Our History
An Historic Journey: On May 26th, Trinity Sunday, 1872, St. Michael Catholic Church was dedicated by Bishop Edward Fitzgerald, the Bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock. Located at South 6th and Broad Street, this church building served the Catholic community until land at 13th and Cherry Street was purchased in 1909. Dedicated by Bishop John B. Morris on May 4, 1913, the new building provided a place for worship until the current building on E. Pointer Trail was dedicated on March 20, 1983.
One hundred twenty-five years ago on Trinity Sunday, May 26, 1872 Saint Michael Catholic Church was dedicated at South 6th and Broad Streets by Bishop Edward Fitzgerald. In 1909 property was purchased at 13th and Cherry Streets for the construction of a new church. Bishop John B. Morris dedicated it May 4, 1913. Our present church at 11th and Pointer Trail was dedicated on March 20, 1983. With many struggles and setbacks, we are here today as a strong, vibrant, growing Catholic community.
The Parish can trace its roots back to 1845 when Colonel John Drennen gave six acres of land for "an institution of the sisters" located at the corner of Broad and South Sixth Streets. Michael Lynch purchased the two-story brick building located at 605 through 607 Main Street in 1851 (This building was later the George Miller Confectionery Store). His family lived in the rear and upstairs of the building. One room upstairs was converted to a chapel. When a priest came to Van Buren, Mass was held in the chapel. This chapel was used until 1861 when Michael Lynch moved his family to Cane Hill and Clay Streets.
A number of Catholic families lived in or near Van Buren prior to 1861. The majority of them moved to Fort Smith probably because a Catholic Church was available to them. However, mass was held in the homes of some of the members when a priest visited Van Buren.
No effort was made to build a church during the Civil War and no records have been located to tell of the commencement of the building, but it was approximately December 1871. Enough funds were secured to frame the new church through the efforts of Michael Lynch and Pat May. It was recorded that Mr. Lynch gave about three quarters of the money necessary for the completion of the church. The church was named after St. Michael the Archangel who was the patron saint of Michael Lynch.
The first church was dedicated on Trinity Sunday, May 26, 1872, with Bishop Edward Fitzgerald giving the homily. The priests and many Catholics from the congregation of Fort Smith were present for the occasion. A collection was taken up to help with the construction debt. The choir of the Immaculate Conception Church of Fort Smith provided the music. After its consecration, the first mass was July 7, 1872, by Reverend Michael Smyth. Reverend J. P. Murrell was the first resident priest from 1880 to 1890. The next resident priest was the Reverend Patrick Enright who came to Van Buren in 1892 shortly after he was ordained a priest. He remained here until 1897, dividing his time between Van Buren and Fayetteville.
The Sisters of Mercy on Broadway and Oueen Streets operated St. Philomena’s Academy in the fall of 1897 to 1901. The school had more than 80 students of all faiths in 1898. It occupied the John Ogden mansion, later known as the Miss Zula Ribling home. In 1901, the Academy was forced to close due to a drastic decrease in enrollment because of crop failure (especially strawberries) and the removal of the MoPac railroad shops from Van Buren to Little Rock. There is evidence of interest in a parochial school at later dates. In 1907 correspondence with Bishop Morris concerns possible construction of a hall for church and school. Further letters dated 1908 between Bishop Morris and Mother Agatha O.S.B. of Shoal Creek indicate that a school may have indeed been in operation at that time Reverend James G. Evans in his article, "A History of St. Michael's Catholic Church," compiled April 16, 1956, writes he was unable to learn whether there was a resident priest after Reverend Patrick Enright left in 1897. It is not known when Reverend H. Frommen arrived, but he was here in 1907.
The church at 6th and Broad Streets was destroyed by fire on Friday night, February 8, 1907, and the adjoining priest's home, which was occupied by Reverend H. Frommen, was slightly damaged. A local paper reported, "In just a few hours this church building was no more. It seemed to be a memorial to those who played a very active role in its construction and happenings prior to it." The ladies of the parish rallied by having an ice cream social on July 1, 1908, to start fund raising efforts to rebuild the church.
