Behind the Bark

Phillippe Francis Renault. a mining engineer and the son of a well-known ironmaster, sailed from his native homeland, Picardy, France, in 1720 and came to the region now known as Missouri. He brought M. LaMotte, a man noted for his knowledge of minerals, and two hundred miners and laborers and artisans of every sort, well-supplied with mining instruments. He even brought 15,000 bricks, each stamped with his name. with which to fashion furnaces. He came with a purpose of opening silver mines in this region after having received a grant from the King of France to do such.
On his way to New Orleans, Renault stopped at San Domingo and purchased five hundred Negro slaves to work in his Missouri mines. These were probably the first Negro slaves to ever be brought to Missouri.

He explored for minerals in the vicinity of Kaskaskia and crossed tot he West side of the Mississippi. Only a few traces of silver were discovered but lead was found in abounding, quantities. He set up mines along tile Mississippi and continued to explore going North. As early as 1723 he explored the country around what is now Potosi, Old Mines. and Richwoods. Here he opened new mines and employed many of the Acadians who had settled in Ste. Genevieve and nearby settlements. Later. those who worked in the mines moved with their families to the mining-areas of Potosi, Old Mines, and Richwoods, where they built log houses and settled in little villages within easy distance of their work.
Renault worked a mine in what is now Madison County, named Mine-a-LaMotte. He also had mines along Fourche-Renault Creek and Mineral Fork and Old Mines in Washington County. His two main mining operations, however, were at Old Mines and Mine-a-LaMotte. For more than twenty years Renault refined the lead ore in his crude furnaces and hauled it to Fort Chartres in "Horse-Collar" molds, placed around the necks of pack horses. In 1744 Renault went broke and returned to France.
The English defeated the French in a series of wars and in 1763 forced France to cede all of French Louisiana East of the Mississippi plus Canada to Great Britain. The English demolished Fort Des Chartres and forced many of the French inhabitants of Acadia, the present day Nova Scotia, to either adopt English laws, customs, and religious beliefs or leave the country. About 1765, after the English occupation, many of the Acadiaiis migrated to French Louisiana and some settled around Ste. Genevieve, and in other French villages in Louisiana including Old Mines. The United States purchased French Louisiana in 1804 and these settlers became citizens of the English speaking United States.
All of these people, both miners and slaves were Catholic whose spiritual needs were supplied by the Jesuit Fathers of Kaskaskia who visited the village of Old Mines at regular intervals. These visitations continued until the year 1793 when the priests at Ste. Genevieve took charge of the spiritual interests of the pioneers. At other times, the inhabitants traveled to Fort Des Chartres on the Illinois side of the Mississippi for Baptisms and the reception of other sacraments. The records -there in the Church of Saint Ann in an entry dated September 18, 1748 show that Pierre Vivarenne and his wife had gone there for that reason from the village of.Old Mines. An entry in a book in Ste. Genevieve shows that on February 26, 1758 Rev. Ph. Francis Watrin, S. J. signed his name as "Cure de St. Joachin" which means priest or pastor of St. Joachim. Around the year 1759 the parish was definitely organized as a settlement called the "Poste de Saint Joachim." It was most probably a military post under Spanish rule. In a letter dated January 25, 1792, Rev. Joseph de 6randda, Capuchin, states that he has been chaplin in Vegia Miniere (Old Mines).
From the time that the first miners arrived until Father Henry Pratte built the first log church of which there are records in 1821, the people of Old Mines must have undoubtedly built other churches. Tradition has it that there were three log churches erected before the present church building was begun.
The land upon which the present Church rests with the surrounding cemeteries and fields was part of the Old Mines Concession in Washington County comprising Lots 6, 7. and 8. The original Old Mines Grant was 10, 548 acres. On January 4, 1803 the Spanish Government authorities gave these three lots to three individuals. The Spanish Government conceded Lot 6 to Joseph Boyer who sold it to Jacob Wise who in turn sold the land to Etienne and Marie Louise Lamarque on June 13, 1836. Marie Louise later donated it to Peter Richard Kenrick, Archbishop of St. Louis, on January 1, 1856. This is the land known as the old graveyard or Cemetery Number 1.
The Spanish Government conceded Lot 7 to Alexander Duclus (Declos) (His wife was Julia). Lot 8 was conceded by the Spanish Government to Charles Robert. Lots 7 and 8 were sold on February 21, 1814 to John Smith T., who sold the land to Joseph Rosati, Bishop of St. Louis on March 29, 1830 "for the sole use and Purpose of erecting a Catholic Church ...Bishop Rosati sold the land to John Timon and John Boullier on April 4, 1836 "upon the express condition of erecting a Catholic Church on the said premises and that the said premises shall be used for the use of the Catholic Church and no other-" John Boullier, on November 10, 1849 sold some of the land giving all "rights and titles to the Church land to Thomas Burke and John J. Lynch. They sold it for $400 to Peter Richard Kenrick, Archbishop of St. Louis, paid for by Madame Lamarque on October 18, 1854 for the "use and benefit of the Roman Catholic members of the congregation of the Church, of St. Joachim." This, however, was not the site where the present church is. The land where the Church is now was sold for $1.00 to Archbishop Kenrick by Thomas Burke and John J. Lynch on December 16, 1850 before any agreement for the rest of the land was made. This plot "containing twenty-two and 50/100 acres, more or less, is understood to be the land on which to build the Roman Catholic Church of St. Joachim, commonly known as the Church of the Old Mines." It is interesting to take note of the fact that the Church was built on the land where it is now before it was owned by the Church.
John Smith T. one of the former owners of the land, was a gunsmith. He was born in 1770 in Essex County, Virginia. He was a wealthy landowner and possessed two Negroes who worked constantly for him making firearms. He had a mine at Shibboleth which produced 3,125,000 pounds of bar and pig lead in 1811. He is best known for his curious name. Having been confused with several other men of the same name he added a T for his home state Tennessee to distinguish himself.
Etienne Lamarque, another landowner, was a native of France. He married Marie Louise Bolduc, daughter of Louis Bolduc of Ste. Genevieve, merchant, lead miner, and landowner. Lamarque was the main contributor of funds for the construction of St. Joachim Church.
