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Thursday, April 02, 2009

Photos of Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois

HERE ARE PHOTOS of Saint Joseph Church, in the rural village of Meppen, Calhoun County, Illinois.  A part of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, this church is located about 43 miles — via road and and by boat — northwest of downtown Saint Louis, Missouri.

These photos were taken on March 6th.

View of Meppen, Illinois, USA, from roadside showing bluffs

Driving north from Brussels, is this view of the village of Meppen, situated in a hollow between tall bluffs, in the valley of the Illinois River.

Calhoun County, unlike most of the State of Illinois, was not glaciated, and so it retains a rugged character as seen here. The county was organized in 1825, and for the first 50 years of its existence, the main industry here was lumber. Timber is still plentiful, although peach and apple orchards now predominate.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - exterior

According to this history, the stone church dates from 1854. 

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - nave

Saint Joseph is part of the merged Blessed Trinity Parish, which also includes Saint Mary in Brussels and Saint Barbara in Batchtown. According to the 2009 Diocesan directory, the parish has approximately 1097 Catholics in 433 families.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - sanctuary

A closer look at the sanctuary.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - tabernacle and crucifix

Tabernacle and crucifix, behind the altar.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - baptismal font

Baptismal font and Paschal candle.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - Ninth Station of the Cross, Jesus Falls the Third Time

IXth Station of the Cross: Jesus Falls the Third Time.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - stained glass window

Attractive stained glass window.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - window detail

Zur ehre [to honor] St. Franciscus von Assisi.

German was the language of this village and church until 1918. According to this article, surnames found in the area include Siemers, Kiel, Sievers, Hillen, Brinkman, Bonner, Droege, Bloom, Moenning, Schleeper and Kronable.

The village of Meppen is named after the town of Meppen in the Emsland district of Lower Saxony, Germany. It was settled by immigrants from that region at least as early as 1848.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - pipe organ

Pipe organ in choir loft.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - stained glass window of Saint Joseph

Over the front door is this window of Saint Joseph, foster-father of Jesus.

Saint Joseph Church, in Meppen, Illinois, USA - cemetery

The church's cemetery is on a hill, a short distance west the church.

Click here for older photos of the church.

1 comment:

  1. This is one you should not miss. It is beautifully located in Calhoun County Il. in a wonderful rural setting near the Mississippi river. It is charming and has much to see. It was open when I stopped by and it was a good time for some quiet reflection. Close to the church is a beautiful little parish cemetery filled with the early german settlers to the area of Meppen

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