History of Belgique Parish

Written on the occasion of the 50th Jubilee Anniversary of the Parish

In the days of the pioneer settlers in the lowlands along the west bank of the Mississippi here in Perry County, there was a dense growth of woods, good timber, oak, walnut, ash and much willow, which of course required cleaning to open up the rich bottom lands which were as yet undeveloped; much waste wood which was burned in huge bonfires all along the River banks as the cleaning progressed. These fires were evidently very frequent, so much that the name “Bois Brule” was given the district, which is the French term meaning “burnt wood.” That name still clings to the territory for the same title is listed for the local Perry County township.

As there were quite a number of Catholics among the early settlers in Bois Brule Bottoms, the jealous Fathers of the Missions (C.M.s from the Seminary) sought them out and about once a month a priest came to say Mass for them and offer them an opportunity to receive the Sacraments thus saving a long and difficult journey to the Barren’s Seminary. The Catholics would gather at the house of a Mrs. Allen, who lived near the River at Allen’s Landing. In an upper attic room a portable altar was erected for the Holy Sacrifice.

On the occasion of the priest’s visit the faithful could also go to Confession, and receive the Sacraments, present children for Baptism, in fact, conditions were such as we would find today in a Mission Station without a resident Priest. For Confession, one at a time took his turn in the upper room to kneel right at the Priest’s knee to tell his story of sin and failings.

Sometime between 1875 and 1882 then was built in Claryville a small Mission Church with Sacristy attached offering quarters for a Priest. Here [?] the Catholics of Bois Brule Bottom were obliged to go for worship. The STation at Allen’s Landing was discontinued, and the Priests from the Seminary cared for the Claryville Church. For services other than Sunday Mass, the people had to go to Perryville to the Seminary.

In 1884, Father Leopold De Ceumynck who came to St. Louis some twenty (20) years after his ordination from Bruges [?], Belgium, was sent to Claryville as a resident Pastor, to care for the Church there many of whose parishioners were Belgians from Bois Brule. Some of our oldest people tell this story of the beginnings of the Belgique Parish. Following Father De Ceumynck arrival at Claryville due to a bad spell of rainy weather, the roads being impassible for travel, few people if any from the Bottoms could get to Church for several weeks. Father De Ceumynck felt quite homesick and disappointed for he had been told by his Superiors that he was being entrusted with a little flock of his own native Belgians. The roads however improving these good people from Bois Brule finally were able to get thru to Claryville for Sunday Mass. It is a very touching story - that first meeting between Priest and people so closely related by native traits and language. The Pastor himself almost new in America was overjoyed in coming again in contact with those who spoke his language, that on meeting these people from Bois Brule after the Services he tearfully begged them to take him along with them and build a little Church down along the Mississippi near their own homes. The petition was sent to effect this transfer, to the Archbishop of St. Louis and then the Chancellor of the Arch Diocese. Father Henry Von der Sanden also a Belgian, the appointment was made by Archbishop Tennick [?]

On New Year’s Day, 1885, Father De Ceumynck said Mass for the first time in Bois Brule in an old log house located about two blocks from the present Church property. It must be remembered that the name of the settlement was originally Bois Brule. It was changed to its present name by the postal authorities; first the name Belgium was suggested, but for fear of confusion since there was already a postal station bearing that name, the title “Belgique” which is the French for Belgium, was adopted.

Father De Ceumynck after moving to Belgique continued also in charge of the Claryville Parish for some years. The people of Belgique equipped a temporary Chapel in the large second-story room of the home of Mr. Bernard Modde, where the faithful attended Mass whilst erecting the first Church Building. Some of the older Parishioners recall the occasion when on a Sunday morning during Mass due to the crowd jammed into the close quarters, the main joist cracked and the floor suddenly began to sag. Father ordered all to remain quietly seated until some of the men could hurriedly brace up the floor below, then orderly one by one were they permitted to leave.

