St. Ambrose Church (Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau)
St. Ambrose Church is a Roman Catholic parish church located at 418 South 3rd Street in Chaffee, Missouri. Established in 1908, the parish serves a close-knit community within the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, rooted in the town’s historical development along the St. Louis and Memphis Branch of the Frisco Railroad System.[1][2] The parish is known for its vibrant liturgical life, including Eucharistic Adoration, relic veneration, and community events like joint picnics with nearby Guardian Angel Parish, fostering spiritual and social engagement.[1][3]
St. Ambrose supports a Catholic school for early childhood through 8th grade, emphasizing academic and spiritual formation, and hosts a variety of faith formation programs, including Parish School of Religion (PSR) and summer catechesis led by Pastor Rev. Joseph Kelly.[2][3] The parish maintains strong community ties through events like the annual Easter Bake Sale and partnerships with local organizations, while its digital presence, including Mass livestreams, ensures accessibility for parishioners.[3][4]
| St. Ambrose Church | |
| [[File:|150px|center]] | |
| Dedication: | Saint Ambrose |
| Type/Classification: | Territorial Parish |
| Non-Parochial: | No |
| Operated By: | Diocesan clergy |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau |
| Deanery: | Deanery 6 |
| Address: | 418 S. 3rd Street, Chaffee, MO 63740 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Chaffee, MO |
| Subdivision: | Missouri |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Scott County |
| Website: | Website |
| Founded: | 1908 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | stambroseparishchaffee@gmail.com |
History
St. Ambrose Church was founded in 1908 in Chaffee, Missouri, following the town’s establishment in 1905 along the St. Louis and Memphis Branch of the Frisco Railroad System.[1][2] Early Catholic settlers petitioned Archbishop Glennon of St. Louis for a resident priest in 1906, and on the Feast of the Holy Family in 1907, Fr. Frank Feeley, CM, celebrated the first Mass in Byrds Hall.[2] Fr. Anthony H. Rohling, appointed as the first resident pastor, oversaw the construction of a frame church, completed in January 1908.[2] St. Ambrose School was established soon after, staffed by the Sisters of Mercy until 1971, though it faced opposition from the Ku Klux Klan, which was countered by Fr. John J. Lonnergan’s advocacy for Christian principles.[2]
A fire destroyed the church on April 12, 1942, leading to the use of the school basement as a temporary worship space during wartime.[2] A new church was completed and dedicated on July 4, 1954, under Archbishop Joseph Ritter.[2] In 1983, a new school and parish center were built, with an additional classroom and library added in 2000.[2] Today, under Rev. Joseph Kelly, the parish continues to thrive, offering robust faith formation, community events, and digital engagement.[3][4]
Special features
- *St. Ambrose Catholic School*: A preK-8th grade school providing academic and spiritual formation, with facilities expanded in 1983 and 2000.[2]
- *Eucharistic Adoration*: Held monthly on the first Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. with Benediction, fostering prayer for vocations.[3]
- *Relic veneration*: The parish hosts events like the veneration of the Holy Face of Jesus relic, accompanied by special Masses.[3]
- *Community events*: Annual events include a joint parish picnic with Guardian Angel Parish, an Easter Bake Sale, and a Mother’s Day carnation fundraiser.[3][4]
- *Faith formation*: Programs like Parish School of Religion (PSR), summer catechesis on Catholic apologetics, and youth Confirmation engage parishioners of all ages.[3][4]
- *Digital engagement*: The parish offers livestreamed Masses and maintains an active online presence to connect with its community.[3]
Related parishes
- Guardian Angel Parish, Oran, MO: St. Ambrose collaborates with Guardian Angel for joint events like the parish picnic on April 27 and shared devotions such as the Divine Mercy holy hour.[3]
- St. Augustine Parish, Kelso, MO: Connected through Deanery 6, with St. Ambrose participating in regional events like the March Retreat at St. Augustine.[3][2]
- St. Joseph Parish, Scott City, MO: Another nearby parish in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, linked through regional activities.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "History". https://www.stambrosechaffee.com/history.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "St. Ambrose Parish, Chaffee, MO". 2022-11-12. https://dioscg.org/parishes/st-ambrose-parish-chaffee-mo.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 "News". https://www.stambrosechaffee.com/news.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Bulletin". https://www.stambrosechaffee.com/bulletin.