Even though it was a little late, the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in High Ridge finally got to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
The church held its first Mass on May 16, 1921, and nearly 101 years later, the church commemorated its centennial anniversary with a special Mass and dinner on May 14.
Pastor John Reiker, who has been with the church for five years, said about 300 people attended the event.
He said it was “a glorious and joy -filled celebration of God’s love in our St. Anthony Church family for over 100 years.”
Reiker said the church wanted to hold a celebration last year, but it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Church history
Reiker said the church’s first Mass in 1921 was held in an old feed store across the road from the current building at 3009 High Ridge Blvd.
Since there were no church bells to ring back then, a shotgun was fired three times to signify the start of Mass, Reiker said.
“They announced to the world Mass henceforth would be celebrated weekly,” he said.
Reiker said the church got its name after a St. Louis church donated a statue of St. Anthony, a Catholic priest who was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and died in Padua, Italy. He often is referred to as St. Anthony of Lisbon or St. Anthony of Padua.
Reiker said about a dozen families started the High Ridge church so they wouldn’t have to travel so far for Mass.
He said the church now has a membership of about 800 families.
Reiker said the church building was completed in 1929, and school for kindergartners through eighth-graders was built in 1946 and closed in 2009.
Reiker said the school building is now used for Sunday school.
Celebration
Reiker said Mark Rivituso, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, joined the May 14 anniversary Mass, which was followed by dinner.
“So many members gave so much loving service preparing for our special birthday party led by our outstanding parish council,” Reiker said.
Reiker said St. Anthony’s is a special place.
“It’s a very strong community; visitors often comment that they feel very welcomed here,” he said.
“They feel a warm spirit. They feel like it’s home here.”