Not Just any Old Church: Uncovering Central-Missouri’s German Past
Washington Country Missouri is, by no means, a top world-travel destination. In fact, most Missourians can’t even point it out on a map! They would be surprised to learn, however, that Washington Missouri is jam-packed full of immigrant history. Germans fleeing European political turmoil voyaged across the Atlantic Ocean to St. Louis, where they spread out to smaller agrarian communities along the Missouri River Valley. This is how Washington, Missouri came to be.
One of the most prominent features of the historic downtown skyline is the beautiful St. Francis Borgia Catholic church. The church that stands today was not initially the original church. The first one was a humble wooden structure built in 1834 by twelve German immigrant families. The third church, the one that stands today, was built from January 1866 and March 1869. The third, construction was overseen by Fr. Martin Seisl, S.J. The surname “Seisl” can be traced back to Bremen Germany, where many immigrants boarded ships and left for St. Louis.
Any spectator gazing upon St. Francis’s exterior knows instantly that this is a place of worship. Rather than staying low to the ground like modern churches today, St. Francis’s steeple stretches towards the heavens. The purpose of this steeple is to point everyone’s attention and focus to the sky where God is watching over us. This is an easy indicator that this church was designed using the traditional gothic architectural style. Not surprisingly, this was a style that originated in Europe during the Medieval period. The mere fact that St. Francis fits with this style demonstrates its European, and specifically, German influence.
At the top of the church, the steeple features a massive clock and bell tower. It may seem trivial, but I believe it is quite telling. When this church was built, Washington was just starting out as a young town. The church was very intentionally built in the heart of the town on Main Street. This means that the church’s clock and bells were likely the main source of time-telling in the entire town. The church was literally the center of the community that kept everyone organized and in routine. This demonstrates how important faith is the German population. It is a part of their identity. It is not something that is hidden or forgotten about; rather, their faith is constantly at the front of their lives. In my opinion, this is one of the most admirable qualities Germans brought to America.
Another major aspect of St. Francis Borgia’s history is that it was founded by a Jesuit. Afterall, St. Francis Borgia was a Jesuit himself. He was canonized for renouncing his life as a royal European elite, and instead, he decided to make several mission trips to India where he served the locals and spread the good news of the Gospels. He founded multiple universities in Europe as well. The Society of Jesus, the Catholic Order of Jesuits, have always been known for their pursuit of excellent education and their dedication to missionary trips around the world. Jesuits seminarians, or “Scholastics” go through rigorous training processes and are required to go on a missionary without any money living off only the kindness of strangers alone.
This history is crucial for the church in Washington. It explains why there was a Jesuit travelling around the outskirts of America. In fact, Jesuits have been settling in America since as early as 1611 in Maine! In Missouri, Jesuits had already founded what would become St. Louis University in as early as 1818. St. Francis Borgia would have been one of their first settlements West of St. Louis.
Today, the German influence is covered from generational gaps, but the Jesuit influence is very much alive. St. Francis Borgia High School is still a prominent part of the Washington community. They provide fantastic education investing in Washington’s future. They also have countless food drives and service projects running at all times of the year. Just like the original German immigrants had intended, St. Francis Borgia Church has remained the heart and soul of the community. Today, it is a place where all are welcome and free.
Looking through the different German and Jesuit lenses helps us understand this beautiful church’s complicated past. Looking broadly, however, can show how connected everyone’s history is to one another. It is important to look through all lenses when trying to uncover the historical truth about something. The German and Catholic histories are so intertwined at times it can be impossible to tell them apart. Hopefully, I’ve demonstrated that this is no ordinary church. This church unlocks the door into not only the history of Washington, Missouri, but also the history of German immigration to America.
