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A TIME TO BE BORN
1926 - 1936
In an era so garish and boisterous that it came to be known as the "Roaring 20's", a quiet and anything but flashy venture was launched on ground that had once been the scene of exciting horse races and gripping roller-coaster rides. in his relatively young diocese, Bishop Henry Althoff encouraged a group of German Oblates of Mary Immaculate to use Belleville as a base of operations for their missionary work of preaching parish missions and retreats. In May of 1925, Bishop Althoff blessed a building which, according to the Oblate Provincial, Fr. Joseph Pothmann, OMI, It was at one time a sanatorium where men went in search of physical health; it will now serve as a dwelling place for those who serve God in giving spiritual food to those for whom they labor."
After laying the cornerstone on August 13, 1926, Bishop Aithoff blessed a statue of the Mother of Grace in front of the main entrance. In his words to those who came to celebrate the occasion, the Bishop showed his deep understanding of the spirit which had always animated the Oblate Congregation; "They have labored over a year, giving missions to the laity and retreats to the religious and all alike appreciated this efficient and important service they are rendering. But they are not satisfied with missionary work alone. In harmony with the splendid traditions of their Order, they wish to form here an educational center, primarily intended for young men preparing for the priesthood." Thus, Priester's Park, on the highway between East St. Louis and Belleville, officially became St. Henry's College with the opening of the first school year, October 4, 1926.
Fifteen students witnessed the humble beginnings of St. Henry's College, but with Fr. Peter Minwegen, OMI, the first rector, and with the enthusiasm and determination of The early faculty, the Diocese of Belleville and the Oblates had a minor seminary. A few days after the early October opening, three teachers arrived: Fr. Francis Rapp, OMI, Fr.Valentine Goetz, OMI, and Fr. Francis Jansen, OMI. During this first decade, enrollment grew slowly but steadily. The year 1930 saw the graduation of the first of the original 15 students, Elmer Holtgrave. Fr. Fred Arm bruster, OMI, was the first alumnus to be ordained in June, 1935.
A depression was still plaguing the country when the first decade of St. Henry's came to a close. The priests on the faculty found it necessary to scrimp and save to keep the young seminary in operation. Meals were not always as plentiful as growing boys might have desired. But Bishop Althoff and the Oblates had had a dream. And they had managed to make it come to life, and were not about to let it die because of economics or politics.
