Church History

Our Beginnings …

In a letter dated October 14, 1919, Bishop Henry Althoff of Belleville, writes to Rev. Edmund Niess, “In our latest communication (Oct. 9, 1919) to you in regard to the new congregation at Irishtown, we granted you permission and authority to procure the deed securing the ground for the new church and also to remove the church at Keyesport to the new site...we declare...that the new congregation at Irishtown shall be organized and is hereby established ... We would suggest that the patron of the new church at Irishtown be St. Teresa, whose feast occurs tomorrow”. With permission granted for the new parish, a gift of five acres on the Greenville Road was accepted from Mr. John Schaefer and the former St. Edward's Church was moved to the new location with the help of Hagen Bros. Construction, Breese. The first Mass was celebrated on April 7, 1920, and with the formal rededication on June 20, 1920, "Marydale Church" (St. Teresa's) was born.

St. Teresa's Church originally started out as St. Edward's Catholic Church in Keyesport, IL, and was dedicated September 6, 1909. Father J. Munier of St. Lawrence Church in Sandoval organized St. Edward parish in 1907. Services were held in a blacksmith shop until the church was built in 1909.  The church was closed in 1920 when it was sold to St. Teresa Parish of Marydale and moved to 18021 Marydale Road, our present location.

In 1941 the church was remodeled by bracing the bell, lowering the ceiling five feet, plastering all walls, and putting a false arch in the sanctuary.

In 1925, the school was built at the cost of $5,000. Father Niess was Pastor.

In 1941, the Rectory was built at the cost of $3,500. Father Immethun was Pastor.