St. Mary marks 150th anniversary

At the corner of William Street and Sprigg streets, hundreds gathered Sunday at St. Mary Cathedral to celebrate the parish's 150th anniversary with music, food, games and community.

For the last century and a half, St. Mary's has stood at the same street corner with the same building.

An immigrant church founded in 1868 with German roots, St. Mary is now made up of several different cultures woven among roughly 1,000 households.

"We believe in staying in this part of town; a good anchor to support people," said Lisa Simmons, the family life ministry coordinator for the parish. "So this year, in celebration of our 150th, we've invited everybody from the neighborhood to come."

The first year the annual picnic has been held outside and anticipating roughly 500 guests to enjoy their afternoon on the grounds, the parish had hot dogs, snow cones, games and live entertainment available to keep the festivities alive.

Crystal Honey and her daughter, Riley, 8, look at old photographs during the 150th annual St. Mary Cathedral picnic Sunday in Cape Girardeau.KASSI JACKSON

"In some ways we think it's symbolic that we've been here -- stable, solid -- as the town [has] grown, we've kept a part of South Cape," said Father Allan Saunders.

The parish supports community programs, including Birthright and pro-life activities, while also maintaining a food pantry and a utility assistance program.

Through church events such as parish dinners and their annual picnic, congregational members and other members of the community are able to hear about these community programs while also visiting with folks they might not see on a regular basis.

Holding five different masses each weekend, Simmons said events like the annual picnic give congregational members a chance to all come together at one time, while still giving back to the community.

"I think it's a testament that people say we need to be where God wants us to be and that will help us continue to be a solid parish," said Father Saunders.

kjackson@semissourian.com

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