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St.
Mary of the Woods Catholic Church
Mass:
In 1867 the Catholics purchased the old Presbyterian Church which they moved to the site of the present church at 407 South Walnut. After its consecration as a Catholic Church the Rev. James Murphy was appointed on September 7, 1867, as the first rector of the parish that would become known as St. Mary of the Woods. Baptisms during the first year included Lizze Megan, Michael Noonen and John Schelkopf. From 1868 to 1876 the Rev. Max Albrecht served as pastor. A cemetery site was purchased in 1875, and in 1876 the rectory was built. Father Charles Wensierski followed Father Albrecht
in the In 1881 Rev. F. Schrieber succeeded in 1884 by Father McGair. During the pastorate of Father McGair it became obvious that the parish had outgrown the old frame church. A new structure would be provided. Taking their teams and low wagons groups of three men of the parish made preparations for repeated trips to the brick yard of the Chillicothe-Sparland area. Wagons were carefully loaded so that the return trip might be started. Proceeding nicely until they reached a very steep hill, it was necessary for horses to the task of pulling one wagon to the top. It was necessary to repeat this process until the entire caravan reached the high point. Each making two trips a week, the groups of three were rotated until enough brick had been obtained to build the needed church. Contractors were Heitter, Best and John Bowman of Peoria. Bishop Spalding participated in the dedication of the newly completed church. One of the first marriages in the new church was Ben Harmon and Julia Nelson. Among those baptized in 1889 were Chrissie German, Sadie Harmon and Marie Purcell.
Bishop Spalding confirmed a large class in 1898. It consisted of twenty boys and thirty girls. Father O'Neil came to Princeville in 1901 to succeed Father Hauser. It was decided to build a new rectory and the old one was sold to the Cunninghams. Using a steam engine, Steve McDermott moved it to the Cunningham farm southeast of Princeville. The new rectory, one of the finest homes in town, was painted red and featured gleaming white trim. Other homes built at approximately the same time were those owned by Lucas Hofer, Joe Friedman, The Autens, Joe German, Dr. Wilcox, Dr. Price and Charles Taylor. St. Mary of the Woods added a chapel in 1910. Used for weekday Masses and catechism classes, it was heated by a stove placed in its northwest corner. Children of the parish attended catechism classes on Saturday afternoons the year around. Following the 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. instructions, everyone hurried to the depot to see the train come in at 4:15 P.M. In 1913 Father McKeon arrived as the new pastor. The Holy Name Society was organized, and men of the parish gathered at an early Mass on Sunday to receive Communion together. Another organization, The Knights of Columbus, organized a chapter with a membership of seventy. At first the hall above John Bliss' Drug Store was used for meetings and social gatherings. Later on an upper hall on the corner was purchased for club room space. Card parties and dances were often scheduled in this popular location. In 1919 Mrs. George McCarty donated the pipe organ to St. Mary of the Woods in memory of her husband. Thirty members of the Cathedral Choral Club were present to furnish a program of music for the dedication. Organists have been Mrs. Marguerite Long (Harmon) the longest number of years, Beatrice McCarty (Hall), Mrs. Hichey, Kenneth Bushman, Mary Alice Callery (Thomas), Margaret Mary O'Connor (Coyle), Karen Durbin, Debbie Conley, Tom and Pat Conely and Mrs. Cathy Hill. A significant purchase was made by Father McKeon during his stay in Princeville: a Ford Coupe. Calling it the "Tin LIzzie", he traveled to the out missions of Dunlap and Edelsein in it. When roads were impassable, he could be seen making his way to the Rock Island railroad tracks near the church. There a hand car would be waiting to take him to Dunlap. He would return to Princeville by the same means. Father Humphrey replaced Father McKeon in 1925. An older man, he had wanted to retire because of ill health, but filled the vacancy until Bishop appointed Father J.A. Gordon who spent twenty-seven years as pastor. Church properties were greatly improved. With the cooperation of parishioners the church was remodeled and redecorated throughout. Father Ralph Gates became pastor on February 25, 1954. The two out missions were combined and formed into a new parish and Father O'Brien became pastor of St. Clement's, Dunlap, IL. In 1956 the rectory was renovated inside and two new porches were built. Fr. Gates became ill and Father Maurus Bernabie came for a short time. Replacing him as assistant pastor was Father George Wuellner. Fr. Gates passed away in St. Francis Hospital, Peoria, IL, after an extended illness. Father William G. Smith came to Princeville on June 18, 1961. Many improvements were undertaken. St. Mary's Cemetery was the first project completed. The sanctuary was redecorated with refinishing of pews, replacing floor materials and installation of new alters. The crucifix, statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, as well as the Tabernacle, were imported from German. In 1974 the new Rectory was ready for use. On July 18, 1978 the new St. Mary of the Woods Hall and Catechetical Center was granted approval by the Bishop. In 1984 Father Smith retired because of ill health. The steeple of St. Mary of the Woods is now lighted at night which can been seen for several miles approaching Princeville. The above information is taken partially from the Sesquicentennial Princeville Illinois book from 1987.
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