by John Sorce
john.sorce@theleaven.org
OLPE — Although Archbishop Shawn McKnight was unable to be present, the 150th anniversary celebration at St. Joseph here brought a familiar face back to town.
Father Mark Mertes, vicar general and vicar for clergy and the parish’s former pastor, was on hand to mark the occasion the morning of Dec. 14.
“I remember the night 30 years ago when Joe Markowitz cut these benches,” Father Mertes said, pointing to the wooden pews. “This church is full of lots of memories for me, as it obviously is for all of you here.
“To be able to celebrate 150 years is quite remarkable.”
For parishioner Greg Markowitz, that story hits close to home.
“My family has been in Olpe forever and was part of the founding,” Markowitz said. “Father Mertes] mentioned my uncle Joe, who was a carpenter and did a lot of work here.
“For me, this place is faith and family combined into one.”
Mission days
The history of the church in Olpe dates back to 1875 when the Eagle Creek settlement was visited by Father Joseph Perrier, who established a mission there.
But the Catholics in Olpe were scattered and attended Mass both there and in Maydale.
Eagle Creek was located south of town and was the hub of where the early communities were built because of the fertile ground. The German farmers who settled in the area loved that ground and settled on both sides of the creek.
Maydale was home to a sister parish to the southeast. Some of the Eagle Creek settlers went to church there because it was more accessible by wagon.
Olpe’s first church
It was not until 1885 that Olpe received a permanent pastor, and the first Mass was offered in an individual’s home.
The first meeting to construct a church building came in the spring of that year. It was completed on Aug. 6, 1885, stood at just 20-by-50 feet and was across the street of the present-day church.
Additions were added in 1892 and again in 1896, but the increasing Catholic population made it clear a new building would be necessary, come the 20th century.
Plans to build a new church started in the fall of 1905 and it was completed and ready for dedication on Oct. 15, 1911.
That is where Mass is celebrated today.
‘Welcome home’
To have Father Mertes back meant a lot to the community.
“We loved Father Mark when he was here,” said Joyce Hoelting Ratcliff. “He still comes back for the barbecue out at Hoelting’s Grove every year and touches base with so many people.
“He’s special and we’re always thrilled when we get to see him.”
In his homily, Father Mertes asked the congregation a question: Who were we as people of faith?
It was that the same question that was being asked 150 years ago, he said, and that the church was established to meet the challenges of evangelization.
“My friends, I’ll tell you who we are,” he explained. “We are Jesus’ church and you have all been a light for this community.”
A generational community
This light for a community now dates back 150 years, and many of the parish’s founding families are still rooted here.
In addition to the Markowitz family, the Hoelting family has also been part of the Olpe community for generations.
“That’s the depth of the parish that we talk about,” Hoelting Ratcliff said. “My grandson was serving this morning, and his great-grandmother is who Father Mark referred to during Mass.
“They moved here from Texas because they thought this was God’s country. The Catholic Church was a big part of that.”
A note from the archbishop
While the archbishop was unable to be present, he did send a letter that Father Mertes read prior to his homily.
“As we near the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope, I pray that God might renew a spirit of faith, hope and charity in your parish community,” the letter read. “As you continue to carry out our mission together to bring tidings to the poor, may the parish of St. Joseph be a recognized center of charity and a sanctuary of mercy for all who are in need.”
The next 150 years
As for the next 150 years, Father Mertes said he hopes the St. Joseph community will be able to say they continued to proclaim the good news and pass down their faith.
“What I would like to leave you with,” he said, “is: What are people going to say in the year 2175, which is 150 years from now?
“I hope in the year 2175, people will say the community of St. Joseph in Olpe is built on a secure foundation and has handed on the Catholic faith.”
