PETITIONS, PRAYERS SAVE OLD ST. VINCENT'S

It took prayers and petitions from parishioners to save the Old St. Vincent's Church, a downtown landmark in Cape Girardeau.

During the mid-1970s, the Catholic Church considered closing the historic church after a new building was constructed on the city's west end.

The "new" St. Vincent's Church was dedicated in 1976. The Most Rev. Bernard Law, bishop of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese wanted Mass to be celebrated at one location, particularly since a new building had been constructed.

A standoff began between those in Cape Girardeau who wanted to save the church and the diocese that wanted to maintain parish boundaries.

The Southeast Missourian first reported about the efforts to save the old church in early February 1977. Petitions had been started among parishioners after rumors circulated saying the church was going to be torn down.

The Rev. Martin J. Culligan, pastor of St. Vincent's Church, said he would like to see the church saved but knew that it would require too much money.

Culligan told the Southeast Missourian in a Feb. 12 article: "I would like to see the old church continue to be used, and personally hope that it can be preserved for the parish and the community."

But he acknowledged the difficulty in preserving the 124-year-old building and maintaining a new facility on Ritter Drive. Estimates from 1975 put repair costs near $250,000.

Like many in Cape Girardeau, Culligan knew the sentimentality of the old building, which has sat at Spanish and William streets since 1853. It has been the place of baptisms, first communions, weddings and funerals for generations of families in the city.

George Rousell, a member of the parish said, "I will do anything short of buying the church to save it, and I can't afford to do that by myself."

Members of the church and community began writing to the bishop and other church leaders asking that the church remain open. Several Main Street merchants and the Historical Association joined in the campaign.

A letter to the bishop from the association read: "In recent years the trend in all parts of our country has been to preserve its heritage. All over the country, buildings newer and of less significance than St. Vincent's Church are being preserved for various uses. It seems unreasonable to even consider abandoning any church with such rich heritage located in such a historic site."

The letter was sent Oct. 26, 1977, the same day the bishop issued a statement regarding the church's future.

Bishop Law said he appreciated the feelings of people who are sentimentally attached to the church because it holds their spiritual roots. "I also share in their hope that a way might be found to preserve this building as a house of worship."

Yet, Law reminded the community to keep in mind the parameters of such a decision within the church. He said the future of the church was an issue within the Catholic Church and would be dealt with in Catholic terms. He also said any decision must also be agreed upon by the Vincentians, who hold title to the property, and the diocese.

The spiritual care and development of the congregation at Old St. Vincent's Church should not weaken the life of the St. Mary's and St. Vincent's parishes, and the future use of the building will be subject to the accountability of the bishop, Law said in his statement.

Members of the historic association board understand the issues within the church and will respect the decision, but reminded the church that if Cape Girardeau has any downtown landmark, it is Old St. Vincent's Church.

After much hand-wringing and patience, Catholics in Cape Girardeau finally learned the fate of their hallowed worship site. Bishop Law gave the church a reprieve.

But the financial burden for maintaining Old St. Vincent's would fall to those who chose to worship there, he said. The church was given the status of "Chapel of Ease" of St. Mary's because it stands within the boundaries of St. Mary's parish.

The decision became effective Dec. 1, 1977. By that date, the bishop said, any members who want to choose Old St. Vincent's as their place for attending Mass must indicate their decision in writing.

By making such a choice, they became members of St. Mary's parish.

Many Catholics were upset by the requirement that they move into another parish. Rousell said the bishop "outsnookered" the parish.

He was quoted in a Nov. 13, 1977, article in the Southeast Missourian: "I don't want to change parishes, but I do want to attend church down there. I don't really know what I'm going to do.

"I helped pay for constructing the new church, and now that I'm retired, I'm not sure that I can dig deep enough to help restore the old church and then maintain it."

Rousell's concerns were similarly expressed by other parishioners who had helped pay for the new church and didn't want to be forced into a choice between St. Vincent's and St. Mary's parishes.

As part of the reprieve from the diocese, the Vincentians retained legal title for the land. Another part of the reprieve said if funds were secured for the renovation of the old church and Sunday contributions could maintain it, then Mass would be celebrated. If not, then the money collected through fund raising would be divided between St. Mary's Grade School, St. Vincent's Grade School and Notre Dame School.

By 1987, the Friends of Old St. Vincent's had raised enough funds to start an interior restoration project at the church.

Now the church still holds weekly Mass on Sundays. It has also been the site for many cultural events, including recitals, university plays and performances.

EARLY TIMELINE OF OLD ST. VINCENT'S CHURCH

1833 -- The Congregation of the Mission, also known as Vincentians, bought land in preparation for starting a Catholic parish in Cape Girardeau. Land was also acquired for St. Vincent's Male Academy, later St. Vincent's Seminary.

1836 -- The Rev. John Odin is ordained as the first resident parish priest for Cape Girardeau.

1839 -- A new Catholic church, made of native stone, is completed.

1850 -- In November, a tornado destroyed the Catholic church. Within six months, a new building is under construction at same site, using stone of old church as foundation for the new.

1851 -- Cornerstone of new church laid.

1905 -- Steeple struck by lightning.

1912 -- Steeple struck by lightning so shorter steeple raised.

1926 -- Hand-carved oak doors, more than 3 inches thick, are presented to church in memory of Mary Rozier Harrison.

1951 -- Church undergoes complete renovation. Paint removed, bricks waterproofed and entire building tuckpointed. Interior refurbished to original design.