The first Church, w/frame structure, was built on the corner lot now occupied by the Modde Store. This property was deeded to the archbishop by Bernard Modde. The record from the Chancery states that Father Van der Sanden dedicated the first Church on May 10, 1885. So we can see how earnestly these early parishioners set to work to erect their Temple to house the Blessed Lord amongst them. The first Mass on January 1st and to be in their own church on May 10th of the same year proves the fervor of these good peoples’ faith and devotedness to their Religion.

For over a year Father De Ceumynck lived with the Modde family until a Rectory was built. This first house for the Priest stood directly in front of the present Rectory. The fact that the Parish did not immediately establish a Catholic School does not indicate a lack of interest in religious education, but the want of means to support such in the early years of the Parish. As soon as the prospects brightened Father De Ceumynck set about to open a Parochial School. Since there was not a building suitable it was decided to build a new and larcher Church and use the old Church building as a school. The present Church was built during 1893 and was solemnly dedicated on September 12th, of that year by Father Van der Sanden. We copy this following record, which is written in latin in his own handwriting on the fly-leaf of the Parish Baptimsal Record.

“On September 12th, 1893, I, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, acting with the faculty secured from Most Reverend Peter Richard Kenrick, ARchbishop of Saint Louis, have blessed the New Church, under the title of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, built at Belgique, Perry County, Missouri. Being assisted by Reverend Thomas J. Nelson [?], C.M., as deacon, Reverend James Foley, C.M. as Subdeacon and Reverend David Leopold De Ceumynck, Pastor of the Church, as Master of Ceremonies.”

“By reason of the faculty entrusted to me, I Henry Van der Sanden, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, have erected the Stations of the Cross with the Indulgences connected thereto, in the new Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, Mary, located at Belgique, Perry, County, Missouri, according to the prescriptions of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences of May 10, 1742.”

“In witness of the above, I have signed my name in my own hand here in the Rectory of this same Church on September,12, 1893.”   Henry Van der Sanden Chancellor

This new church building was erected on a different site a little North of the first Church. The Parish with her completed second Church now had quarters for a school. Classes were opened in the corner building that year with Miss Ceil Antoine as the first teacher. For a few years such arrangements continued but it was soon seen that the nearness of the school to the roadway and its low windows were a source of constant distraction to the children, whose attention is held with so much difficulty; therefore, the school building must be moved to a quieter zone if the teacher were to be successful in imparting knowledge from books and blackboard instead of from the great outdoors. Mr. Modde who had donated the grounds for the Church properties was also anxious to secure the corner for a location for a store. He therefore traded a like acreage in the rear of the church in exchange for the old site of the first Church. It was accordingly decided to put the School House to the back of the Church and whomewhat removed from the roadside. It stood for many years where our present Dining Hall is located. The building tho not always in service as a school was in use until 1931 when we wrecked it to give place to the new Hall and Picnic kitchen.

The parish employed a lay Teacher for the School until 1920, being fortunate in securing as such men and women who were in love with their work and who succeeded in their task of developing the growing boys and girls of those years into the honest and thrifty men and women of the Parish of today.

Considering all these problems which forced good Father De Ceumynck in those pioneering days, and awe stricken almost at the wonderful and successful ways in which he and his devoted people solved them, we are not surprised to learn that in the evening of his life there should come a crippling infirmity and he should be obliged to relinquish his work into other and younger hands. His bodily afflictions were so intense that it was with great difficulty only that he could stand at the altar to offer the Holy Sacrifice. He himself asked to be relieved of the care of the Parish, and when the Archbishop, our own Archbishop Glennon, appointed Father Jacob Dennen [?] to succeed him, Father De Ceunynch, now useless in body but loved by his people, retired from the Rectory to spend his last years in the home of Mr. Alois Strelens [?], thus remaining amongst those whom he had served so long and so zealously until the Master should call him from the vineyard when he had labored so well. On the occasion of his twenty fifth anniversary in the Parish, Father De Ceumynck preached his last sermon to the people. He was wheeled to Church and from his invalid chair he spoke to those he loved for the last time.

