Name/Title
St. Lawrence ParishEntry/Object ID
70.20.081Description
St. Lawrence Parish located in New Hamburg, Missouri. Constructed around 1847, this building originally served as a church and was later used as the parish school from 1869 - 1904.
In 1890 Father Martin Scheerer, Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, was in need of teachers and requested assistance from the nearby Franciscan Sisters. Arriving that same year, the Sisters continued their education ministry in New Hamburg until June of 1898 when they were succeeded by the Adorers of the Precious Blood.Context
Born in Germany in 1827, Mother Clara Pfaender founded the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, in 1860. With a focus on education, nursing and care for orphaned children, the women reached out to those in need. In the following years, Sisters were sent to nations such as France, the Netherlands and the United States. There, they gained increased autonomy when America became a province in 1884, and by the early 20th Century, their health and education ministries included locations in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Colorado. Looking to relocate, in 1947 land was purchased in Wheaton, Illinois and a new motherhouse was completed in 1955. As time passed, the Sisters continued to develop their healthcare ministry and addressed pressing issues such as Polio, Aids and affordable housing. During the early 21st Century, they celebrated the 150th anniversary of the congregation and found new sponsorships for their healthcare and housing ministries. Today, the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters continue to follow in the spirit of Mother Clara Pfaender by responding to the needs of the Church and our times.Lexicon
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