The history of St. Edward's Church at Mendon, Illinois is most intimately connected with the history of St. Joseph's Church at Bloomfield, Illinois and the history of St. Joseph's Church on Columbus road. Both of these churches can be rightly called the Mother Churches of St. Edward's Church because the pioneer priests from Bloomfield built and organized St. Edward and the priest from St. Joseph's on Columbus road took care of the church and it congregation from 1891 until 1949 when St. Edward's Church was established as a parish.
The Church of Quincy played an important part in the life and growth of the Church in the North, Northeast and East regions of Adams County. St. Lawrence Church in Quincy - now known at St. Peter's Church - was a spring board for the pioneer priest Father McGirr in organizing and the building of the St. Joseph Church and it congregation at Bloomfield. Sometime around 1860, a large group of Irish immigrants settled in the developed farms in this section of Adams County. Among these immigrants were parents of Father Peter McGirr. Father McGirr himself was sent to St. Lawrence Church in Quincy in 1862 and immediately started his work among these immigrants, and shortly thereafter he built St. Joseph's Church, rectory and cemetery. There are all the indications that St. Joseph's Church in Bloomfield was an outstanding parish. At the present time there is little left of the town of Bloomfield, and the Church was dismantled by Lawrence Carolan in 1941. The only remains of this little community church is a closed cemetery in which the remains of the pioneer Priest, Father Peter McGirr, rest in peace. Bloomfield and the zeal of its priests served as another spring board for the spread and the organization of the Church in this region. Pioneer priests went as far east as Mt. Sterling and as far north as Warsaw to care for the new Catholic Families. One of the mission churches they built was St. Edward's Church in Mendon, Illinois.
In 1890, the town of Mendon and its surrounding farming area was "exceedingly prosperous." It had twenty-five Catholic families at that time. All were too far from a church and from their priests and were in urgent need of spiritual guidance. Father Herman Gesenhues, at this time pastor at Bloomfield, saw and realized this need and on September 1, 1889 he opened a drive to collect funds (but in 1891 Father Herman Gesenhues, was transferred). His intentions were to build a frame church in Mendon, in order that the Catholics living in the northwestern part of the county might have greater facilities in attending church and in practicing their religion. Mendon, he thought, being a "prosperous" town and "blessed with a railroad" would grow and develop into a strong Catholic congregation. So, the little group of approximately twenty-five families began their work. First they purchased two small lots for $400.00 from Mr. Crammers. Mr. Frank Tubessing of Quincy, architect, "of more than local repute" drew building plans for a fee of $10.00. James and Mathew Brady quarried rock for the foundation of the building for $25.00. Walter Nutt of Mendon built the church, on contract for $1,535.00. Catholics as well as non-Catholics contributed $1,062.00 for the new church, but an additional sum of $1,062.00 for the new church, but an additional sum of $1,484.00 had to be borrowed to complete the building. The new church was completed in 1890 and the first Mass was celebrated on June 20th, 1890.
This little but venerable Church has had its many ups and down. Around 1915 it congregation diminished frighteningly - it counted only six families. These alone carried on the struggled for its existence for many years. It was faith and hard work of a few and the zeal of their priests that helped this little congregation to survive.
About a year after the church was built, Father Dieterich, 1891-1894, was put in charge of three churches; St. Joseph at Bloomfield, St. Edwards at Mendon, and St. Joseph on Columbus road, where a residence for the priest was located. From that time until 1949, priests from St. Joseph’s Church on Columbus Road took care of the St. Edwards Church and its congregation.
After Father Dieterich, the following priest took care of St. Edwards:
Father George Pesh 1894-1896; Father T.J. Butler 1896-1898; Father Francis J. Hussey 1898-1899; Father John M. McVeigh 1899-1903; Father Paul Reinfels 1904-1918; Father Charles J. Flori 1919-1930; Father Anton M. Jashke 1930-1937; Father Phil J. Newman 1938-1939; Father Gerald Wiegand 1940-1947; Father Elmer Sanders 1947-1948; Father John B. Day 1948-1949.
St. Edward's congregation, in the late 1930's started to grow slightly and has been growing ever since. In the 1940's it developed into a larger congregation, and under the pastorate of Father John B. Day, it was thought to be sufficiently large and self-supporting to be established as a parish with a resident priest.
It was in May of 1949 that His Excellence Bishop William A. O'Connor, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois, made St. Edward's a parish, and appointed its first Pastor, the Reverend Henry J. Knoedler, with residence in Mendon, Illinois.