Father Dennar arrived in September 1907, Minutes of meetings, [?] his Pastorate ]?] almost exclusively with ways and means of support of the Church, Good Father De Ceumynck, who was not wealthy, when he arrived at Belgique, had sufficient personal means that he was not wholly dependant on the Parish revenues for his support, in fact his own funds were used for many of the Church needs, nearly half of the School support coming from what should have been his own salary. The people were not wealthy but many were growing indifferent about their obligations to the Parish and so we read of a resolution passed at a Parish meeting in 1907.

“Whereas it will be necessary to adopt some plan for the raising of revenues for the support of the Pastor, Church and School in this the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish of Belgique - therefore be it resolved that we adopt a plan having four different sources of revenue, viz 1st Pew Rent; 2nd Per Capita Tax on Adults; 3d Per Capita Tax on Children between the ages of 7 and 17 years; and 4th, a Direct Tax on the property values of the Parishioners. The Pews shall be rented at auction to the highest bidder on the first day of January in each year, none to be rented for less than 12 dollars. The Per Capita Tax on every adult male or female 21 years or over and married persons under 21 years of age shall be 3 dollars annually. The Per Capita Tax on every child male or female between the ages of 7 and 17 years on the first day of September each year, shall be 1 dollar annually. The Direct Tax based upon the property values of the Parishioners shall be one half (½) cent on the dollar assessed value as obtained from the County Tax Book.”

Evidently, there were slackers amongst those Parishioners of thirty years ago as there are today, people who want all the advantages the Church offers but who will not shoulder their part of the burden permitting the Church to carry on her work. We read in the Minutes of the Parish meeting of January 1909; “The report of the receipts and expenses of the Parish was commented on and it was decided that the Property Tax rule in vogue last year had been a failure as a source of revenue on account of many refusing to pay the same. It was moved that said [?] be eliminated and that we look elsewhere for revenues. A motion was made and carried that every family in the Parish be taxed 3 dollars tax to be known as the Family Tax.”

A motion was made and carried that every Family should rent at least one Pew and every single person 21 years of age or over should rent one seat on ¼ of a pew.

“A motion was made and seconded that every person who was in arrears in his obligations to the Parish for the year 1908, wishing the use of the Priest, shall pay for Baptism the sum of 5 dollars, one dollar which is the priest’s stipend and the other 4 dollars to go into the Parish revenues. And for every sick call shall be paid by he or she the sum of 5 dollars all of which shall go into the Parish Revenues. And for every Funeral, he or she shall pay the sum of 25 dollars, 5 dollars being the Priest’s stipend, the other 20 dollars to go into the Parish revenues. Provided that all who have paid their arrears for said year shall not come under the rule of the section, and provided further that those who in the judgment of the Parish Priest are unable to pay their arrears, are not bound by this section.”

“Whereas there is constantly a need of ready funds in the Parish, be it resolved that the Trustees be empowered to fix the time at which the different Parish revenues shall be paid.”

“In the March 1909 meeting the Pastor reported:  The Church treasury has run empty and there is no money wherewith to pay the School teacher.” The Pastor was instructed to issue a call for the payment of dues in arrears and to expound the rules and penalties of the Parish regarding delinquent Parishioners.

Besides his zealous efforts to systematize the Parish support Father Dennar was intent also upon their spiritual advance. While in charge at Belgique he established the parish Branch of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, the Married Ladies’ Sodality, which is still active and has nearly every mother of the Parish enrolled.

Father Dennar was transferred to the Pastorate of St. Maurus’ Church at Biehle, Mo., and Father Charles Einig next week took charge of Belgique. He arrived on the Wednesday of Holy Week in 1909.

