Annunciation History

Father Ryan arrived in Webster Groves with a stole and a few surplices and began at once to find "a temporary home" for this new parish. He contacted the Sisters of Mercy, located on South Laclede Station Road in Webster Groves, to ask if they might relinquish a portion of their facilities to us for Sunday Mass. From the outset, the enthusiasm of these Sisters manifested itself by their many charitable deeds in attending to the needs in developing our new parish. At the kind invitation of the Sisters of Mercy, Father Ryan resided for several months in the chaplain's quarters in the Convent. Never can we forget our debt of gratitude to the Sisters of Mercy!

Arrangements being completed for the use of the audi­torium in rear of the St. Joseph's Convent of Mercy, the Pastor began to gather the appointments and furnishings necessary for the temporary church. From the Old Annunciation Church were brought the baptismal font, statues, Communion rail and pews. It required much manual labor and time to first dismantle and move these items and then condition and make them ready for use in our temporary Chapel. Time and labor, we might point out, were graciously donated by some of the men in the newly established parish. On Sunday, September 10, 1950, at 6:30 A.M. the First Mass was celebrated in the temporary Chapel of the Sisters of Mercy auditorium, with thirteen people in attendance. The Pastor also said the 8:00 A.M. Mass, while the celebrant of the 9:30 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. Masses was the Reverend Daniel Martin, C.M. The total collection on this Sunday amounted to $185.18. The time of the week-day Mass was 7:00 A.M., while on Saturday the Mass was celebrated at 8:00 A.M. The original parish census indicated there were two hundred and ninetytwo families; the majority of these families came from Holy Redeemer, some from Mary Queen of Peace and a few from St. George's Parish. We remained in the auditorium Chapel of the Mercy Convent until Saturday, May 2, 1953.

Our parish colors of blue and white were exhibited for the first time for this event. A large gathering of priests, sisters and lay people witnessed the ceremony on an unusually warm and sunny day in January, the temperature climbing to the middle 60's. The erection of the new building proceeded rapidly. The cornerstone laying ceremony was held on Sunday, April 26, 1953, with the Right Reverend Monsignor Peter J. Dooley, Dean of Webster Groves, officiating.

Realizing truly "a dream come true", the ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL was opened on Monday, October 13, 1952, under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy. Five nuns and two lay teachers comprised the teaching staff, with a total of three hundred and twenty-nine pupils enrolled in kindergarten and eighth grades. During the second year the enrollment climbed to four hundred and forty-four, and the school enrollment during the third year was up to five hundred and one.

Another milestone in the history of our infant parish was reached with the completion of the NEW CHURCH. The FIRST MASSES were said on SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1953, at 6:00,7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 A.M. The six o’clock Mass was a Solemn High Mass, celebrated by Father Ryan, assisted by Father Owens as Deacon; Mr. John Valenta, S. J., Sub-Deacon, and Mr. William Kekeison, Master of Ceremonies. The celebrants of the other five Masses were Bishop Cody, Father Owens, Father Cahill, Father Lodes and Father Hoffman. Dedication exercises for the combination church and school building were held on Sunday, August 30, 1953, with His Excellency, Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter, S. T. D., officiating at this ceremony. This occasion was further distinguished by the presence of the Right Reverend Monsignor George P. Keating, the Right Reverend Peter J. Dooley, the Very Reverend Thomas A. Cahill, C. M., Reverend Clarence A. Corcoran, C. M., Reverend Henry A. Hoffman, Reverend Edmund H. Stolz, and the late Reverend Charles P. Maxwell.

 

General Views of Attendance at Dedication

 

Father Ryan served as pastor until 1965. In addition to Father Ryan our pastors include:

• 1965 - Reverend John P. Cradick: 1965-1966 administator, 1966-1971 pastor
• 1971 - Reverend Robert Argent: 1971-1972 administator
• 1972 - Reverend Msgr. Bernard E. Granich: 1972-1983 pastor
• 1983 - Reverend Robert G. Ditch: 1983-1995 pastor
• 1995 - Reverend Denny M. Schaab: 1995-2005 pastor
• 2005 - Reverend Mark A. Dolan: 2005-2010 pastor
• 2010 - Reverend Bob Evans: 2010-2015 pastor
• 2015 - Reverend Michael J. Esswein: 2015-2016 administrator, 2016-current pastor

Our priest in residence since 2013, Reverend Msgr. Mark S. Rivituso, V.G. became the Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Louis in May of 2017.

While history focuses primarily on leadership and even buildings, we know it is really about how the parish family works to become more Christlike. We are proud to be a part of that continuing progress.

Pertinent Facts About the Parish and School:

• First Baptism in the Chapel: September 17, 1950 - Arnold Gary Cullen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Cullen.
• First Burial was that of Mrs. Louise Westfall on March 2, 1951.
• First Marriage in the Chapel: July 12, 1951 - Dr. Louis E. Litsch and Rose Bacigaluopo.
• First Holy Communion Class in the Chapel: Sunday, May 25, 1952 - nine boys and girls attending public schools received the Holy Eucharist on this day.
• First Baptism in the New Church: May 3, 1953 - Margaret Mary Mueller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Mueller.
• First Burial in the New Church: May 5, 1953 – Mrs. Annie Hunthausen.
• First Marriage in the New Church: May 9, 1953 - Louis J. Basile and Catherine F. Nelson - Father Ryan officiating.
• First Holy Communion Class in the New Church: May 17, 1953 - sixty-seven boys and girls attending our school and the public school, received the Holy Eucharist.
• First Graduation Class from Annunciation School: Sunday, June 7, 1953 - sixteen boys and girls received their diplomas at the 9 A.M. Mass.
• Our First Confirmation Class: September 24, 1953 - 8:00 P.M. - His Excellency, Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter, S. T. D., conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on two hundred boys, girls and adults.
• On May 8, 1955, ninety-seven children received their: First Holy Communion.
• On Friday, May 13, 1955, His Excellency, Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter, S. T. D., acceded to the Pastor's request for permission to erect a new Rectory.
• On Friday night, June 10, 1955, thirty-seven boys and girls will be graduated from our school.
• The Women's Guild and the Men's Club were organized in September and October 1950, respectively.
• Since the parish was established, we have had a total of three hundred and ninety Baptisms, thirty-five Marriages and fifty-five Burials.
• The present census shows six hundred and seventy-five families in the parish.

Other Facts About the Parish

• The location of the parish site cost $35,000.00.
• The construction of the building cost $456,000.00. Furnishings and appointments for the church and school amounted to approximately $50.000.00 - architect's fees, protection bonds, incidentals raised the cost to $600,000.00.
• Our debt has been reduced to $387,000.00.
• The building, a highly functional one, is equipped with the most modern furnishings and appointments.
• The school building has eleven classrooms, a medical room, library and faculty room.
• The church has a seating capacity of six hundred. Beneath the church is the auditorium with a seating capacity of five hundred. A modern cafeteria serves well the needs of school and all parish affairs.

Conclusion

The history of the ANNUNCIATION PARISH covers a period of FIVE YEARS, but they are years that will be rich in memories. It is a story of challenge, met by the parishioners, of telling cooperation and generous financial support. The various organizations have been successful in a marked degree and have been an invaluable asset in carrying on all parish projects. We are proud of THE ANNUNCIATION PARISH and its well-spirited people . . . may it ever continue to be "THE FRIENDLY PARISH".