.......St. Robert Bellarmine

HISTORY OF ST. ROBERT BELLARMINE CATHOLIC CHURCH

367 Old Highway 66, St.  Robert, MO  65584

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   St. Robert Bellarmine had its origin in the early days of World War II.  Fr. Herman J. Schuessler came from his parish in Dixon, Missouri to say Mass for the benefit of a few faithful Catholics in the Waynesville area beginning in June 1942.  As there was no church building available, he used a theater and served until January 1950. 

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Fr. Robert J. Arnold succeeded Fr. Schuessler at Dixon and built the first church of St. Robert, a concrete block structure, on the north side of Highway 66 on the site formerly occupied by the Arches Restaurant.  His Eminence, Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter, dedicated this church in 1951.  It was a mission church of the parish of St. Theresa in Dixon and remained so for ten more years.

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In discussing a parish patron saint, Cardinal Ritter asked Fr. Arnold what his first name was and he replied it was Robert.  The Archbishop said to call the church St. Robert, and to use as patron St. Robert Bellarmine, Jesuit Cardinal and scholar of the 16th century, who had been canonized a Saint in the year 1930.  A further item of interest is that the parish church name was also used as the name of the city of St. Robert.

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Fr. Leo A. Stamm succeeded Fr. Arnold in April 1954 and he continued to serve St. Robert as a mission of St. Theresa in Dixon.  St. Robert Bellarmine remained a mission until Fr. Charles A. Pfeiffer took up residence in St. Robert in October 1962, at which time it became an independent parish.  The parishioners felt a sense of family as they joined in dinners, dances and other social functions to raise money for a new church building.  The present church building, constructed during the pastorate of Fr. Pfeiffer, was first used in November 1964 and was dedicated by Bishop Joseph M. Marling in May 1965.  Resurrection Cemetery was developed in 1969 on the Church grounds.

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Among those who have served since St. Robert became a parish in its own right were Fr. Peter Walsh, February 1965 through April 1970; Fr. Arthur Mersinger, from April 1970 until September 1971; and Fr. Michael Flanagan, September 1971 through July 1972.  A great sadness struck St. Robert Bellarmine on June 20, 1974 when the pastor at that time, Fr. William D. Ludwig, died suddenly.  He had planned and started construction of the new rectory before God called him to his eternal reward.  Fr. Ludwig is buried in the parish cemetery.

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Msgr. Jerome Sommer was the first pastor to live in the new rectory.  Previously, a mobile home was used for the Pastor's residence.  Msgr. Sommer, shortly after retiring as a Chaplain in the Army, came to serve the people of St. Robert Bellarmine.  Msgr. served as Chaplain at Fort Leonard Wood for many years and when the present church was being built, and thereafter, he directed the generosity of his military flock to help out financially and in other ways, too.  Many of the present parishioners are or have been associated with Fort Leonard Wood.

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Fr. Tom Dolan served as Pastor from September 1986 until Fr. Russell Judge arrived in July 1988.  Upon his departure in July 1992, Fr. Brendan Lawless became Pastor.  On August 1, 1992, St. Jude Parish in Richland was attached to St. Robert and Fr. Lawless served both parishes until late 2000 at which time Fr. John Groner took over as Pastor.

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Today, guided by Fr. John Groner and the elected Parish Council, St. Robert Bellarmine is the faith home for people who come from all walks of life.  Ministering to families who have grown up in this area, those who have made their home here, and those who are here in service to the country, the Parish serves many generations and cultures.  Groups that started with the Parish, Altar and Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus, the Parish School of Religion, the Bread of Life Youth Group, RCIA, Cursillo and Marriage Encounter also strengthen the foundation of the Parish.  Thanks to the generosity and support of parishioners, the addition of a new Multipurpose-Education building is currently in the beginning stages and the completion of the building is being looked forward to with excitement by all! 

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