First MassMay 16, 1838
| Location | Sacred Heart Church / Rich Fountain |
|---|---|
| State/Territory | Missouri |
| County | Osage County |
| Modern Diocese | Diocese of Jefferson City |
| Historical Diocese | Diocese of Quebec? |
| Date | May 16, 1838 |
| Priest | Fr. Ferdinand Helias, S.J. |
| Religious Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
| Rite | Roman (Latin) Rite |
| Confidence | confirmed |
| Submitted by | @_catholicwest |
Documentation
Notes
Fr. Ferdinand Helias, a Belgian Jesuit, celebrated the first known Mass at Rich Fountain for four early Catholic families on May 16, 1838. The community was subsequently named 'Riche Fountaine' after an active spring near the church. Per Sr. Loretta Pastva, SND (Proclaiming the Good News in the Heart of Missouri, 2006), this pioneering Mass marks the beginning of organized Catholic ministry in the Rich Fountain settlement. This entry came out of a search of the Diocese of Jefferson City's own website, which credits Pastva's historical research and names Fr. Helias's specific date and role in founding this mission. Further sources: Sr. Loretta Pastva, SND, Proclaiming the Good News in the Heart of Missouri (2006)
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