The Catholic membership wanted to sell the lot on Broad (Broadway) and 6th Streets, but could not attain a clear title. The lot was given with the understanding it would be used for a church building only. After a period of time, the Drennen heirs provided a quitclaim deed. In 1909 the Drennen property was sold and a lot consisting of one-half acre located in the 100 block of North 13th and Cherry Streets was purchased. A temporary church was held in a dwelling on the property from 1909 through 1912.
The church was ". . .erected. . . with the assistance of Mr. John O'Kane, bookstore owner, Mr. John Kohne, grocer, and D. C. Brodie, harness maker." Others donating items for the church were Nettie Doerr, who worked at the U.S. Post Ofrlce on the 500 block of Main Street, Mrs. May Lincke, a sister of Father Michael Norton, Mrs. Margaret Hummell, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mayloux, Mrs. Maiffee Thompson, and Elizabeth A. and John Doyle. Inside the cornerstone that was laid on October 22, 1912, were copies of the Southwest American of October 22, 1912, the Press Argus of October 21, 1912, the Catholic Tribune of October 12 and the Southern Guardian. A letter in the cornerstone said, "This corner stone of St. Michael's Catholic Church was placed in position by the bricklayers in silence and without religious ceremony."
Bishop John B. Morris wished to have the dedication later and the date chosen was May 4, 1913. The Bishop was assisted by his secretary, the Reverend Arets and the Reverend Boniface of the Subiaco Monastery. The letter states that Reverend Charles C. Truemper built and installed the high altar and was also the first resident priest at St. Michael's at 13th and Cherry Streets. The Bishop, due to a request from the parishioners, removed Reverend Truemper February 1912.
Members of the parish, in memory of their beloved deceased, gave the windows of St. Michael’s at 13th and Cherry Streets. The following names appear on the windows:
J.F.B. Meyer - window above the altarA. F. and Laura Burns - first window, left side
Joseph Pisher - second window, left side
Nalissa McKnight - third window, left side
Barney and Honora Quinn - fourth window, left side
James O'Kane - first window, right side
Mary Alvey - second window, right side
Joseph H. and Louis R. E. Doerr - third window, right side
Sara V. DeLagrange - fourth window, right side
From 1913 until 1930 there were only visiting priests at Van Buren. They came from Fayetteville, Fort Smith or Subiaco. Many of them would come to Van Buren on an early train and have Sunday Mass. The priest would eat lunch at various church members' homes and then return to Fayetteville on the train that evening. Several Chaplains from St. Scholastica also served as pastors at St. Michael's. The nuns from St. Scholastica also came over on Saturday to teach catechism to the students.
When Reverend Joseph G. Laughlin was pastor during 1933 and 1934 he started a fraternity of boys called the Trojans. Its purpose was to keep the boys busy and teach them etiquette.
The parishioners, during the time of Reverend Francis Pendergrass, felt the need for a resident priest. The church had been served by Fort Smith priests. It would be necessary to build a rectory for a resident priest.
Included in the one-half block purchased for St. Michael's Church, there was a dwelling on the corner. Some time during the 1 930's the house was rented to a carpenter, Mr. Lee Zuber and his family, who occupied it until the mid-forties.
With the aid of the men's group and the Altar Society, reconstruction of the dwelling on the corner began. This work was unfinished when in 1947 Reverend Joseph N. Doyle came to serve St. Michael's. After much discussion among parishioners and the Reverend Doyle, an architect was employed to draw plans for a two-story brick dwelling. The old dwelling was sold to Mrs. Nora Cates, a member of St. Michael's Parish, for $600 and removed.
A building fund had been established in November 1946 and Reverend Doyle reported $5,099.50 contributed by December 1948. Contributions came from Philadelphia friends of Reverend Doyle, the Catholic Church Extension Society, parishioners, friends, and fundraisers such as carnivals, dinners and other church activities sponsored by the ladies of the church.
After bids were opened, the lowest being $10,000, two parishioners, Mr. Wilson Reynolds and Mr. Lynch Creekmore, were asked to supervise the construction on a cost basis. The ground was broken in November 1948 for the rectory of St. Michael's Church at 13th and Cherry. The building supplies were purchased at cost, and the two carpenters, Edward Yeager and John Taylor, donated half of their wages. The electrical wiring and fixtures were donated by Will Reynolds of Fort Smith. It was completed in July 1949. The house was furnished from church income.