It was on December 7, 1910 that Father De Ceumynck was called by the Master of the vineyard from the heat and burdens of his earthly activities to the reward that is promised when this Life’s Day is done. He was buried, following the Solemn Requiem, in a temporary grave in the Parish Cemetery. Some three years later when the Crucifixion Group and altar was erected on the Cemetary, his body was reinterred and sealed in the vault that was prepared for it beneath his monument. Here his earthly remains awaiting with those whom he served, the call of the Archangel which shall summon all on the great Last Day.

The Reverend Edward Neels C.M., a newly ordained Priest of the Vincentian Community sang his first Solemn Mass here in the Parish Church on June 15, 1913. Father Neels is the song of John and Sophia Neels, one of Belgique’s original families. A daughter of this same family, Barbara, has also dedicated her life to religion, and is a member of the “Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet,” having the name of Sister Sophia in her religious life. Later she was followed by a niece, Agnes De Pauw, who in the same community bears the name Sister Cletus.

Unfortunately there is not a record of Special Parish events preserved - it would furnish interesting reading to us of these later times and recall to the older Parishioners happy memories that too quickly are erased unless we revive them from time to time.

Father Einig was succeeded by Reverend Adolph Range in October 1918. His ambition from the very beginning was to secure Sisters as teachers for the Parish Schools. One of the essential requirements demanded by religious Superiors is that a home be furnished for the Sisters. Belgique had none to offer and until such was provided it was hopeless to request any Mother House for Sisters. But the people of the Parish were just as ambitious as their new Pastor for the success of this project and their pledges were signed and generous donations covering nearly the entire amount required for the building of a combination School and Convent and also a new Rectory. These buildings were erected in 1919 are practically the same as they appear today. The School and Convent was erected on an addition to the rear of the Church, the Rectory was built behind the old house which was removed when the new one was ready for occupancy.

The years in which these parish projects were carried out were the times of high post-war prices when farm products were precious, and the farmers were glad to share their prosperity with the Church and her interests, hence these new buildings were practically paid for as soon as they were erected.

In September 1920 the School Sisters of Notre Dame from Sancta Maria in Ripa opened the classes in the new School . From the convent chronicle we copy:  “The First Friday of September 1920 is a landmark of progress in the history of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish at Belgique, Missouri. On this day the zealous Pastor, Reverend A. J. Range, welcomed the pioneer Sisters, Sister Mary Cunigunda, Sister Mary Eurose, and Sister Mary Sanktiva, to the Parish.”

“Under his directions his faithful parishioners had finished the neat four room convent. This neatly furnished home, the linens and bedding, the well-filled cellar and panty, all was a proof of their loyalty and cooperation and their hearty welcome for the Sisters. Everything bespoke a welcome. to every article from the smallest kitchen utensil to the largest piece of furniture was attached by a fancy blue ribbon, a little card bearing the donor’s name.”

School opened with an enrollment of 55[?[ pupils, but by October the number had increased to 77. Reverend Mother Petra had placed this new mission of her sisters under the protection of St. Joan of Arc.

The Sisters were not long in sampling life down in the lowlands along “Ole Man River.” During the high-waters of Spring 1922, they experienced what dwellers of Belgique had to expect when the Mississippi went on a rampage. These lines are from the Sisters diary?:

“The month of April 1922 was one of anxiety from the little community on account of the rapidly rising River which aroused much alarm. All feared a flood. The slightest rise or fall was recorded by the inhabitants. During Holy Week, men and even school children worked day and night to build the levee stronger and higher to save their homes and farms from this ravaging element.

