Cure of Ars is a permanently closed Catholic parish in Shrewsbury, MO. The parish was founded in 1966. The parish closed in 2023.
- Year founded: 1966
- Year closed: 2023 (57 years)
- Territory merged into: St. Michael the Archangel - Shrewsbury (Currently Open)
The parish was closed in 2023 with the "All Things New" parish closures (August 1, 2023).
The Parish was established by Joseph Cardinal Ritter in 1966 and was comprised of families from the following parishes: Holy Redeemer, Annunciation, Saint Dominic Savio, Seven Holy Founders and Saint Michael the Archangel. The first Mass was celebrated on September 11, 1966, at the former Saint Louis Preparatory Seminary South, the chapel of which served as the temporary church for the Parish until the completion of the Parish church built on the site of former property of Kenrick Seminary in Shrewsbury.
The first Baptism in the Parish was of Christopher Barnhorst on July 20, 1966; the first Marriage was between Mr. Norbert Terragno and Miss Dora Alice Gutierrez on November 24, 1966; the first Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Mr. George Coe, on January 20, 1967; the first Parish Meeting was in January, 1967, when the Cure of Ars Parish Assembly, predecessor of the Parish Pastoral Council, was established.
The following are those who have served as Pastor of the Parish: the Reverend Louis Kertz, 1966-1975; the Reverend Lambert Hrdlicka, 1975-1985; the Reverend Monsignor Clarence Good, 1985- 2003; the Reverend Monsignor Kevin Callahan, 2003-2004; the Reverend Philip Bené, 2005-2008; the Reverend Monsignor Mark Rivituso, 2008-2013; and the Reverend James J. Byrnes, 2013-present.
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The cornerstone of the church was laid in November 1967, construction was completed in time for Christmas Midnight Mass in 1968, and solemnly dedicated by John Cardinal Carberry on September 13, 1969.
In 1991, on the occasion of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Parish, Monsignor Good made many needed improvements to the interior of the church.
In 2005, the Parish acquired a crucifix from the former Saint Aloysius Gonzags Church in South Saint Louis. The crucifix, the corpus of which is made of wood and was carved in southern Germany in the late 1800s, was subsequently restored and installed in the sanctuary above and behind the altar. The ends of the cross contain relics of three early Christian martyrs: Saint Ireneaus, Bishop, Saint Vincent, and Saint Liberatus, Abbot. The crucifix is dedicated to the late Reverend Monsignor John Maguire, who served at the Parish during the last years of his life.
In 2005, the Parish also acquired the pipe organ of the former Saint Boniface Church in Carondelet. The four rank Wicks organ, which was originally constructed in 1960, was reconditioned, and subsequently installed in the church.
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