The History of Our Parish

The Early Role of the Laity

Father Brand did not underestimate the vital role of the laity in the development of parochial life: 

• On July 15, 1888, he appointed a Council of Administration, known as the Church Trustees.  These men were:  Gerhardt Bruenderman, Joseph Fey, Arnold L. Klein, Ernst Ohmes, and John W. Rolwing.
  
  
• He formed the Ladies Altar Society on July 22, 1888, with 43 members enrolled.  Mrs. Julia Klein served as president and Mrs. Rosina Loebe as secretary and treasurer.
  
  
• On August 19, 1888, he organized the Mutual Aid Society.  The society elected Arnold L. Klein, president, John W. Rolwing, treasurer, and B. A. Rolwing, secretary.  The society counted with 31 members.

The parish and school continued to flourish during the seven years of Father Brand's pastorate. 

However, Father Francis Brand's apostolic work was not confined solely to St. Henry Parish in Charleston.  He regularly attended the needs of Catholics in New Madrid - where he built a parochial residence.  At Caruthersville and Cooter he held services regularly.  Westward he went as far as Poplar Bluff servicing the Catholics there.  He visited Belmont, East Prairie, Birds Point, Texas Bend and Sikeston, celebrating Holy Mass in private homes.

Excerpted from St. Henry Parish 1873 - 1973.