In 1802 there were fifteen French families settled in Old Mines forming a village. Of these fifteen families thirty-one received a confirmation of land grants from the Congress including Lots 6, 7, and 8 which were already mentioned. In 1803 the population of Old Mines was 32 men, 13 women, 12 children, and 18 slaves. 360,000 pounds of lead was produced in that year in Old Mines. Some of the early settlers were P. P. Boyer, Joseph Boyer, Charles Boyer, William 0. Carr, John B. Portell, A. Declos, Charles P. Robert, Joseph Pratt, Widow Coleman, F. B.Valle, Joseph Bequette, Pierce Martin, Jacob Boise, B. St. Gemme, Nicholas Bouelvian, Jaque Gibbourd, and Bernard Coleman. La-Plant Boyer was most probably the first white child borii in 0ld Mines in 1801.
In 1819 there was 45,000 pounds of ore raised between Old Mines and Bellefontaine Mines with 20 hands at work. John 0. Long was the superintendent of the Union Mining and Smelting Company, whose furnaces were located at Old Mines, about six miles North of Potosi. Mr. Long stated that the average yield from the mines of his company was about 1,000,000 pounds of lead and 2,000,00 pounds of baryte, or tiff, a year.
About this time Old Mines was described as such: Old Mines is a straggling village on the creek of that name, commencing about five miles North of Potosi, and following down the branch about two miles. It contains, first the lead furnace of the Union Mining & Smelting Company, and their store and a post office; next below, the lead furnace of James D. Lowry; the Catholic Church and public schoolhouse; the store of Owen Campbell; the Baptist Church; next the stores of John B. Ross and Adrian Coleman; and the store and post office kept by C. B. Gray.
Father Henry Pratte, C. M. built one of the first churches of logs in 1821 when he arrived from Ste. Genevieve to care for the spiritual needs of the people of Old Mines. There were probably other churches built before Father Pratte came. Tradition has it that three log churches were erected before the present one.
Construction on the present church began in 1828 when Father John Boullier, C.M. took over as pastor. He was ordained on March 11,1826 and two years later received his first pastorate at St. Joachim. Besides beginning construction on the church, Fr. Boullier set to work on establishing St. Joachim as a parish, which had not up to this time been done. The official request sent to Bishop Rosati that St. Joachim be recognized as a parish, reads as follows: "I the undersigned, by the authority of the Most Reverend and Most Illustrious Lord, Rosati, Bishop of St. Louis, and not merely administrator of this illustrious diocese, and with the approval of the apostolic delegate, have taken charge of the parish of St. Joachim at Old Mines which before had no permanent pastor; in the year of Our Lord, 1828, on the twenty-fifth day of July. (signed) Joannes Boullier." Thus, Joannes Boullier became the first of many resident pastors of St. Joachim.
On October 9, 1831, the present church was dedicated. On October 1, the bishop, Rosati, Grace and Lord of the St. Louis Archdiocese, assisted by Rev. Francis Cellini, Rev. Francis Xavier Dahmer, Rev. John Odin, Rev. Louis Rondot, Rev. John Tyman. Rev. Philip Bogna, Rev. Angelo Mascaroni, Rev. Regis Loisel, and Rev. Benoit Roux, all priests of the St. Louis Archdiocese, with Louis Tucker, Frederick Laucier, Hilary Tucker, George Hamilton, and John Shannon, all clericks in the seminary, rode from Perryville to St. Michael's, Fredericktown, and from there to Old Mines where he consecrated the church in the Parish of Old Mines for the inhabitants and the priest of that parish, to the honor of God under the invocation of St. Louis and St. Joachim. And reliques of the saints and martyrs were placed in the altar which was also consecrated. All the ceremonies were observed as prescribed by the Roman Pontifical. Re. John Tyman preached the English sermon and Rev. Louis Randot the French sermon. There were a large number of Catholics and Protestants who attended the services.
In the fall and winter of 1833-1834, Father John Boullier had as his guest and part-time assistant, Father John St. Cyr, the priest who built the first church in Chicago. Father St. Cyr had been on a tour seeking funds for his struggling church in Chicago and stopped to spend the winter months with Father Boullier. In a letter to Bishop Rosati. June 4, 1833, Father St. Cyr said: "Everything proclaims that Chicago will one day become a great town and one of commercial importance."
The next pastor which the records mention something of importance of was Father John Cotter who had been pastor of the church from 1841-1851. He lies buried beneath the sanctuary of the church. He has been described as a most sincere and self-sacrificing man who was almost worshiped by Protestants as well as by Catholics. His untimely death was the result of his being thrown against a tree by his shying horse.
Reverend James Fox was pastor of S Joachim from 1852-1868. He was a man deeply concerned in both the spiritual and temporal welfare of his people. He, as we already said, enlarged the church. He also built a school. During his first year at Old Mines he was ably assisted by Father John Hogan, ordained April 10, 1852, who later became pastor of Potosi and then the first Bishop of Kansas City. Fr. Fox also opened the first lending library for Washington County which was established at St. Joachim in 1866. In his display of zeal and charity, he was greatly assisted by Madame Lamarque, who had been a long-time resident of Old Mines and a worthy Christian. At her death in 1868, Fr. Fox recorded: " . . . Her hands were ever open to the cause of religion here and most magnificently witnessed among many other of her charitable acts, too numerous to mention; the enlargement of this church principally due to her, its beautiful paintings entirely paid for by her, and the erection of the school house at her sole expense."
At that time the building had a frontage of thirty feet and a length of one hundred ten feet. Its steeple was fifty feet in height. It originally had box pews and gates, and walls and ceilings were frescoed. The church was enlarged in 1852-1858 by Father James Fox. On November 12, 1854 the church was blessed and placed under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph by Rev. A. S. Paris. Priest of the Cathedral Church of The Diocese of St. Louis, assisted by Rev. J. Caffrey and Rev. S. Grugan, in the presence of a large concourse of people. It was then reconsecrated by Bishop Duggan on November 15,1857.
Thus, Joannes Boullier became the first of many resident pastors of St. Joachim. On October 9, 1831, the present church was dedicated. On October 1, the bishop, Rosati, Grace and Lord of the St. Louis Archdiocese, assisted by Rev. Francis Cellini, Rev. Francis Xavier Dahmer, Rev. John Odin, Rev. Louis Rondot, Rev. John Tymaii. Rev. Philip Bogna, Rev. Angelo Mascaroni, Rev. Regis Loisel, and Rev. Benoit Roux, all priests of the St. Louis Archdiocese, with Louis Tucker, Frederick Laucier, Hilary Tucker, George Hamilton, and John Shannon, all clericks in the seminary, rode from Perryville to St. Michael's, Fredericktown, and from there to Old Mines where he consecrated the church in the Parish of Old Mines for the inhabitants and the priest of that parish, to the honor of God under the invocation of St. Lbuis and St. Joachim. And reliques of the saints and martyrs were placed in the altar which was also consecrated. All the ceremonies were observed as prescribed by the Roman Pontifical. Re. John Tyman preached the English sermon and Rev. Louis Randot the French sermon. There were a large number of Catholics and Protestants who attended the services.

