About 150 people braved the heat on Saturday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in House Springs.
The event was held at the church, 4696 Notre Dame Lane, and included an outdoor Mass, food and a variety of festivities, Pastor Dennis Schmidt said.
“It was very hot, but it was a nice celebration,” he said.
Schmidt said Bishop Mark Rivituso led 5 p.m. Mass.
“I’ve known Bishop Mark for a long time and he did our 60th celebration for our school. It was good to have him come back,” Schmidt said.
He said the school celebrated its 60th anniversary in August 2019 and closed that same year.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church was dedicated on July 20, 1961, after St. Columbkille, which was in Byrnesville, and St. Philomena, which was in House Springs, combined into one parish in 1959.
He said several couples who were married at St. Columbkille and St. Philomena attended the event.
Schmidt said the church’s anniversary celebration was a success.
“It was pretty awesome,” he said. “It is hard to believe that 60 years ago the church started,” he said.
Schmidt said photos and other historical items from the church were on display during the event.
He said the Athletic Association provided hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst and chips.
“Very simple, but good,” Schmidt said.
He said a live band was scheduled for the event, but it could not attend due to an illness.