St. Louis Catholic Church

It was apparent to everyone that a flourishing parish needed a school Accordingly, in 1871 the congregation joined with Fr. Louis in construction of a school house of brick. 
 
It was a square boxy-looking affair with a belfry on top in the middle where the roof came to a peak. It was not built for looks, but for useability.
 
There were two rooms for classes downstairs, heated by pot-bellied stoves in winter. Fuel from the surrounding woods was abundant. The same material served as an instrument of discipline when fidgety youngsters misbehaved in school.
 
Upstairs the area was partitioned into living quarters for the Sisters. There were only four grades. Sister M. Julitta had the little room and Sister M. Blanche the bigger children. The cost of the building was $5,000.
 
These Sisters were from the Oldenburg Community of Franciscan Sisters founded by Fr. Rudolf. They have continued to serve the school without interruption all these years. Their example of sacrifice and their educational methods have been one of the biggest blessings that God has bestowed on the parish. The fine spirit of Catholicity prevalent in Batesville is testimony to their efforts.

St. Louis School Before 1904

St. Louis School Before 1909

St. Louis School After 1909

In 1907 September, school opened with 166 children in attendance and a full eight grades with school upstairs and downstairs. Children from six years were taken in. Parents were reminded of their serious obligation before God to send their children to a Catholic school "where, besides a good secular education they will also receive a good religious training, and besides learn what their holy faith demands of them. Whoever has more than two children from the same family that are enrolled in the parish school is obliged to pay tuition for only two."

“All the world’s a stage” said Shakespeare and the people of St. Louis of all ages proved the point. The children had their annual Christmas drama. Dec 29, 1907 the boys gave a performance of “The Poachers” and the girls “Weihnachts Traum” (“Christmas Dream”). The Town Hall was the scene and it was so filled on that day that a repeat performance was given on January 1. The Pastor, Fr. Clementine, proudly announced they had cleared $115.00 profit. 

The first of many “Passion Plays” was given in March 1931. A Drama Club that flourished for many years was directed by Fr. Fridolin Schuster, O.F.M. Two to three plays were given yearly and the cast was always photographed. As a result, many parishioners have photos today of plays in which they acted. Jimmy Saunders did the directing in titles like: “The Cat Came Back”, “Grecian Princess”, “Here Comes Charlie”, etc.

First Passion Play, March 22, 1931

An article from the "Batesville Herald-Tribune" of April 2, 1931, has this:
 
"When it was announced that the St. Louis players were making plans to stage the "Passion Play" as it is sometimes called, many persons were of the opinion that they had undertaken the impossible. However, those persons changed their opinion after seeing the first staging of the play that night of Sunday, March 22 . . 
 
The costumes which were designed and made by Mrs. W. M. Barnhorst were probably the most elaborate and colorful ever used in a local stage production . . . The music and singing, directed by Miss Rosemary Blank and John Dennert, also helped to provide the proper setting .

Musical, "Hop O' the Thumb," by St. Louis School Children around 1927-28

Trustees and Clergy 1915 - Left to right. rear: Fr. Urban Freundt. O.F.M.: Joseph Kurtz. Mike Benz. Jr. Left to right. front: Wm. Weigel. G. M. Hillenbrand. Fr. Fulgence Meyer. O.F.M .. Fr. Accurs Tonnes. O.F.M.

Fr. Urban Freundt, O.F.M. had been appointed Pastor in summer 1915. He was to remain only one year when he would he appointed Rector of St. Francis College in Cincinnati. In October ot 1915 he told the people that the campaign for a new parochial school would be inaugurated on January 1. With but four classrooms and over 200 children the 1871 building was far too crowded and lacked necessary facilities. It was evident to all that they must start at once to gather funds to meet this pressing need.
   
In 1916, Fr. Adalbert Rolfes, O.F.M. took over as Pastor and he set about implementing the plans of his predecessor. In February 1916 a "Building Committee for the new St. Louis School" had been appointed. On it were: John Nickol, Frank Meyer, Michael Benz, Jr., John Hillenbrand, August Hackmann, Charles Doll and August Bloemer.
 