In the fall and winter of 1833-1834, Father John Boullier had as his guest and part-time assistant, Father John St. Cyr, the priest who built the first church in Chicago. Father St. Cyr had been on a tour seeking funds for his straggling church in Chicago and stopped to spend the winter months with Father Boullier. In a letter to Bishop Rosati. June 4, 1833, Father St. Cyr said: "Everything proclaims that Chicago will one day become a great town and one of commercial importance."
The next pastor which the records mention something of importance of was Father John Cotter who had been pastor of the church from 1841-1851. He lies buried beneath the sanctuary of the church. He has been described as a most sincere and self-sacrificing man who was almost -worshipped by Protestants as'well as by Catholics. His untimely death was the result of his being thrown against a tree by his shying horse.
Reverend James Fox was pastor of St. Joachim from 1852-1868. He was a man deeply concerned in both the spiritual and temporal welfare of his people. He, as we already said, enlarged the church. He also built a school. During his first year at Old Mines he was ably assisted by -Father John Hogan, ordained April 10, 1852, who later became pastor of Potosi and then the first Bishop of Kansas City. Fr. Fox also opened the first lending library for Washington County which was established at St. Joachim in 1866. In his display of zeal and charity, he was greatly assisted by Madame Lamarque, who had been a long-time resident of Old Mines and a worthy Christian. At her death in 1868, Fr. Fox recorded:
" . . . Her hands were ever open to the cause of religion here and most magnificently witnessed among many other of her charitable acts, too numerous to mention; the enlargement of this church principally due to her, its beautiful paintings @entirely paid for by her, and the erection of the school house at her sole expense." At that time the building had a frontage of thirty feet and a length Of One hundred ten feet. Its steeple was fifty feet in height. It originally had box pews and gates, and walls and ceilings were frescoed. The church was enlarged in 1852-1858 by Father James Fox.


