The parish's old church is now a chapel. According to the parish history:
On June 24, 1945, in the presence of twenty-five people, ground was broken by Father William Pezold, the Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Cottleville. The cornerstone, of what is now St. Joseph Chapel, was placed on August 26, 1945, by Monsignor (later Bishop) Leo Steck, with the Most Reverend John J. Glennon, Archbishop of St. Louis, presiding. It was Archbishop Glennon who designated the parish to be named "Immaculate Heart of Mary", the first parish in the Archdiocese with that title. The parish was comprised of about twenty families at that time. Several of the "charter members", and many of the children of these families, are still members of the parish.Mass is offered in this chapel Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. followed by the Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration is here from Monday at 8:30 a.m. through Friday at 2:00 p.m.
The blessing and dedication of the church took place on Sunday, December 9, 1945....
The village of New Melle is named after Melle in Lower Saxony, Germany. According to the 2000 federal census, nearly half of New Melle's residents claim German ancestry. According to Goodspeed's History of 1882:
It is located in the midst of a rich farming country, in Callaway township, eight miles from the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railway, and twelve miles from the Missouri river. Samuel F. Cunningham, a Virginian, located near the present site of the village in 1834, but the town was not laid out until 1848. Ernst Bannerman was the first settler on the town site of New Melle, arriving there in 1840. Henry Hardach came about the same time, and yet resides near the town. Franz Henry Porter secured the government grant for the land upon which the town is built, erected the first house and practically laid out the place. He died soon after 1848, leaving a large family, many of whom still reside in New Melle and vicinity. Conrad Weinrich, who yet resides there, passed through the place in 1837, but did not locate permanently until 1851. He is now the oldest living resident.
The town does a thriving trade, being supplied with all the necessary stores and a mill. Its location is high and dry, and consequently healthy. The rich prairie soil to the north-east and north-west of the town, has brought to the vicinity a class of well-to-do farmers, whose presence guarantees to New Melle a prosperous career. There are two churches here; the town has the best of school facilities, and its people are a cordial and hospitable community.
The new church is adjacent to the old chapel. According to the parish history,
In 1997, a Capital Campaign was launched to build a new church to accommodate our growing parish family. On December 16, 2001, ground was broken for the new church, and active construction started on January 2, 2002. Our new Church was dedicated on May 4, 2003.Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is analogous to the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and is to inspire in us Mary's love for her son. Mary's Immaculate Heart is often portrayed in art being pierced by a sword (see Luke 2:35).
Address:
26 West Highway D
New Melle, Missouri 63365
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