During this past year, interviews were conducted with some of our oldest parishioners, about their memories of parish life through the years. Below are short excerpts and links to the full written document for each interview.
Betty Elmendorf was part of the last class at St. Peter High school where she met her high school sweetheart. She excelled in hospitality, introducing some of our current tradions. She was instrumental in beginning the first fish fry. She talked about the people at the fish fries and parishioners who are like a community; like a family. When asked for details, she said the choir is beautiful and the church is beautifully decorated, especially at Christmas and Easter. Full Interview
Jan and Joe Haug are long-time parishioners. Jan can trace her roots back three generations on her mom's side at St. Peter. Three generations ago, an uncle was one of the first priests here at St. Peter, and her great-great-grandparents are buried in our cemetery. Jan and Joe taught at rival high schools, St. Dominic and Duchesne - turns out both communities have great people. (Since St. Peter High School became Duchesne, we're a little biased, but we know how much Joe and Jan have contributed over the years, in time, energy, and love.) Jan had planned to be a stay at home mom, but God had other plans for her. He also protected their family when lightning struck their house and burned it to the ground. In a separate story, they made friends by choosing to go to breakfast after Mass one morning and happening upon a group of parishioners. Jan and Joe have worked in Appalachia, a very poor county in Kentucky. They've helped with St. Vincent de Paul in numerous ways over the years. Joe said, ”There’s value in making contact with people, whether it’s delivering Christmas baskets or making contact with the people that live in Appalachia. You can see how appreciative people are.” They have made so many good friends through the Sodality, SVDP, and with the parents of the kids in school. Jan said, “They are swell people. They are so generous, loving, and kind. We are lucky that we landed here.” Full Interview
Nancy Bircher and her husband were assigned to three Catholic parishes in two years, back when the Archdiocese was strict about where you were allowed to worship. (So glad we have more freedom today.) Nancy and David petitioned the Archdioces to join a 4th parish, St. Peter. Eventually, Nancy gave tours of St. Peter. Want to read a little about the symbols prevelant everywhere at St. Peter? Read her interview. She taught at St. Peter grade school, held the title of Coordinator of Religious Education, and started the RCIA program. In her interview, Nancy thought, “How could the church be more beautiful but they made it more beautiful. It was all in praise and honor of God.” She described Saint Peter Church as, “It’s home, the beauty, love, history, and community.” Full Interview
Roger Gronefeld has deep roots at St. Peter. His mom went to St. Peter grade school and though his parents' ancestors were from the same town, they emigrated to different states at different times. Coincidence or God-incidence?
Like Betty, Roger was part of the last class at St. Peter High School. He jokes that he was more surprised that the school was open than that it would close, recalling ceiling plaster falling on students and a radiator mishap.
Roger's parents opened The Tavern in 1929, selling "near beer" during prohibition. Roger worked there and at the gas station next door after school - common at the time, when even priests sometimes drove the school bus. He also shared stories of the Depression, World War II, and even a quip about being "the only survivor of the Civil War."
Later, Roger helped plan the chapel installation and discussed the needs for a parish center. Did you know that once upon a time, RCIA met over in the hospital and there were times when someone had to lug a TV and VCR across the street?
Today, he sees many new parishioners and credits the parish's strong presence. “It looks and feels like a church.” As a Eucharistic Minister, he notices many teens and young adults engaged in their faith, supported by "very good young priests" and our OCIA (RCIA) program. “Kids who come here and go to RCIA are very dedicated.” He said the internet helps and also Deacon Larry. Roger stated, “It’s like a community, like a family. It’s been a pleasure to be here.” Full Interview
Sonia Willbrand is 100% Lebanese. Her dad emigrated from Syria (now Lebanon). One of her relatives is a canonized saint -St. Sharbel Makhluf, whose feast day is July 24th. Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Sonia met St. Charles native Tom Willbrand when he was in the Army stationed at Colorado Springs. After marrying him and he was discharged from the Army, they moved to St. Charles. Tom was one of the first deacons ordained in this Archdiocese. He baptized 500 babies and celebrated 200 weddings. Deacon Tom passed away in 2024. He and Sonia were married almost 68 years. Both Sonia’s and Deacon Tom’s favorite memories at Saint Peter were the weddings of their children and the baptisms of the family. They also enjoyed how the priests and people were so warm at Saint Peter. It was and is a community. Full Interview
Both Russ and Pam Roeber grew up in South Dakota. Pam even lived 35 miles from Mount Rushmore. During their last year of college, they met on a blind date in October and married in August the following year. They lived a few different places, before settling in St. Charles five years later. Both their daughters attended St. Peter School for K-8th, and received some of their sacraments here.
