The parish was growing rapidly as all the improvements show, and there was a wonderful spirit among the people. An annual get-together and picnic was looked forward to by all. In September of 1876 we find a celebration aided substantially by four kegs of beer purchased from H. Haverkosse at $1.75 each, total $7.00.
  
The Fourth Of July usually meant a picnic, too either at the Fair Grounds or on the church grounds. Fr. John told the youngsters especially (in 1888) that "they should go to the picnic with their parents .. In the evening when it gets dark, go home (otherwise It is better not to go at all .. )"

 
Front of Rectory before 1907

The Young Ladies Society put on ail Ice Cream Social every year during August. But in 1888 "with the consent of the Trustees and parents, from now on every month on the last Sunday an extra collection will be taken for Church needs. (Not less than 5¢ is expected.)" Did the young ladies take up the collection themselves? It might have proved an inducement to some of the young men to give more if they had.
 
A concert was given on March 3, 1889, in the Town Hall for the benefit of the church.  Tickets were 25¢ adults, and 10¢ children and "even the farmers should attend." As a final inducement,  refreshments were to be served at the hall.
 
Everyone pitched in to help whenever an "Arbeit Gemeinde" was called for. On Sunday, October 16, 1887, Fr. John Ev. Wellinghoff, O.S.F. announced (in German):

Things got pretty sloppy when it rained without gutters or drairis, and the streets paved with nothing but God's own, good earth. On another occasion planks were procured to bridge the worst places. 

From 1892 there also comes a description of the religious ceremonies commemorating the Birth of the Lord.

On Sunday, December 25, (5 a.m. Standard time) Solemn High Mass was held. The Young Ladies Sodality received Holy Communion in a body - the musical part, Brown's Mass in B flat. Two hours later, at 7 a.m the second service, the childrens' choir sang the Christmas hymns, and at 9:30 a.m was held the main service of the day. Rev. John C. Heitman, assisted by Fathers Francis de Sales and Dismas, presided. The choir sang for the first time the beautiful solemn "Mass of Kain" and the Offertory: "Jesu Redemptor." At the end of Mass, a Christmas hymn was recited. The religious services of the day concluded with Solemn Vespers, Benediction and Holy God at 2 p.m.

One thing remained for tha parishioners after finishing the church with the steeple that reached toward heaven. The Bishop must see it. On May 7, 1893 it was told at Masses that he would soon be here.

"Confirmation at St. Louis Church"

Interior of Church after 1902

German was used in ordinary conversation, since most  everyone traced their ancestry or their own birth overseas. All announcements, sermons, prayers in church and school were in that tongue, but English was beginning to make inroads. A concession was made on December 11, 1887, when from the pulpit that Sunday morning this came: "Hereafter, there will be an English sermon every second Sunday after the High Mass." If anyone spoke only English he was not going to know about the English sermon as the announcement was made only in German! !
 
Two years later, August 18, 1889, the pastor had to tell the assembly: "Tomorrow is the opening of the school year. All the children must attend. Also, this year, at the desire of the Council of Baltimore, the Cathecism will be studied in English." In parentheses he made a note for himself - "Explain." It probably took a lot of explaining - such a radical change. "We liked it the way it was" I am sure he heard from the old timers - but not the children.
 
In 1907 we find Sunday announcemehts still being given in German but on January 13 this was the new plan: "Beginning today sermons will hereafter be alternately in German and English Today English at the early Mass; German at the High Mass. Next Sunday German at the early Mass, English at the High Mass." 

The Board of Trustees was always a strong influence in conducting the business of a parish. The Pastor and his Board worked very closely together and it was considered quite an honor to be elected to this office. Elections were held faithfully every year.
   
December 29, 1889, the electors were reminded: "After Mass there will be an election of Trustees for the year 1890. Qualifications according to the orders of the Bishop: 1) 21 years old; 2) a seat rented and paid for; 3) his children must be sent to Catholic school; 4) there must be no talk about his keeping bad company.
   
No less could be expected of a man who was second only to the pastor. Membership on the Board of Trustees was restricted to men. It has been only in recent years that women have been included. The Board of Counsellors of St. Louis Parish today includes elected and appointed members, presidents of the parish societies, Sister Principal, a representative of the lay teachers and heads of various committees, according to a new constitution that is being drawn up and adopted.

A quaint custom that was retained during these years was the so-called "Sitz Versteigerung" or "Pew Auction." On the appointed day, usually right after Christmas, the church bells would be rung and the parishioners would gather to claim a seat or seats at a price. Certain places in church were more desirable, especially the middle aisle from the center on back Side aisle pews were lower on the scale. It was a matter of prestige to advance, if possible, from the side aisle to the middle aisle. One's standing in the community was measured by how much was bid to obtain .a certain seat. Rivalry could develop about holding on to your place or bettering it if possible. Spirited bidding often resulted, or someone with a bit of impishness in them could "run the price up" on a seat they did not want but which they knew someone else desired very much.
   
On December 25, 1904, the auction was set for the next day, Wednesday at 9 o'clock:

(Notes taken from Liber Publicationum Ecclesiae ad St. Ludovicum, Batesville, Indiana, a die 18 a Oct. 1903 usque ad diem 25 am Februarii 1906" Notes are in German.)

 "Dec. 25, 1904: Tomorrow, Wednesday, there will take place in the school house the auction of pews beginning at 9 o'clock. We call to the attention of the members of the parish the following rules which must be observed:

1. Whoever has not yet paid his pew rent for 1903 (sic) will not be allowed to bid on a seat unless he has first had a conference with the pastor.
2. The cost of any seat in the pew can be paid at the auction, together with the other places in the same pew;
3. When someone has bid on a single seat, he does not have the right to any more. If someone takes over more places than he has a right to, we beg his neighbor to inform the pastor of this.
4. The new pew-holder has the right to take over use of the seat next Sunday - New Year's Day.

On October 5, 1907, the parish had a distinguished visitor from Rome. This was the Very Reverend Dionysius Schuler, the Minister General of the whole Franciscan Order, who arrived from Cincinnati on the 10:20 p.m. train accompanied by the Very Rev. Provincial Edward from Patterson, NJ. They conversed with the Fathers at St. Louis for an hour, then retired. The next morning they said Mass at 6 and 7 and the very Reverend Father General gave the papal benediction and addressed the congregation. After breakfast all went to the cemetery and prayed for the deceased, the General having a sister buried there, who was married to Charles Tekulve, also a nephew of his who was the on of his sister by her first husband. Later they went to Oldenburg to return here at 3 p.m. The 4:37 p.m. train took the distinguished visitors to Cincinnati.

The parish had no large meeting hall until the new school was built in 1922-23, but was very fortunate to have the use of Nickols Hall (the second floor of the building presently occupied by Nobby Clothing Store on East George Street). At least once a month there was a Euchre by the Ladies or Young Ladies to get money for a new linoleum in church, a new communion rail, etc. The men and young men had their meetings there on Sunday nights. It was the center of the social life of the parish for many years. In summer, though, picnics were held outside.

Announcement: June 19, 1915.

On Saturday all day beginning after Mass, the children of the parish will have their annual picnic on the church grounds. Dinner and supper will be served free to the school children and those who are still under school age. The others pay 25¢. The children's feast is to be a happy reunion as of one glad and loving family, of the entire parish. No one is too old to enjoy it. No one who is able to come ought to be so singular as to stay away from it altogether. The profits will be used to liquidate the church debt.