My Genealogy Hound

FATHER K. SCHAUERTE, pastor of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church of Murphysboro, was born in Westphalia, Germany, March 7, 1862. His father, William Schauerte, was a well-to-do farmer, who died in that country at the age of sixty-five. His wife, who bore the maiden-name of Regina Matzhauser, is still living on the old homestead. In the family are seven children, three of whom reside in Germany and four in this country.

Our subject is the eldest. He remained in his native land until 1880, when he sailed from Bremen to Baltimore, and thence went to East St. Louis, where he studied under the private instruction of Father C. Koenig for one year. He then attended St. Joseph’s College, of Teutopolis, Ill., from which he was graduated in 1883, having completed the classical course. He then studied theology and philosophy in St. Francis’ Seminary, of Milwaukee, and was graduated in 1887. He was ordained by Archbishop Heiss, of Milwaukee, and then was appointed as substitute for Rev. F. Bergmann, of Murphysboro.

For five months Father Schauerte acted as substitute, and was made pastor of St. Andrew’s congregation in January of 1888. On the 4th of May following, the small frame church was burned to the ground, but plans were soon afterward made for a new church, and the same fall the building was begun. It was completed September 16, 1889, and its images and inside furnishings were all imported from Europe. There is a membership of one hundred and fifty families.

Father Schauerte has established four missions— St. Elizabeth’s, at Ava, Ill.; St. Ann’s, at Raddleville; St. Gregory’s, at Grand Tower; and one at Cartersville. At the first two places he built churches. In the summer of 1893 St. Andrew’s school was built. It is a three-story brick structure, 46x50 feet. It is in charge of five Sisters of the Precious Blood, who teach the common branches, sciences and music. The church owns St. Andrew’s Cemetery, which is two miles from the city, and which comprises six acres of land. It also owns a hospital site near the Chicago & Texas depot. The church is the largest and finest in southern Illinois between Belleville and Cairo, is built in Gothic style, and is one hundred and seven feet long and forty-two feet in front, with a transcept fifty-eight feet. There are church societies for the male members of the congregation, married ladies, young ladies and young men. For the past two years Father Schauerte has had an assistant. He is an untiring worker in his church, and its rapid development in this community is largely due to his efforts.