Catholic Center > Points of Interest

The Diocese of Jefferson City is under the patronage of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  This selection was made by our founder, Bishop Joseph Mary Marling, CPPS, in 1957.  Mary’s words to the three children of Fatima are recalled today on the souvenir holy card:  “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

Our Chancery has had several addresses in the fifty-one years of our existence.  The first temporary chancery was at 505 Bolivar Street beginning in November 1956.  The first permanent address from 1957 to 1968 was 312 East Capital Avenue until October 27, 1968, when an Open House was held at the 605 Clark Avenue office.  This proved insufficient and two adjacent buildings were purchased.  The present chancery at 2207 West Main Street was occupied in late July 2005.  The Blessing, Dedication and Open House of the current chancery is on October 7, 2007 by Archbishop Burke.  Our building is 26,795 square feet, containing 47 rooms of various sizes.  For the first time a chapel was built into our center. 

“Blessed are they who bind themselves to these two anchors of salvation, Jesus and Mary.  Certainly they will not be lost.”  These words of St. Alphonsus Maria de Ligouri (1696-1787), to whom the Chapel is titled, capture the spirit and values of today’s dedication.  Born and died in Naples, this holy Archbishop is renown for his moral theology, work with the rural poor, foundation of the Redemptorist Order, and love of Mary under her title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  He was also a spiritual writer of over 100 books, canon lawyer, painter, musician, confessor, architect and strongly encouraged devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist.  He was canonized in 1839 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1871.  His feast day is August 1. 
St. Alphonsus, pray for us.

The St. Alphonsus Chapel is dominated by the imported, 4 1/2 foot, wooden image of Christ modeled after the Gero Crucifix of the great gothic Cathedral of St. Peter and the Virgin Mary in Cologne, Germany.  Tradition links this image with Archbishop Gero of Cologne (969-976) who first viewed an image of the Lord in this nature while on imperial business.  The original was the first large crucifix in Northern Europe and today is considered the oldest form of the crucified Christ still in existence (970).  The naturalistic form of Christ’s body on the cross sharply leaning forward gives a realistic impression of His suffering, but at the same time expresses His majesty as God Incarnate. 

The sagging Sacred Head shows Christ with His eyes closed.  This selection was made in order to link the occupation of this building with World Youth Day which was held in Cologne, Germany in 2005.  Today a pilgrim to the Cologne Cathedral can find the over 1,000 year old original in the Chapel of the Cross near the sacristy.  Our chapel seats 50 people. 

Mr. Alphonse J. Schwartze was born on February 21, 1907 , in Westphalia, Missouri, the son of Bernard and Clara (Plassmeyer) Schwartze.  He attended a small rural school, but after the eight grade, left school to assist on the family farm and business.  In 1930 at age 27, he became the manager of his father’s business, the Maries Valley Hatchery, which he closed in 1966 due to his other business investments and interests.  He married Margaret Hines on December 27, 1969, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kansas City, Missouri.  She died in 1994.  They had no children.  May she rest in peace.

In 1977 Mr. Schwartze established the Schwartze Foundation.  A quiet and modest man by nature, Mr. Schwartz received posthumously from Pope John Paul II the Cross Pro Ecclesia honor for his excellent example of Christian Stewardship.  He was an outstanding philanthropist to the parishes and schools of this Diocese, especially in Osage County.  He died on January 20, 2000 and is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in Westphalia, Missouri.  May he rest in peace. 

Today the Schwartze Foundation is guided by the capable leadership of his brother, Emil, who is our generous benefactor to this project.  The late Pope John Paul II named Mr. Emil Schwartz a Knight Commander of St. Sylvester in 2003

The walls of the Catholic Center also display various gifts from the clergy and laity of the Diocese.  The vast majority of the original paintings are by Monsignor Louis Wellington McCorkle, a member of The American Artists Professional League for many years.  Monsignor McCorkle was ordained a priest in 1953 but his love of fine art began with his acceptance into the School of Fine Arts at Washington University in St. Louis at the age of 12.  His works have been displayed nationally.  While presenting many subjects, his favorite theme is flowers.  Monsignor McCorkle still paints in his retirement home in Hannibal, Missouri.   

The Peruvian artwork is from the estate of the late Monsignor Francis G. Gillgannon, a pioneer diocesan missionary to Peru, seminary professor, parish priest and Cathedral rector.  Monsignor Gillgannon was ordained a priest in 1954 and these items were presented to the Diocese following his death in 2004.