Most likely Reverend Albert L. Fletcher, D. D., blessed the new rectory on the day of his Episcopal Visitation and of the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation which was April 4, 1950. Reverend Joseph N. Doyle enjoyed the comfort and conveniences of this rectory for less than a year when he was transferred to St. Vincent DePaul Parish in Rogers, Arkansas. Robert Hightower remembers serving as altar boy for Father Stephen Jacklin during his first pastorate here in 1937. Bill Kennedy, Richard Dibrell Johnson, James Johnson, and John Kemp Kagy were all altar boys during the 1940's and early 1950's. They helped train Joe Weinsinger, Jr. during Reverend Doyle's pastorate.
Dr. John Kagy, nephew of Francis Watkins and James Johnson, remember mowing the lawn of the church grounds with a rotary mower. This was an all day job because the lot was quite large.
Carl Falovine organized dances for the young people in the basement of the church. A victrola was used to provide music. More non-Catholics than Catholics attended these dances. Sometimes the young people were invited to the Atkins home located near the church for parties and dances.
Two fondly remembered members of the parish during this tinge were "Papa Joe" and "Mama Jessie" Smith. This couple had a great affinity for children and they were involved in many aspects of parish life. Papa Joe played Santa Claus for the ECI) students for several years.
Reverend Leland Bolds succeeded Reverend Doyle. During his pastorate a two-story brick garage was constructed at the rear of the rectory. Reverend Bolds remained at this assignment a little more than one year. The Reverend James G. Evans succeeded him on September 10, 1952.
Reverend Evans was distinguished for his convert instruction. The Confirmation Class of 1954 numbered thirty-one candidates and of this group thirteen were adult converts. (Virginia Evans was one of the converts.) There were ten more adult converts who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in 1957. With the splendid cooperation of the members of this small congregation, within less than two years, a mortgage of nearly $2,500 was dissolved. A generous donation by Mrs. C. B. Randall completed this task much to the relief of Reverend Evans. Also during Reverend Evans' pastorate, a beautiful monstrance was donated to St. Michael's by Velma and Nell Berntsen in memory of their mother.
During the tenure of Reverend Evans (1952-1956) there was another effort to establish a Catholic school at St. Michael's. Money from the estate of Mary Jeanetta Hodges and funds raised by the parish were set aside for that purpose. The parish owned the lot behind the church and wanted to build the school there.
Reverend William Kane was pastor at St. Michael's for ten years (1964-1974). Reverend Kane continued work on a school started by Father Evans. Bishop Albert L. Fletcher rejected this plan. The funds collected over the years were transferred to the diocese, once again disappointing many church members. Reverend Kane had a great fear of fire. This is somewhat ironic since the parish rectory burned in June 1974 during his stay and he was unconscious when firemen rescued him. During his pastorate the first church bulletin was published. Mary Randall-Dyer helped with this weekly assignment. Also the first Parish Council was formed while Reverend Kane was here. Bill Swindle was the first president.
Reverend John Hlavacek followed Reverend Kane as pastor. He was one of St. Michael's more colorful pastors. His unconventional dress and light blond hair were a sharp contrast to his strong conservative religious beliefs and his intelligence. It is due to his foresight that we own the current rectory and church property. Many people questioned the wisdom of buying property "so far out in the country". After purchasing the six and one half acres on Pointer Trail, Reverend Hlavacek spent a lot of time there pondering the future. Once the present church was built, the community began to understand and appreciate his wisdom.
A retired Jesuit priest, Reverend John Choppesky, became our pastor in 1978. He reestablished the parish council that was originally set up by Reverend Kane. He was very active in the Van Buren Ministerial Alliance.
The week of February 23, 1982, he announced a $500,000 construction program for the new St. Michael's at 1025 E. Pointer Trail. The project consisted of a church with seating for 380 and a parish hall for education classes and social events. The architect chosen was Raymond Marre, who also designed the Sacred Heart of Mary Church at Barling. Burrough-Uerling- Braswell Consulting Engineers, Inc. of Fort Smith and Cook Construction also of Fort Smith built the church. Assisting Reverend John Choppesky in this endeavor was the building committee consisting of Arnold Bogner, Paul Lehnen, Bernard Kaelin and Bill Swindle.