It seemed almost a hopeless task and waste of energy. Seeing their useless fight some were on the point of giving up when the message from St. Louis quarters came: Hold your levees; a fall is expected tomorrow.” With renewed effort they set to work. Men were stationed at different points where the levee seemed weak to give warning if there was danger of a break. Next morning at daybreak, on Good Friday, after a rain that came down in torrents all efforts were vain. Next morning at about six thirty the cry, “the levee’s broke” was heard, and within two hours the little town of Belgique and 22,000 acres of land were flooded. In places the water was two or three feet deep in the first floor of the homes and in the low places only the roofs of sheds on barns were seen above water. Easter Sunday the people came to Church in skiffs which they tied to the Church gate. By Monday the water began coming into the very Church yard and as a further rise of water one and one half feet deep was predicted, the Reverend Pastor thought it advisable for the Sisters to leave. Next day, April 18th, the Sisters stepped into a skiff near the gate of the school yard and were rowed to McBride, a distance of five miles, crossing over the fields and even bashed wire fences. It required an hour and forty minutes to make the trip. From McBride the Sisters were taken to Perryville where they spent the night with the good Ursulines of St. Boniface’s. Next morning they started by auto for St. Louis, no trains were running out of McBride because of washouts between there and St. Genevieve. When within 38 miles of St. Louis they were told that they could not continue by auto as the Meramec River had risen three feet over the bridge during the night. Driving back five miles to Barnardt, after quite a delay, they boarded a train and finally reached the Mother House about 8 P.M.

Again in 1927 owing to flood conditions school had to be closed at the beginning of April, only the five who were finishing their 8th grade work and who found quarters nearby were taught so that they could receive their certificates from grade school.

Other Sisters who have labored in the Belgique Mission were Candidate Catherine (Now Sister Mary Theona), Sister Ornolda, Sister Margaret Cantona, Sister Thestista, Sister Medanda, Sister Caroline, Sister Agellia, Sister Octavia, Sister Francita, Sister Virginia, Sister Anacleta, Candidate Mary Margaret (now Sister Mary Anna) and Sister Aloysia. Sister Eurose, one of the first band, died at Washington, Mo on October 12th, 1927.

In August 1924 Father Range was transferred to the Biehle Parish and Father Charles Schmalli took charge of Belgique. During the latter’s Pastorate the new high altar was erected. It was secured thru donations from the various persons whose names are inscribed on a metal plate attached to the side of the altar.

On June 30, 1929, Father Schmalli was sent to St. Cecilia’s Parish, Meta, Mo. by the Archbishop and Reverend John S. Kelley was appointed to Belgique.

The Notre Dame authorities had requested that a change be made in the Sisters quarters. According to the original plans the two School rooms were located on the first floor of the combination building, and the Sisters living quarters occupied the entire second story. They asked that they be given rooms on the first floor for kitchen, dining and community rooms. During the vacation period of 1928, this remodeling of the School building was affected by erecting a kitchen on the North side, and partitioning the school room on that side into a dining and community room. On the 2nd floor of the South side the partitions were removed thus giving sufficient space for the second class room directly above the other. These changes were made but the good times of 1919-1926 had passed and the people had not the returns for their farm products which they had received a few years ago - so it is not surprising that the Parish should fall into debt as so many of the Parishioners were doing personally. Not only were debts burdening the Parish, but even current expenses could not entirely be met. The problem of sustaining the school was growing more serious each term. There was the fear of losing the Sisters.

Not only had Belgique suffered often from the” terrors of sea” when with its rising tide the “Mighty Mississippi” had proved its power but on May 2nd, 1930, she was struck suddenly by a terrible wind and hail storm that in less than a quarter of an hour mowed down the rich wheat fields that gave such promise of an abundant crop, stripped off the leaves and even the bark of the trees, blew out or shattered every window facing the West from whence it came. The Church property suffered as every other house in the vicinity, losing every window pane on the West side. Surely our little community must be dear indeed to the Master’s Heart for his chastisements have been frequent and varied.

Father Kelley was succeeded by Rev. Nauman in December 1930, and things looked far from promising at the time, but our hopes in God have not been confounded and thru His kindly providence we have been able to carry on. To solve the School problems which had become very grave, we compromised with the District, agreeing to furnish building and equipment if they in turn, to save heavy taxes on the community if we were to close our School, would contract with the Sisters as teachers and also supply textbooks which the State furnished gratis. This system has been in operation since September 1933 and is functioning satisfactorily. The religious instructions which is forbidden during school hours is taken care of by using the period from 8:30 - 9:00 A.M. each day for Catechism and Bible History; for the classes outside of that the Sisters follow the regular schedule prescribed by the State for Public Schools.

