, November 1, 1973 with about
10 people attending. The weather was cold and windy which encouraged Fr.
Starmann to inquire if there was a place indoors that could be rented. Ironically,
he rented the Lion’s Club building which the diocese had sold the previous year.
Thereafter, services during winter were held at the Lions Club building.
The Lion’s Club proved to be less than desirable because of the need to rearrange
the furnishings each week, its inability to accommodate the number of worshipers
present during the summer, as well as the smell of smoke. Masses were held at a
number of outdoor sites to accommodate the vacation crowds. This inconvenience
led the parishioners to seek a permanent location and status as a mission parish.
St. Bernadette Catholic Church began as a shivering little group, almost all
strangers to one another, in the open air. Bob Hathaway organized committees for
acres were purchased for the parish and 26 ½ acres for the diocese along Highway
254 south of Hermitage from Jess and Rose Kauffman. A contract was negotiated
to construct a 40’ by 66’ building. Mr. Leon Hartley of Wheatland was the contractor
for the main structure with members of the parish doing the work on the interior.
Harley poured the cement slabs, erected the prefabricated roof beams and put
on the roof. Parish members did the rest. The cost of land and construction was
$80,000. The new church was ready Holy Thursday, April 15th, 1976.
In 2 ½ years, this small group built this beautiful and not-so-little church. It was
built almost entirely by the people of the parish, a labor of love and devotion.
Parishioners cleared an area behind the church to develop into a suitable place
for celebrating the Liturgy outdoors during the summer when the congregation
swelled with vacationers. This church was built mainly to serve the many visitors to
the Pomme de Terre area. The church consisted of 31 families.
Dedication of St. Bernadette Mission Catholic Church was on May 16th, 1976 by His
Excellency, the Most Reverend Michael F. McAuliffe, Bishop of Jefferson City, MO.
Concelebrants were Rev. Joseph W. Starmann, Pastor of Saint Bernadette Parish,
Rev. Father Martin OSB, of Conception Abbey, Clergy of the Diocese of Jefferson
City and the surrounding area, and the Knights of Columbus. Deacon at Mass was
Deacon Elmer C. Hoppins of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, MO. The choir
consisted of 24 Seminarians of Saint Thomas Seminary, Hannibal, MO. Some 300
persons attended the dedication.
The buildings of the parish continued to grow as the parish grew in size and
activities. On March 12th, 1977 a patio cover was approved with $2,700 pledged at
the Pastoral Council Meeting. Years later the church exterior was stuccoed under
the direction of Joe Strobel. In early 1984, Miller Hall was constructed through the
generosity of Fred Miller. In July 1989, construction began on the Parish Center, a
separate building with larger space for parish activities. A large part of the interior
work of the parish center was done by Jack Wagner and family. In the fall of 1993,
a 40’ by 30’ structure for storage and a workshop for the building committee was
constructed.
Catholic Church sign was erected in front of
the church building. It has since deteriorated
and was removed. In 1996, two members
from the Pastoral Council traveled to St.
the direction of Fr. Donald Powers, initial
steps were taken to enlarge the church to
house the increase of parishioners and
vacationers. Bishop John Gaydos dedicated
the addition, holding 350-450 people on December 12th, 1999. In 2000, the
appointment of Rev. W. Paul Jones as resident Pastor, elevated St. Bernadette to
an independent parish. Stained glass windows designed and executed by Walt
the church.
For many years, St. Bernadette’s sacramental records were kept at St. Anthony’s
now maintained locally.
But St. Bernadette Catholic Church is much more than buildings. The Altar &
feasts, dinners for families of deceased following funerals or memorials, ministers
at the nursing home, and schedules activities for its members. The Fr. Donald
Powers Council #13786 of the Knights of Columbus holds Fish Fries during Lent,
supports both Special Olympics of Missouri (SOMO) and local Star County Athletes
through October Tootsie Roll Drives, supplemented by funds raised from biennial
steak Dinners and an annual Golf Tournament. Additionally, they award
scholarships to all local schools, support the local Food Pantry with funding and
volunteers, and support Right to Life activities. The Ladies Auxiliary champions
women’s issues in Hickory County such as the recently formed Helping Hands
Abuse and Crisis Center of Hickory County, local pregnancy support centers, and
assists the Knights in their endeavors. Previously, St. Bernadette’s had a St.
Stephens Men’s Club which baked and sold donuts each summer to raise funds
for its Toys for Kids charitable activity giving toys to the poor children of Hickory
County at Christmas time. This function has now been taken over by a separate
Toys for Kids ministry committee.
The Pastoral Council plans for the worship life of the parish, plans social activities,
programs of the church. The Finance Council prepares the parish budget and
Presently, St. Bernadette’s does not have a Pastor; rather, pastoral and
administrative activities are the responsibility of Deacon Kent Boettger, Parish Life
Collaborator. Fr. Alexius Ekka, pastor of St. Ann’s parish in Warsaw, serves as our
Sacramental administrator, presiding at all masses. We are thankful to Bishop W.
Shawn McKnight for providing this cooperative arrangement to serve the needs of
St. Bernadette and Hickory County.
Elm Springs School south of Weaubleau
on highway 123. Also used as a church.
(Photo submitted on mogenweb)