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St. Maurus Catholic Cemetery

Biehle, Perry County, Missouri

In 1844, Catholic German immigrants from the region of Baden came to the area known as Biehle Station. In the 1850s they built a log house for their children, which also served as a church for Mass when a priest was able to make the journey from Apple Creek or Perryville. In 1867, the community gathered and planned to erect a new church, was built on land donated by Maurus Biehle, hence the name of the church.​​

Maurus Biehle (1821-1897) donated the land and rock for the building that was cut from the bluff near Apple Creek just behind Biehle’s barn. In May 1869, the new stone church was dedicated to Saint Maurus, patron saint of Mr. Biehle. The log church was then used as a rectory. In 1880, a new brick building was constructed for the priest, and the log residence was then used to house the school teacher. Father Joseph Hellwing became the first full-time priest.

On March 18, 1925, a tornado swept through the area. Several homes and farms were damaged or destroyed, resulting in two deaths. The church’s sanctuary was unroofed and the main altar was destroyed. The steeple was lifted off the roof and buried in the ground between the school and church. The bell was cracked and two of the outdoor shrines were demolished. When the church was repaired, the old steeple was replaced by a new cupola shaped spire.

Catharina "Catherine" (nee Schwein) Riehl

1816 - 1874

~ 3X Great Grandmother ~

CATHARINA "Catherine" (nee SCHWEIN) RIEHL was born on February 5, 1816, in Hesse-Darmstadt (Germany). She was the daughter of Franz Michael Schwein and Appolonia (nee Brutzer) Schwein. On January 4, 1841, she married Johann Riehl in the Catholic church in Jockgrim, Pfalz, Bayern (Bavaria). Johann was the son of Johann Riehl and Catherina E. (nee Hoffmann) Riehl. Catharina Schwein died in Perry County, Missouri on September 3rd, 1874 at the age of 58. She was our 3x Great Grandmother, the great grandmother of our grandmother, Sarah Helen Bohnert.​

Johann "John" Riehl

1814 - 1901

~ 3X Great Grandfather ~

JOHANN "John" RIEHL​ was born in Bavaria in 1814, the son of Johann Riehl and Catharina (nee Hoffmann) Riehl. On January 4, 1841, he married Catherina "Catherine" Schwein in the Catholic Church in Jockgrim, Pfalz, Bayern (Bavaria). Johann and Catherina immigrated to American on the ship "Old England" out of the port at Le Havre, France, and arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 19, 1850. With them were their children, Franz (age 9), Helena (age 7) Johann (age 4), and Anton (age 1). Johann (John) Riehl was our 3x great grandfather, the great grandfather our our grandmother, Sarah Helen Bohnert.​​