Seven more years were needed till Fr. Adalbert and his Board could present to the parish, the children and the Sisters a new school, shining, beautiful and adequate for their needs. It contained seven class rooms, an auditorium, kitchen, dining room and other auxiliary rooms. The corner stone had been set in place September 10, 1922. Howard MeClory, of Cincinnati, was the architect, Gutzwiller's of Batesville the contractors. Dedication date was November 25, 1923, Sunday afternoon. The Batesville Tribune of November 22, 1923, reports: 

Extensive preparations are being made by the clergy and members of St. Louis congregation for the dedication of their handsome new school building next Sunday . . . solemn High Mass at 9:45 . . . Rev. Edmund Klein, O.F.M. the Provincial of Cincinnati will be the celebrant and the sermon will be delivered by a former pastor of St. Louis congregation, Fr. Urban of Cincinnati.

  
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the school dedicatory sermon will be delivered in the church by the Right Rev. Joseph Chartrand of Indianapolis and following the church services the members of the parish with their visitors will move in processional to the new school building where the dedicatory services will be held . . . the entire building with its equipment and the heating plant, which was completed last season, representing an investment of approximately $150,000.00.

There is a story told about acquiring the property where the school was built. On the location was a lumber yard owned by John Hillenbrand. Everyone knew that this was the ideal spot to erect the building and that the church wanted to buy the land. On Sunday night, so the story goes, the men had a meeting and Mr. Hillenbrand was present. The Pastor, with a pleased look on his face, said he was happy to inform the group that Mr. Hillenbrand was going to sell the property to the parish. Mr. Hillenbrand stood up and said he begged to differ, he was NOT going to sell the property to the church. A shocked hush fell over the audience. "I am going to GIVE it to the parish if the men will clean the place up!"

Laying Cornerstone of Second School September 10, 1922

Architect's Watercolor of St. Louis School 1922

Due to the foresight of the builders, this building was adequate for about thirty years. By then enrollment was over 350; new plans had to be formed and a new addition started under Fr. Friedbert Adams, O.F.M. in 1952. The same architect and the same contractor, Howard McClory of Cincinnati and Gutzwiller's of Batesville, who had teamed together in 1922 to construct the second school, now joined forces again to erect this building.
   
On May 10, 1953, Archbishop Schulte presided at the dedication of the $120,000 annex which houses 5 classrooms, principal's office and various auxiliary rooms. The eighth grade had already moved in on March 26 and the others followed later.

By 1959 it was again becoming evident that the school would need more room if it were to continue to offer quality Christian education to all the children of the parish of elementary school age. Before Fr. Victorian could make any advanced plans, he was transferred. The succeeding and present incumbent, Fr. Stephen Schneider, O.F.M., picked up here and with the aid of a fund drive late in 1960 got ready to build. The Fund Drive, under the overall supervision of Msgr .Victor Goosens of Indianapolis and with Mr. Marvin Hirn as general chairman, met with tremendous response' from the parishioners. Within six weeks over $240,000 was realized in cash and pledges. . 
At the suggestion of the Archbishop, Charles M. Brown of Indianapolis was hired as architect. Andrew H. Schneider, of Cincinnati, was retained as the engineer. Cord Bros., of Shelbyville, were the general contractors; Burkhart and Gehl, of Greensburg, were electrical contractors and Flodder Bros., of Batesville, plumbing contractors. 
  
Easter Sunday, April 2, 1961, an unseasonable and extremely cold day, ground-breaking took place after the 8 o'clock Mass in the presence of interested parishioners and with the Building Committee, the Trustees, the Sisters and Pastor participating. It was a sad day for the pastor, however, for just three hours before he had received a phone call that his mother had passed away.
 
Working Saturdays and holidays, the contractors had things so well along by September that the two seventh grades could be housed in the completed basement on opening day of school, September 5. The school had a record of 609 enrolled that year and no one knows where all the pupils would have been put if the new space had not been at least partially ready.

Dedication of this newest addition was performed by the Very Rev. Sylvan Becker, O.F.M., the Franciscan Provincial Superior, on Sunday, November 26,1961. Rt, Rev. Msgr. James Galvin, archdiocesan Superintendent of schools, gave the main address. Attending the ceremonies were the Batesville superintendent of schools, Charles Swain, and representatives of the City Council and School Board. Crucifixes and holy water fonts donated by various parishioners and made by William Weberding were placed in all the classrooms.
 
This latest enlargement contains six classrooms, two libraries, science laboratory, audio-visual room and other facilities and cost $200,000 furnished. 

Dedication of School Addition 1961