Pam and Russ love to volunteer and have done so all their lives. They go all in, whether that's volunteering with sports, ushering, caring for the linens in the church, or helping with picnics, fish fries, or rummage sales. Russ even volunteered despite not being catholic. He attended Mass with his family and pitched in his share, while not receiving the gift of the Eucharist. Eventually, God knocked on his heart enough times, Russ became catholic in 2004 by Bishop Naumann who later also confirmed their youngest grandson in Kansas City. Because they have no relatives nearby, friends have definitely become like family. Pam stated, “That’s one of the great blessings of getting involved, getting to know people, and doing things and really feeling that bond that you do worship in the same location with people with the same beliefs. It’s very powerful.” They’ve become great friends with the parents at the school and with church members. Pam described Saint Peter as a “church family. It holds a special place in our hearts.” Full Interview
Wilfred Wappelhorst’s ancestors may have been founding members, and the family still owns the farm just north of St. Charles along the Missouri River. His childhood at St. Peter School was filled with Sisters of Notre Dame in sweeping black habits, baseball games on the steep slope of Jackson Street, and a disastrous first attempt at soccer that looked more like “twenty or thirty boys kicking mud”. During World War II, the parish collected metal for ammunition – pots, pans, boilers, and even cars – and boys once pushed a donated car across the parking lot, though the “joyride” was quickly terminated.
Wilfred's nephew, Dennis Wappelhorst’s maternal grandfather and great grandfather were stone masons. They built the sanctuary around 1923 and the rectory in 1940. Dennis also attended St. Peter School with the habit-clad Sisters. Monthly confession was scary – going in a door and a mysterious priest – yet faith anchored everything, from 40 Hours of Adoration with aching knees as a server on the high altar, Latin responses, to the grandeur of High Mass with candles blazing.
Then there was the joy: the Pentecost Picnic, a grand procession winding through town to Blanchette Park, ending with hot dogs, chicken dinners, and a lot of fun.
Wappelhorst Park was named after Wilfred’s brother.
Fr. Christopher Wapelhorst built the church in 1861, but he was no relation to Wilfred or Dennis.
Wilfred and Dennis both described Saint Peter parish like a family. Full Interview
The Zeisler’s parents married at St. Peter in 1934, their mom fluent in French from Quebec roots, their dad later laid to rest in the first hand-dug grave by Mike Hanon. The brothers’ memories span tanks rolling down Clay Street during World War II and the sweet reward of coffee cake or doughnuts waiting on classroom windowsills until after Mass. All the Zeisler brothers are daily Mass goers, having been taught that “we should go to church every time the bell rings.” For a High Mass, there would be four servers, twelve torch bearers, Choristers (the boys’ choir), and the priests. The altar would be loaded with people. Gregg, Jim, and Gene went to St. Peter High School. Tom attended St. Peter for two years before Duchesne opened. They walked to St. Peter High School, where 1950’s centennial skits shook Gregg’s front teeth loose, Tom played Catholic League basketball, and classmates included future World Series pitcher Ken Heintzelman. Tom, however, had to catch rides to Duchesne because there was no bus. Sundays brought slow-moving traffic past the St. Charles Dairy store where Gregg and Jim worked—so slow customers could buy ice cream and catch their car before it crept away. Lent was strict, Holy Week solemn, with statues shrouded in purple and Good Friday draped in black. Yet joy broke through at the Pentecost Picnic, a parade of schoolchildren, music, and dancing in Blanchette Park. The Zeislers’ quiet devotion still lights St. Peter today. Full Interview
Karen Zerr’s great grandparents joined St. Peter in 1860. Though not founding members, they were instrumental in building the church. Her maternal great grandfather John Jeremiah Buse was a cabinet maker. So was her grandfather Arthur Wilke. John Jeremiah Buse also wrote about St. Charles; some books are still in print today.
During her school years, she made lifelong friends that she still gets together with. There was always a parade at the end of the school year from Saint Peter to Blanchette Park. It went past Saint Charles Borromeo, up Randolph, and then to the park. People made banners and hats and the streets were closed; people lined up and watched. Karen was one of the tallest kids in class and often carried the banner. At the park, they had a picnic, bingo and rides. Karen said, “It was a big deal and great fun. I miss it.”
Jack Zerr and Karen both attended St. Peter as freshmen and Duchesne as sophomores; Hitchhike corner was the intersection of Kingshighway and Clay Street. He was dropped off there in the morning and walked to Duchesne. One afternoon in 1958, Jack caught a ride home from school in a blue ’55 Ford convertible. Just before Elm Street, he saw a girl walking in uniform, sweater and books in hand. “That’s when Cupid shot his arrow right into my gizzard,” he said. Karen laughs, “Cupid’s arrow only went one way!”
Jack’s life took him far from home. “I was Shanghaied into the Navy by my own dad,” he joked. Enlisting just before his 18th birthday, he intended to serve the minimum service, just over three years. He entered in 1959 and retired in 1993. He served aboard ships where priests were rare, and faith had to adapt. Masses were sometimes celebrated on helicopter decks, and when there wasn’t a priest, somebody would lead lay services, recite Bible verses, and they’d pray the rosary on Sunday morning. There were always 30 seconds of evening prayer over the MC (ship’s announcing system). Jack stated, “It was enough to keep the faith alive for those willing to put in a few minutes a week.”
Jack told a story about their wedding. He was standing outside church by himself by the side door. Suddenly, a “divine voice” told Jack to go into the church. A pigeon pooped right where he had been. Jack said, “The biggest pigeon with the biggest case of diarrhea splattered the sidewalk right where I’d been standing.”
They both agreed that the church is the hub of the community. Full Interview