The first Pastor was faced with a big problem: He had no rectory to live in. For a while he lived in a private home and on October 8, 1949 he moved into a rectory. It was thought the zeal, organizational spirit and hard work of this servant of the altar that the idea of building a new church in Mendon was born. He started the St. Edward's Building Fund, organized and started parish socials and thus established a good source of income toward the building of the new church. At his leaving St. Edward's Building Fund had grown to $15,500.00.
On February 19th, 1957, Father Knoedler was transferred to Hardin, Illinois, as Pastor of St. Norbert's Church. Father Marin Kuvacic took possession of the parish on March 8, 1957, and found a well-established and well organized parish, and he dedicated his efforts toward keeping its vigorous spirit alive, and helped it to grow.
The Church of Quincy played an important part in the life and growth of the Church in the North, Northeast and East regions of Adams County. St. Lawrence Church in Quincy - now known at St. Peter's Church - was a spring board for the pioneer priest Father McGirr in organizing and the building of the St. Joseph Church and it congregation at Bloomfield. Sometime around 1860, a large group of Irish immigrants settled in the developed farms in this section of Adams County. Among these immigrants were parents of Father Peter McGirr. Father McGirr himself was sent to St. Lawrence Church in Quincy in 1862 and immediately started his work among these immigrants, and shortly thereafter he built St. Joseph's Church, rectory and cemetery. There are all the indications that St. Joseph's Church in Bloomfield was an outstanding parish. At the present time there is little left of the town of Bloomfield, and the Church was dismantled by Lawrence Carolan in 1941. The only remains of this little community church is a closed cemetery in which the remains of the pioneer Priest, Father Peter McGirr, rest in peace. Bloomfield and the zeal of its priests served as another spring board for the spread and the organization of the Church in this region. Pioneer priests went as far east as Mt. Sterling and as far north as Warsaw to care for the new Catholic Families. One of the mission churches they built was St. Edward's Church in Mendon, Illinois.
In 1890, the town of Mendon and its surrounding farming area was "exceedingly prosperous." It had twenty-five Catholic families at that time. All were too far from a church and from their priests and were in urgent need of spiritual guidance. Father Herman Gesenhues, at this time pastor at Bloomfield, saw and realized this need and on September 1, 1889 he opened a drive to collect funds (but in 1891 Father Herman Gesenhues, was transferred). His intentions were to build a frame church in Mendon, in order that the Catholics living in the northwestern part of the county might have greater facilities in attending church and in practicing their religion. Mendon, he thought, being a "prosperous" town and "blessed with a railroad" would grow and develop into a strong Catholic congregation. So, the little group of approximately twenty-five families began their work. First they purchased two small lots for $400.00 from Mr. Crammers. Mr. Frank Tubessing of Quincy, architect, "of more than local repute" drew building plans for a fee of $10.00. James and Mathew Brady quarried rock for the foundation of the building for $25.00. Walter Nutt of Mendon built the church, on contract for $1,535.00. Catholics as well as non-Catholics contributed $1,062.00 for the new church, but an additional sum of $1,062.00 for the new church, but an additional sum of $1,484.00 had to be borrowed to complete the building. The new church was completed in 1890 and the first Mass was celebrated on June 20th, 1890.
This little but venerable Church has had its many ups and down. Around 1915 it congregation diminished frighteningly - it counted only six families. These alone carried on the struggled for its existence for many years. It was faith and hard work of a few and the zeal of their priests that helped this little congregation to survive.
About a year after the church was built, Father Dieterich, 1891-1894, was put in charge of three churches; St. Joseph at Bloomfield, St. Edwards at Mendon, and St. Joseph on Columbus road, where a residence for the priest was located. From that time until 1949, priests from St. Joseph’s Church on Columbus Road took care of the St. Edwards Church and its congregation.
After Father Dieterich, the following priest took care of St. Edwards:
Father George Pesh 1894-1896; Father T.J. Butler 1896-1898; Father Francis J. Hussey 1898-1899; Father John M. McVeigh 1899-1903; Father Paul Reinfels 1904-1918; Father Charles J. Flori 1919-1930; Father Anton M. Jashke 1930-1937; Father Phil J. Newman 1938-1939; Father Gerald Wiegand 1940-1947; Father Elmer Sanders 1947-1948; Father John B. Day 1948-1949.
St. Edward's congregation, in the late 1930's started to grow slightly and has been growing ever since. In the 1940's it developed into a larger congregation, and under the pastorate of Father John B. Day, it was thought to be sufficiently large and self-supporting to be established as a parish with a resident priest.
