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LITTLE ROCK — St. Edward Catholic Church in Little Rock, which marks its 125th anniversary this month, is an immigrant congregation.
Originally it served newcomers from Europe. Today, it embraces Catholics from across Latin America. The parish was started by German settlers in 1884, who also built a small schoolroom. The following year the school opened with only 64 students. St. Edward now has 182 students.
Eventually, the Germans became assimilated. In the 1990s, a wave of Polish immigrants also appeared. Today, the parish majority is Hispanic, said Pat Eichler of the parish’s Historical and Promotion Committee.
The names on the baptismal rolls reflect the church’s changing demographics.
Edward Kleuser was the first infant baptized in the parish.
In the 1880s, infants receiving the sacrament of baptism primarily had German names, which had been translated into Latin by church officials.
“So far in 2009, 121 Hispanics and 12 Anglos have received the sacrament,” Eichler said.
During the first 100 yearsof St. Edward parish there were 3,490 baptisms, 1,115 marriages and 1,400 funerals.
A multilingual Mass celebrating the parish’s multicultural heritage today is the first in a series of events scheduled in the next 10 months. The Mass will be directed by Bishop Anthony Taylor.
Mass lecturers are from Scotland, Mexico, Poland, Italy, Africa, the Philippines and the United States.
Music during the Mass will be in English and Spanish. Dancers will take part in the Offertory of Mass dressed in costumes of their native countries. Following Mass, a dinner featuring dishes from the current parishioners’ native countries will be held. German, Polish and Spanish dishes will be served.
Other events commemorating the 125th anniversary include a family picnic at MacArthur Park and a Mardi Gras celebration. A final event in August will commemorate the anniversary of the dedication of the original church building and the opening of St. Edward School.
The Mass will be held at 801 Sherman St. at 4 p.m. today. More information is available by calling St. Edward at (501) 374-5767.
Religion, Pages 15 on 10/10/2009
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Unshaken says... October 29, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
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