St Alphonsus Catholic Church - Millwood, MO - Country Churches on Waymarking.com

County of church: Lincoln County
Location of church: 29 St. Alphonsus Rd., St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Millwood
Phone:(573) 384-6223
Architect: Henry P. Hess, of St. Louis
Contractor: Woods and Claiborne, of Louisiana, MO
Population of Millwood: 85

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"Ground was broken for the erection of the new brick church in March, 1926. Many delays have occurred in procuring material in time, but the work has progressed as fast as weather and other conditions would permit. After 18 months of almost incessant labor, the contractors, Woods and Claiborne, of Louisiana, have presented to the people of Millwood as fine a church as may be seen outside of the larger cities. The architect was Henry P. Hess, of St. Louis. It is built on the Romanesque type of architecture, with tower to correspond. Its dimensions are 109 by 53 feet, with 20 by 50 feet basement for the furnace and storage of coal. It is practically fireproof, well lighted and ventilated and has a seating capacity of 600. It is equipped with a steam heating plant with vapor system attached. The interior decorations or frescoe work will be taken care of as soon as the walls and ceilings have aged sufficiently. The choir galley has been built for the reception of a pipe organ which Father Carr hopes to have installed later on. The entire cost of construction when finished will be $52,000, which will include a remaining debt of about $5000. The interior of the church already presents a beautiful, inspiring appearance. Three beautiful altars of Scagliola marble have been donated as well as the statues of the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, the Sacred Heart, Sister St. Theresa the Little Flower and the Stations of the Cross, which are considered a rare work of art. A list of these donors, as well as the contributors to the church fund and the amounts given will be published later on. It reflects credit on the praiseworthy sacrifice of those who have accomplished this great work. Messrs. Woods and Claiborne say that our new church is of the most permanent and solid construction" ~ History of Millwood and St. Alphonsus Parish by Andrew Mudd Millwood, Missouri. November 17th, 1927 [in public domain, no copyright]

"At Millwood. The first log church was built sometime in the 1840s. This meeting house was replaced by a brick church which was destroyed by a tornado in 1876. That year another church was erected. This is the largest Catholic church in the county. Also spelled St. Alphonsus' Church. St. Alfonso, or Alphonsus, Ligouri (1697-1787) was an Italian theologian and Missionary." ~ TROY FREE PRESS, Jan 1, 1886, page 1; Mrs. W.F. Guinn; Mrs. W.J. Sledd

"After two years had elapsed and the number of families had increased to about twelve, the priest said to them: "Why don't you build a chapel of your own at some convenient place where all can meet and worship together." Though they had no capital to begin with this suggestion appealed to them and they at once started the selection of a building site. This happened to be the little hill on which the graveyard is located, and was the cause of the graveyard being located there. The first person to be buried in the graveyard was Martin Rush. As the church was to be built entirely with contributed labor, the men assembled from day to day in shifts, hauling the logs with oxen, hewing, notching, and placing them in position. They worked with great sincerity and though there was no effort at style, they endeavored to make it as neat as possible. Non-Catholics lent their aid and encouragement. The only money collected was one dollar, given by Captain Richard Wommack, a member of the Baptist faith. His descendants now number a large part of our congregation. In accepting this dollar, the settlers said that it looked to be about the size of a wagon wheel. It purchased all of the nails that were used in the construction of the building. We need not wonder at this when we realize that the buildings in those days were fastened together with mortises, wooden pins and ridge-poles. The little church, when completed, was 22 by 30 feet, with a sanctuary in addition, 12 by 16 feet, and a small gallery for the choir. The doors had wooden hinges and wooden latches." ~ History of Millwood and St. Alphonsus Parish by Andrew Mudd Millwood, Missouri. November 17th, 1927 [in public domain, no copyright]