It was in May of 1949 that His Excellence Bishop William A. O'Connor, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois, made St. Edward's a parish, and appointed its first Pastor, the Reverend Henry J. Knoedler, with residence in Mendon, Illinois.
The first Pastor was faced with a big problem: He had no rectory to live in. For a while he lived in a private home and on October 8, 1949 he moved into a rectory. It was thought the zeal, organizational spirit and hard work of this servant of the altar that the idea of building a new church in Mendon was born. He started the St. Edward's Building Fund, organized and started parish socials and thus established a good source of income toward the building of the new church. At his leaving St. Edward's Building Fund had grown to $15,500.00.
On February 19th, 1957, Father Knoedler was transferred to Hardin, Illinois, as Pastor of St. Norbert's Church. Father Marin Kuvacic took possession of the parish on March 8, 1957, and found a well-established and well organized parish, and he dedicated his efforts toward keeping its vigorous spirit alive, and helped it to grow.
Our Patron Wood Carving
After the arrival of Father Michael Lanning, OFM, in 1986, the "St. Edward the Confessor”, Saint Day, October 13th was celebrated. A St. Edward Wood Carving was carved by Father Tom Brown, OFM, of Quincy College. The wood carving was completed a year later after the arrival of Father Louis Davino, OFM.
The image of our holy patron, Edward the Confessor, Saint and Sovereign, cousin of William the Conqueror, beloved of Thomas of Becket, guardian angel of the English nation. This great saint confessed, that is, professed the Catholic faith by an exemplary life, a life distinguished by reconciliation of the hostile, charity for the needy, and good will toward all.
He rest today in London, at his beloved Westminster Abbey, nearly a thousand years after his death, in a tomb which thousands visit annually. There, in the great coronation church, in the chief resting place of English kings and notables, amid the pomp of centuries, a royal galaxy surrounds his shrine. Nearby the coronation chair is placed, surmounting the Stone of Destiny.
The destiny brings him from London to Mendon. Here you keep green his holy faith and his holy name amid field and pasture, in a small parish church, but a church his humble heart would have dearly loved. It is fitting to recall the noble prayer offered at the coronation of English kings:
God crown you with a crown of glory and righteousness, that having a right faith and manifold fruit of good works, you may obtain the crown of an everlasting kingdom by the gift of him whose kingdom endureth forever.
This is our prayer in homage to the patron of this church. This is our prayer for one another, that we too may merit the crown of everlasting life in Christ Jesus, the Great King.
Other Changes
Father Michael Lanning, OFM, established our first Finance Council in 1986 and the same year the communion rails were removed from the church the Tabernacle was moved from the center altar to the right side of the sanctuary. The wood altar build by Father Kuvacic was donated to North Adams Home in memory of Father Kuvacic and the outdoor Christmas Nativity
Scene was also donated to North Adams Home. A new sound system was also installed that same year by Mr. Tim Bealor. Father Michael Lanning, OFM, also held Mass at North Adams Home.
Under the direction of Father Michael Lanning, OFM, in 1987, Mr. Duane Shaffer was instrumental in designing the frame and stand for the bell and sign. Mr. Jerry Kuhn laid the stone with several parishioners volunteering their time to pour concrete. That same year the St. Edward Hall was named Kuvacic Hall in memory of Father Kuvacic.
In 1987, two new trustees were appointed to serve three year terms, Mr. Duane Shaffer and Mrs. Mary Benz, Mr. William Hilgenbrinck was appointed to stay on one more year.
In 1988, when Father Louis Davino, OFM, was appointed pastor, the Altar of Sacrifice was removed form the center wall and placed in the center of the sanctuary. A piano fund was set up in 1988 by the Liturgy Committee. An Italian Spaghetti Dinner was prepared by Father Louis Davino with all proceeds going to the piano fund.
From July 1988 to July 1989, a parish Advisory Board headed by Mr. Tim Bealor was appointed by Father Louis Davino, OFM, under the supervision of Father Louis Davino, OFM, until Sister Lucile Gbur, OFM, came in July 1988.
In July 1988 to January 1989, Sister Lucile Gbur was appointed Lay Pastoral Administrator. Father Louis Davino, OFM, was appointed Interim Administrator until July 1989. Father Louis Schlangen was appointed pastor of St. Edward's in July of 1989.
In just a short time a new car was purchased for Sister Lucile Gbur, OFM, and sold shortly after the arrival of Father Louis Schlangen.