An Open House was held on February 27, 1983, for the parishioners and the general public Some of the parishioners conducted tours of the new facility. The formal dedication of the new church was held on March 20, 1983, with Bishop Andrew J. McDonald of Little Rock officiating at the celebration.
The bell from the old church was removed and rehung in the new bell tower. There are eleven stained glass windows in the new church that are symbolic of a number of events in sacred scripture and the seven sacraments. The Stations of the Cross were donated by the Sisters of Mercy and they previously had been used at Mount St. Mary's Convent Chapel in Little Rock. Bernard Kaelin refurbished them for the new church. He also fashioned and hand carved all the altars as well as numerous other wooden accessory pieces.
Reverend Choppesky requested that the St. Cecilia stained glass window located on the front of the church on 13th and Cherry Streets be removed when the structure was sold to the Crawford County Art Association. Alice Boatright agreed to replace the window at the old church with a creation of her own and volunteered to restore the damaged St. Cecilia window. Many of the damaged flashed glass pieces could not be salvaged. By the grace of God, Alice had in her possession some pieces of flashed glass that she had discovered in a field in Kentucky twenty years previously. This flashed glass matched the border of the St. Cecilia window perfectly. Using these pieces she was then able to rebuild the entire window. Bernard Kaelin again was called upon to build a display box for this exquisite piece. It then was hung over the fireplace in the parish hall.
Starting in October 1985, the Dioceses of Little Rock started a three year Renew program for parishes. Its purpose was to promote personal and parish renewal. St. Michael's experienced a period of great spiritual growth during this program. Parishioners met in small groups where they discussed what it meant to live a deeper Catholic faith. The whole parish came together for large group activities, such as pot luck dinners, special prayer services, and community evangelization. Sr. Scholastica Vogelpohl, O.S.B., taught early church history at the rectory in Van Buren during this program.
As an extension of Renew, a prayer team was organized. Anyone with special needs could contact the prayer team who would then remember the request in their daily devotions. Another outgrowth of Renew was a small group that met each year during Lent and Advent to study scripture. This group continued for about six years. It was eventually replaced by another scripture study program.
Reverend Ralph Esposito became pastor in September 1993. Under his leadership we have experienced a tremendous growth both in the size of the parish and in a renewal of our faith. Father Ralph was born, educated and ordained in Pennsylvania. He served in that area several years before coming to Arkansas in 1978. In every location Father Ralph either built or did extensive remodeling to keep the physical plants in good shape. He has continued this in Van Buren by adding air conditioning to our Choppesky Family Life Center and refurbishing the entry way to the church.
Father Ralph believes that Catholics need to take ownership of their faith and he considers the liturgy to be essential in helping to foster good spirituality. He initiated marriage vow renewal in the month of your anniversary, Corpus Christi celebrations and Tenebrae service during Holy Week. He also increased awareness of the impact of the liturgy throughout the liturgical year.
During the pastorate of Father Ralph our parish was blessed with the addition of two special helpers to our parish family. The first was Joe Kramer. Mr. Kramer retired from Donrey Media Group and he and his wife, Elizabeth, moved into our parish in 1992. They became active in our parish community and Joe was accepted into a three and one half year course of study to become a deacon (Elizabeth must also attend each of the sessions.) Joe was installed as an acolyte in December 1996 and was ordained a deacon in July of 1998. In addition, Joe has served as Grand Knight for our parish Knights of Columbus.
The second addition is Deacon Al Genna who was ordained a deacon in 1993 at St. Louis Cathedral in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He came to Van Buren in May 1995 as a result of his job at St. Edward's Mercy Medical Center and Bishop McDonald assigned him to St. Michael's Church. His ministries include teaching an adult course in scripture, preparing couples for marriage, teaching in the diaconate formation program in Little Rock and active participation in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal locally and in the diocese.
The priests who have served at St. Michael Catholic Church:
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