During the past year in preparation for this Golden Jubilee of the Parish, we have undertaken a program of improvement which has been carried out as fully as funds permitted. The Parish buildings have been repainted, the interior of the Church has been renovated, repaired and decorated, new side altars of Mary, our Patroness and of St. Joseph have been erected. Whilst there are still other plans which we would wish to carry out to beautify the dwelling place of God amongst us - we thank Him for his gracious blessings upon our endeavors and His grace which has inspired in our people a generosity that has made these improvements possible.

Looking over the accomplishments of these fifty years and remembering the services rendered by our Spiritual Superiors - should it not arouse a feeling of shame and regret that at times we may have rebelled, complained or even perhaps, opposed the efforts of those who were laboring only for our interest and welfare of our Parish? The appeals made by the Pastor are not selfish ones - he is intent only on developing that little portion of the Lord’s vineyard committed to his charge and the furthering of the Master's interests amongst those for whom he is responsible.

There have been happy times during these past fifty years and there have been sad days too for the Parish but conscious always of the imperfections of human nature in Priest as well as Laymen, it behoveth no man to judge, but aware of our own weakness to recommend our own and our neighbors needs to God who chooses the weak to confound the strong, and Who at times sends the clouds that we may appreciate the sunshine of His favors the more.

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Interesting data from the Parish Records:

There have been 878 Baptisms in the Parish up to January 1935.

The greatest number in any year was 29 which occurred in 1891, 1895 and 1902.

The smallest number was in 1934 with only 9

The first Baptism in the Parish was on January 11th, 1885, that of Mary Ida Tucker,.

Father De Cunynck’s last Baptism was that of Herman Francis Bowens [?] on Sept. 11, 1907

Father De Ceumynck baptised    463

Father Denner     baptised   18

Father Einig baptised   145

Father Range baptised   107

Father Schmalli baptised   60

Father Kelley baptised   32

Father Nauman baptised   53

There have been 155 marriages blessed in the Parish. The greatest number in any year was 8 which took place in 1902. In the years 1886, 1909 and 1933 there were none. The first marriage recorded in the Parish is dated Feb. 10, 1885 - Henry B. Neels and Crecentia N. Neidermaier. The last marriage blessed by Father De Ceumynck was that of Leonard De Pauw and Elizabeth De Kostin on Nov. 13, 1907.

Tuesday, May 21, 1935. Special services commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Belgique Catholic Church was held.

The Reverend Edward Neels, P.M. of Chicago, a former Belgique boy, was Celebrant. Rev. J.M. Huber of St. Boniface, Perryville, was Deacon and Rev. [?] former pastor of Belgique was Sub-Deacon. Rev. AD. [?] of Biehle, Master of Ceremonies. Rev. George P. Her]?], Pastor of St. Mary and Joseph Parish, St. Louis, provided the sermon. 

The following clergy attended:  (list of names of clergy, several illegible)

Sunday, May 26, 1935 the Golden Jubilee was celebrated with a Special Program of Speeches at 2 P.M. on the school grounds delivered by V. Rev. P. S. [?] of St. Genevieve and State Senator Geroge Rozier of Perryville, reviewing the History of Bois Brule Bottoms.

Picnic Dinner was served 3 P.M. and a dance to Midnight.

Source:  

"Perry, Missouri, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVY-5SDC-4 : October 25, 2023), image 6 of 43; Catholic Church. Christ the Savior (Brewer, Missouri), Catholic Church. Our Lady of Victory (Sereno, Missouri), Catholic Church. St. James' (Crosstown, Missouri), Catholic Church. St. John the Evangelist (Lithium, Missouri), Catholic Church. St. Joseph's (Highland, Missouri), Catholic Church. St. Rose of Lima (Silver Lake, Missouri).