Weekday Masses were reinstated as of July 1989 with St. Edward's now having a full time pastor. A 25th Anniversary Mass and reception was held that same year in honor of Sister Janet Voss, CPPS.
A new Parish Pastoral Council was elected by the Parish and Finance Council appointed in 1989. Officers elected to the Parish Pastoral Council were: Chairman - Mr. Terry Ellerman, Vice Chairman - Mr. Carl Adair and Secretary - Mrs. Kathy Frese.
St. Edwards was in need of more classrooms, so in 1989 Father Schlangen designed partitions for classrooms in Kuvacic Hall and the classrooms were completed in 1990.
The stained glass windows, a project discussed in prior years was finally completed. The windows were designed by Sister Hiltrudis Powers, CPPS, of O'Fallon, Missouri. Each window top and bottom, representing the Eucharistic Prayers #1, 2, 3 and 4. The windows were donated in memory of a deceased family member or living family members. Money is also set aside for a window in memory of Father Marin Kuvacic.
Blacktop repairs were started in the fall of 1989 and hope to be completed in the year of 1990. On Monday, May 28th, Memorial Day, Mass was celebrated at the Bloomfield Cemetery by Father Louis Schlangen. There were over seventy persons in attendance.
A 33rd Anniversary Mass and reception was held in honor of Father Louis Schlangen on May 30th, 1990. Also a 100th Anniversary Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, June 20th, 1990 at 8:00 p.m. with a reception following in Kuvacic Hall.
St. Edward's Festival was held Sunday, July, 1990, with all proceeds going towards our 100th Anniversary book. A Mass was celebrated on July 15th, 1990, for the Extra Ordinary Minister's with each receiving a certificate of appreciation for their time and effort. A Mass will be held at a later date by Bishop Daniel Ryan, at the closing of our 100th Anniversary in June of 1991.
Under the direction of Father Louis Schlangen, several long and short term goals have been established. The finishing of the blacktop, more stained glass windows, painting of the steeple, reconstruction of the basement wall in the rectory and a new roof on the church.
With faith and the hard work of the parishioners these short and long term goals will be accomplished.
In 2005, the Franciscans pulled out of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Joseph Parish on Columbus Road. Fr. Louis Schlangen then became pastor of St. Joseph in addition to his duties at St. Edward. Mass schedules and times were adjusted and both St. Edward the Confessor and St. Joseph went from three weekend masses to only two after the merger.
Restructuring again occurred in 2007 when Fr. Jeff Stone was made the New Administrator of St. Edward Church in Mendon, St. Joseph Church in rural Quincy, and St. Brigid Church in Liberty, Illinois. Fr. Louis Schlangen retired in 2007 and he also celebrated his Golden Jubilee of priesthood ordination that year. Also, in 2007, Deacon Terry Ellerman and Deacon Mike Ellerman both of St. Edward Church of Mendon were ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Springfield.
In 2007, the offices were also consolidated in the merger. Fr. Lou had let go the office staff from St. Edward and the book-keeping duties and sacramental record keeping were transferred to St. Brigid office while the editing of the bulletin and the overseeing of liturgical scheduling were handled by the St. Joseph office.
With a three parish pastoral unit, the Mass schedules had to be reduced. St. Edward now had only Sunday Mass at 10:00AM and St. Joseph in 2007 had only a 6:30PM Mass on Saturday. St. Brigid had a 4:30PM Mass on Saturday and an 8:00AM Mass on Sunday.
In 2008, an adjustment was made so that all parishes in the unit could have a Sunday Mass. St. Brigid Mass was moved to 7:30AM, St. Joseph Mass to 9:00AM and St. Edward the Confessor now had Mass at 10:30AM. Since Fr. Jeff Stone arrived, the old rectory was fixed up and more classrooms were put in it so as to eliminate the need of using the partitions in the Parish Hall.
The Parking lot was improved with new concrete south of the Church as well as a new roof was installed on the rectory and the blacktop has been recoated as needed. Also, a new multipurpose building was built just South of the Church.
