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St. Bridget Parish An enduring example of good stewardship By Bridget Locke | Photos by Megan Marley
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ast October — with Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. presiding at Mass, as well as current Pastor Father Curt Vogel and several former pastors serving as concelebrants — parishioners and well-wishers gathered to commemorate the sesquicentennial anniversary of St. Bridget Parish in Pleasant Hill, Mo.
Clearly, a 150-year legacy provides reason enough to celebrate; the number alone demonstrates longevity and tenacity. But a deeper dive into history uncovers more meaningful inspiration. Many acts of faith, hope and charity can unfold over a span of 54,750 days.
Mi ss ion and mo t i vat i o n The St. Bridget Parish story started in 1867, when Cass County, Mo., Catholic families — mostly Irish railroad workers — gathered monthly to celebrate Mass in one another’s homes. Eventually, they desired a church in which to worship, so the men of their community consulted with Archbishop Peter Kenrick of the Archdiocese of St. Louis (where Cass County
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Catholic Key • February/March 2022 • catholickey.org
learn more about St. Bridget Catholic Church
was then located) and requested that he purchase land for a structure. He obliged, and on May 13, 1868, the mission of the church was canonically established. Construction commenced at South Jeffreys and Locust streets in Pleasant Hill and was completed in 1870. As the families stood witness in 1871, Bishop John J. Hogan of the Diocese of St. Joseph dedicated the church to Saint Bridget of
at stbridgetph. weconnect.com
