PARISH TO CELEBRATE 150 YEARS OF WORSHIP

Immaculate Conception parish in Jackson, Mo., will celebrate 150 years of Catholic worship in the community Monday with an outdoor Mass at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse. The Mass will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The first Catholic Mass in Jackson was celebrated in 1850 on the courthouse steps. Although no priest was appointed to the community until 1874, the parish has been worshipping since 1850, said Monsignor Edward Eftink.

Vincentian priests traveling through the area often held Mass and served the spiritual needs of the community during the 20 years when no priest was assigned to the parish.

Deeds show the church began in 1850 and land was purchased, Eftink said. The original church was St. Lawrence, but the name was later changed to Immaculate Conception. Since 1879, a diocesan priest has been serving the parish.

The first church was built in 1854 on property at the intersection of East Adams and South Hope streets. That church was used as the site of worship until Aug. 15, 1962, when the current church and rectory were dedicated.

The existing church sits at 208 South Hope St.

The parish has planned a basket dinner and service at 6 p.m. this evening at the Knights of Columbus Hall. An outdoor Mass will be celebrated at the courthouse Monday night. The community is invited to attend.