In 2012, an additional Weekend Mass was added at 8:00PM on Saturday to accommodate shift workers from the Quincy and Mendon areas. In 2014, a new digital Carillon Bell system was installed. St. Edward Church of Mendon sponsored a boy scout troop 43 in that same year. Also, in 2014, Fr. Melvin Kuhn was ordained for the Diocese of Sioux Falls South Dakota. Fr. Melvin Kuhn was able to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving and was able to stay a couple weeks celebrating many weekday masses at St. Edward. Also, in 2014, Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck was ordained for the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois. Fr. Melvin Kuhn's younger brother, Aaron, also assisted in the Parish during the summer of 2014 as a Seminarian. He is studying for the priesthood and will eventually serve in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois if he and God will it to be so. In 2015, St. Edward the Confessor Parish celebrated their 125 year anniversary.
After the arrival of Father Michael Lanning, OFM, in 1986, the "St. Edward the Confessor”, Saint Day, October 13th was celebrated. A St. Edward Wood Carving was carved by Father Tom Brown, OFM, of Quincy College. The wood carving was completed a year later after the arrival of Father Louis Davino, OFM.
The image of our holy patron, Edward the Confessor, Saint and Sovereign, cousin of William the Conqueror, beloved of Thomas of Becket, guardian angel of the English nation. This great saint confessed, that is, professed the Catholic faith by an exemplary life, a life distinguished by reconciliation of the hostile, charity for the needy, and good will toward all.
He rest today in London, at his beloved Westminster Abbey, nearly a thousand years after his death, in a tomb which thousands visit annually. There, in the great coronation church, in the chief resting place of English kings and notables, amid the pomp of centuries, a royal galaxy surrounds his shrine. Nearby the coronation chair is placed, surmounting the Stone of Destiny.
The destiny brings him from London to Mendon. Here you keep green his holy faith and his holy name amid field and pasture, in a small parish church, but a church his humble heart would have dearly loved. It is fitting to recall the noble prayer offered at the coronation of English kings:
God crown you with a crown of glory and righteousness, that having a right faith and manifold fruit of good works, you may obtain the crown of an everlasting kingdom by the gift of him whose kingdom endureth forever.
This is our prayer in homage to the patron of this church. This is our prayer for one another, that we too may merit the crown of everlasting life in Christ Jesus, the Great King.
Other Changes
Father Michael Lanning, OFM, established our first Finance Council in 1986 and the same year the communion rails were removed from the church the Tabernacle was moved from the center altar to the right side of the sanctuary. The wood altar build by Father Kuvacic was donated to North Adams Home in memory of Father Kuvacic and the outdoor Christmas Nativity
Scene was also donated to North Adams Home. A new sound system was also installed that same year by Mr. Tim Bealor. Father Michael Lanning, OFM, also held Mass at North Adams Home.
Under the direction of Father Michael Lanning, OFM, in 1987, Mr. Duane Shaffer was instrumental in designing the frame and stand for the bell and sign. Mr. Jerry Kuhn laid the stone with several parishioners volunteering their time to pour concrete. That same year the St. Edward Hall was named Kuvacic Hall in memory of Father Kuvacic.
In 1987, two new trustees were appointed to serve three year terms, Mr. Duane Shaffer and Mrs. Mary Benz, Mr. William Hilgenbrinck was appointed to stay on one more year.
In 1988, when Father Louis Davino, OFM, was appointed pastor, the Altar of Sacrifice was removed form the center wall and placed in the center of the sanctuary. A piano fund was set up in 1988 by the Liturgy Committee. An Italian Spaghetti Dinner was prepared by Father Louis Davino with all proceeds going to the piano fund.
From July 1988 to July 1989, a parish Advisory Board headed by Mr. Tim Bealor was appointed by Father Louis Davino, OFM, under the supervision of Father Louis Davino, OFM, until Sister Lucile Gbur, OFM, came in July 1988.
In July 1988 to January 1989, Sister Lucile Gbur was appointed Lay Pastoral Administrator. Father Louis Davino, OFM, was appointed Interim Administrator until July 1989. Father Louis Schlangen was appointed pastor of St. Edward's in July of 1989.
In just a short time a new car was purchased for Sister Lucile Gbur, OFM, and sold shortly after the arrival of Father Louis Schlangen.
Weekday Masses were reinstated as of July 1989 with St. Edward's now having a full time pastor. A 25th Anniversary Mass and reception was held that same year in honor of Sister Janet Voss, CPPS.
A new Parish Pastoral Council was elected by the Parish and Finance Council appointed in 1989. Officers elected to the Parish Pastoral Council were: Chairman - Mr. Terry Ellerman, Vice Chairman - Mr. Carl Adair and Secretary - Mrs. Kathy Frese.
St. Edwards was in need of more classrooms, so in 1989 Father Schlangen designed partitions for classrooms in Kuvacic Hall and the classrooms were completed in 1990.
