St. Louis Catholic Church

The first organization in the, fledgling parish was the St. Louis Men's and Young Men's Aid Society. Founded April 6, 1873. There were forty-four names on the original roster. They met faithfully once a month, usually on a Sunday night in Nickol's Hall, until space became available on church property. The meetings often discussed important things about the church affairs and plans for the future. Meetings were well attended. They were looked forward to in the days before the automobile, TV and the many amusements we have today. At the business meetings the members felt as if they were accomplishing something and afterwards there were refreshments, cards or just plain visiting with friends in a congenial atmosphere. 
  
The St. Elizabeth Society must have been founded about the same time as the men's societies the records seem to indicate. The ladies were ever ready to put on some kind of benefit to pay for the many needs of the church. They cleaned the church, mended the linens and worked wherever needed. Their spirit of helpfulness has never waned' over the years. 
  
There was also a St. Rose Young Ladies Society founded May 22, 1874. It, like the St. Aloysius Young Men's Society (founded February 15, 1874), served its purpose for many years, then fell a victim to changing times. 
  
On March 21, 1886, the Sodality of the Boys and another of the Girls was started and they continued their good work until they no longer fitted in with the habits of the youth.
   
The Third Order of St. Francis, as was to be expected in a parish served by Franciscan Fathers and Sisters, has been active for many years. Their charter goes back to 1884. This group of adult men and women seeks to follow St. Francis of Assissi in his imitation of Christ. They live poverty, chastity and obedience according to their state of life. 
  
On November 3, 1945, the Men's Society joined the International Holy Name Society. When the Council of Catholic Men was organized in the Archdiocese, St. Louis Men were federated with them.
  
When the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women was started in November of 1938, Bishop Ritter appointed Mrs. John Romweber of Batesville as Lawrenceburg Deanery Treasurer and Mrs. William Barnhorst as Deanery Organization Chairman. The first quarterly district meeting was held in St. Louis Auditorium on February 16, 1939. The parish units of affiliation are the St. Elizabeth Society and the Little Flower Club. 
  
Mrs. Joseph Schroeder, Mrs. Walter Bierbusse and Mrs. Millard Laugle of Batesville have served as Deanery President at various times.
   
The Catholic Youth Organization serves the youth of. the parish and provides them spiritual, social and athletic activities. They have their own clubrooms in the school.
   
Other organizations in the parish that are very flourishing at this time are the P.T.A. and the Little Flower Club. The former promotes cooperation and communication between the school and the parents and seeks to better the education opportunities of the. children in school. They provide teacher aids, volunteer cafeteria help, library helpers, etc., and their many money making affairs have supplied material and equipment needed for education. The latter is a group of ladies who sponsor an afternoon card party once a month and work at setting tables and serving dinners at the many dinners put on in the school cafeteria for others than the children. 

Officiers of Church Societies 1968 - R. Boehmer, E. Kurtz, A. Noble, M. Krekler, F. Noble, H. Hirt, F. Stein, C. Hertel, R. Prickel, M. Weigel, M. MHler, T. Crusemeyer, K. Niese, L. Niese. R. Burke, R. Zimmerman, R. Heinlein, R. Grieshop, F. Stein, T. Wintz, E. Enneking.

During the pastorship of Fr. John C. Heitman, O.F.M. (1891-1895), the Knights of St. John was organized in the Catholic Parochial School building on July 2, 1893. The Spiritual Advisor was Fr. Capistran; President, August Bloemer; Vice-President, Frank Fragge; recording and corresponding secretary, Chas L.Johnson; Financial secretary, Geo. Mitchell; treasurer, Adolph Vascou. Board of Trustees: Frank Fragge, Ben Fisher, Herman Riesenberg and Martin Benz. Officers: Captain, Herman Riesenberg; 1st Lieutenant, Frank Thiel, 2nd Lieutenant, Ben Fisher. The name adopted by the Commandery was the "The Knights of St. Ludwig" (St. Louis). The Knights have built their own building on Vine Street which was dedicated on October 30, 1960.

Knights of St. John - Front row: Herman Riesenberg, Jacob Drescher, Frank Fragge, Louis Dietz, Mike Hoiopp, Quirin Vonderheide, Martin Benz, Wm. Martin, Frank Mehlon. Frank Thiel. Back row: Jacob Bachus. Aug. Fischer. Adolph Vascou, Geo. Thieman. Ben Buenke. John Beusendorf. Chas. Johnson. Geo. Doll. Frank Erne. Jos. Kleimeyer, Ben Fischer.

Late in the year 1896 two Knights of St.John, Mr. Geo. Thieman and Mr. George Mitchell, met with several ladies of St. Louis Parish and organized a Ladies Auxiliary. The charter was granted on May 4, 1897, by the Supreme Auxiliary. Thirty-four members composed the first group. The first president was Bridget Martin. Elizabeth Fischer was the first secretary. These officers were installed by William Martin and William Strauss. 
  
Originally the ladies met in their homes, then later in Mechanics Hall, Workman's Hall, Nickol's Hall, the Knights of Columbus Hall, St. Louis Auditorium and now in the new Knights of St. John Home. 
  
As the organization increased, a brilliantly uniformed Drill Team was formed under Captain Frank Thiel and August Bloemer. Catherine Hackmann was the captain of this team. Through the years the Drill Team has won many prizes and trophies in competition with other drill teams of the area. They form an honor guard at the Vigil for deceased members.

Ladies Aux. Sewing Circle Around 1900 - Top row, from left: to right: Mrs. John Gauck, Mrs. Schoenirup, Mrs. Bosse. Mrs. Mehlon, Mrs. John Hillenbrand. Second row from top: Mrs. Tieman, Mrs. Strauss, Mrs. Dirschell, Mrs. Dresher, Mrs. E. Vascou. Third from top: from left to right: Mrs. Kate Bene. Miss Minnie Vonderheide, Mrs. Mary Mitchell. Lower row, from left to right: Mrs. Fragge. Mrs. Louis Dietz, Mrs. Anna Doll. Mrs. Mary Vonderheide.

Council #1461, Knights of Columbus, was organized in the city of Batesville on the 28th day of December, 1909, with the following officers: Chaplain: Rev. Clementine Broermann,O.F.M.; Grand Knight, John Hillenbrand; Deputy Grand Knight, Anthony J. Lindenmeyer; Recorder, Clarence H. Andres; Treasurer and Financial Secretary, Charles J. Doll; Chancellor, Charles Hirt; Warden, J .A. Oehlreich; Advocate, John Meyer; Inside Guard, Theodore Suttmiller; Outside Guard, John H. Wernke; Trustees. Charles Johnson, Ben Kessing, Joseph Schroeder. 
 
First meeting was held in Nickol's Hall on above date.
   
Original members: 49.
   
April 10, 1910, First Knights of Columbus degree exemplification was held.

A building on Main Street was purchased before the second meeting in January, 1910. The present building (1968) on the southwest corner of Main & Boehringer Streets and adjoining their first building was purchased in 1956.