St. Andrew's Parish

Excerpts from History of Grant County 1881
and Bernadine Pluemer's History of Tennyson

In 1845 a Catholic society was established in this vicinity, which was the germ of the present large congregation. The society was organized by Father Andrew Tusch, to whose diligence and labors the subsequent success observable was mainly due.

In 1846 with the aid of his congregation and subscription obtained from the piously inclined, he erected a brick church edifice, and for-30 years worshipped with his people therein. In 1851 Father Tusch resigned his pastorate and was succeeded by Father Nicholas Thiele. In 1876 the erection of the present edifice was commenced, and labor expended thereon until its completion. The building is of brick, 481 x 110', and surmounted by a steeple 135 feet from the ground. It is one of the most commodious and elegant houses of worship of any denomination in: the county, and cost a total of $25,000 before its dedication which occurred in 1877.

Father Peter Pape, a builder, came in 1895. His first project was to build a new school at a cost of forty-two hundred dollars. In 1900, Father built the new rectory and in 1913 completed the new Sister's home. During this time, Father developed the new cemetery. By November 2, 1909 lots were drawn by all who had paid the full amount due. For families, thirteen dollars, and for half families, ten dollars.

Father Joseph Scheffer followed Father Peter Pape. He first united his people, then trained them in the spirit of giving. He started the high school. The outstanding debt disappeared. He was community minded. He organized The Young Peoples Sodality and The Altar Sodality in the Parish.

St. Andrew's parish maintained a high school until 1962 when the students transferred to The Potosi Public High School. The need for a joint school venture was realized by the ground breaking on March 15, 1964 of St. Andrew-Thomas Grade School. Classes began on January 4, 1965. The school operates yet today and is vital both educationally and spiritually to the community.

The 4-H Club

St. Andrew's 4-H Club was organized in the spring of 1942, through the efforts of Father Edmund Bettinger. In developing a 4-H Club, he saw in it a means for building character and developing leadership. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Pluemer were the main leaders.

The Tennyson Homemakers were organized in 1952 by Mrs. Milton Vogelsburg and Mrs. Leonard Pluemer under the Home Agent, Marie Reuter. The meetings were held in St. Andrews School with twelve ladies joining.

The groups no longer meet today.