The stained glass windows, a project discussed in prior years was finally completed. The windows were designed by Sister Hiltrudis Powers, CPPS, of O'Fallon, Missouri. Each window top and bottom, representing the Eucharistic Prayers #1, 2, 3 and 4. The windows were donated in memory of a deceased family member or living family members. Money is also set aside for a window in memory of Father Marin Kuvacic.
Blacktop repairs were started in the fall of 1989 and hope to be completed in the year of 1990. On Monday, May 28th, Memorial Day, Mass was celebrated at the Bloomfield Cemetery by Father Louis Schlangen. There were over seventy persons in attendance.
A 33rd Anniversary Mass and reception was held in honor of Father Louis Schlangen on May 30th, 1990. Also a 100th Anniversary Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, June 20th, 1990 at 8:00 p.m. with a reception following in Kuvacic Hall.
St. Edward's Festival was held Sunday, July, 1990, with all proceeds going towards our 100th Anniversary book. A Mass was celebrated on July 15th, 1990, for the Extra Ordinary Minister's with each receiving a certificate of appreciation for their time and effort. A Mass will be held at a later date by Bishop Daniel Ryan, at the closing of our 100th Anniversary in June of 1991.
Under the direction of Father Louis Schlangen, several long and short term goals have been established. The finishing of the blacktop, more stained glass windows, painting of the steeple, reconstruction of the basement wall in the rectory and a new roof on the church.
With faith and the hard work of the parishioners these short and long term goals will be accomplished.
In 2005, the Franciscans pulled out of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Joseph Parish on Columbus Road. Fr. Louis Schlangen then became pastor of St. Joseph in addition to his duties at St. Edward. Mass schedules and times were adjusted and both St. Edward the Confessor and St. Joseph went from three weekend masses to only two after the merger.
Restructuring again occurred in 2007 when Fr. Jeff Stone was made the New Administrator of St. Edward Church in Mendon, St. Joseph Church in rural Quincy, and St. Brigid Church in Liberty, Illinois. Fr. Louis Schlangen retired in 2007 and he also celebrated his Golden Jubilee of priesthood ordination that year. Also, in 2007, Deacon Terry Ellerman and Deacon Mike Ellerman both of St. Edward Church of Mendon were ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Springfield.
In 2007, the offices were also consolidated in the merger. Fr. Lou had let go the office staff from St. Edward and the book-keeping duties and sacramental record keeping were transferred to St. Brigid office while the editing of the bulletin and the overseeing of liturgical scheduling were handled by the St. Joseph office.
With a three parish pastoral unit, the Mass schedules had to be reduced. St. Edward now had only Sunday Mass at 10:00AM and St. Joseph in 2007 had only a 6:30PM Mass on Saturday. St. Brigid had a 4:30PM Mass on Saturday and an 8:00AM Mass on Sunday.
In 2008, an adjustment was made so that all parishes in the unit could have a Sunday Mass. St. Brigid Mass was moved to 7:30AM, St. Joseph Mass to 9:00AM and St. Edward the Confessor now had Mass at 10:30AM. Since Fr. Jeff Stone arrived, the old rectory was fixed up and more classrooms were put in it so as to eliminate the need of using the partitions in the Parish Hall.
The Parking lot was improved with new concrete south of the Church as well as a new roof was installed on the rectory and the blacktop has been recoated as needed. Also, a new multipurpose building was built just South of the Church.
In 2012, an additional Weekend Mass was added at 8:00PM on Saturday to accommodate shift workers from the Quincy and Mendon areas. In 2014, a new digital Carillon Bell system was installed. St. Edward Church of Mendon sponsored a boy scout troop 43 in that same year. Also, in 2014, Fr. Melvin Kuhn was ordained for the Diocese of Sioux Falls South Dakota. Fr. Melvin Kuhn was able to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving and was able to stay a couple weeks celebrating many weekday masses at St. Edward. Also, in 2014, Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck was ordained for the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois. Fr. Melvin Kuhn's younger brother, Aaron, also assisted in the Parish during the summer of 2014 as a Seminarian. He is studying for the priesthood and will eventually serve in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois if he and God will it to be so. In 2015, St. Edward the Confessor Parish celebrated their 125 year anniversary.
Parishes of
St. Brigid, Liberty, IL – St Edward, Mendon, IL – St. Joseph, Quincy, IL
St. Brigid, Liberty, IL – St Edward, Mendon, IL – St. Joseph, Quincy, IL