The first school with nuns (Old Convent) was opened in 1924 by Rev. John Patrick Daly. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland and was ordained in 1916 at Kenrick Seminary. There are records of a school being opened by Father James Fox sometime during the years of 1852-1868 but there are not very many records as to enrollment or teachers. The Building used was that one known as "Teen Town" which was built by Aadame Lamarque. Maude Flynn and Helen DeClue taught school before the Sisters came.

Father Daly met Mother Ernest of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word at the railroad station in DeSoto in August of 1924. With her were Sister Catherine of Bologna, Sister Mary Gonzaga, and Sister Mary Anne. They were greeted by the St. Joseph's Society who were mounted and in full regalia. The blessing of the school (Old Convent) took place September 10, 1924 with Monsignor Tanratli presiding. He was accompanied by Father Lowery and Father Murray.
The first school day found 109 students registered. The total enrollment reached 150 by t e ginning of the year.

In 1929 Mother Evangelista, who had replaced Mother Ernest, died of pneumonia and was replaced by Mother Mary of the Cross, her sister. That same year saw '-)47 people confirmed by Archbishop Glennon. There were 25 eighth grade graduates in 1934. This was the largest number since the opening of--the school. On June 5 of that same year Bishop C. H. Winkelman, D. D. confirmed 333 at St. Joachim Church. In September of that year 213 pupils registered for school. This number marked the largest in the history of the school. Nineteen thirty-seven saw a renovation of the school house take place under the direction of Mother Rose Therese. At that time the sisters named the little school building, which Fr. Fox had build and which was in use, "The University." Also, another marked improvement took place on the parish grounds as is recorded in the records of the Sisters: October 23, 1937-- Today the old barns have disappeared leaving a marked improvement. The beginning of the Hot Luncti Program began on October 19, 1949. Mrs. Daugherty was the cook and dietician and Mrs. DeClue was her helper. This was another step ahead for the pupils of St. Joachim School.


The need for a larger building was soon realized by the people of St. Joachim. With the original planning done by Father Vincent L. Naes, and the rest of the work carried out by Father Edward E. Bruemmer, ground breaking for the new grade school took place on July 3, 1949. The first floor of the school cost S 108,662.7 5. A. F. and Arthur Stauder were the Architects and A. H. Cheatham was the Contractor.

The corner stone was laid on November 13, 1949. The Most Rev. Charles H. Heimsing, D. D., Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis, presided over the ceremony. The address was given by Rev. James E. Hoflicii, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, The Nlaster of Cerenioiiiesk&,as Rev. Bernard A. Suellentrop.

On September 6, 1950 the school opened with 396 pupils in the grade school and 36 pupil!; in the ninth grade. May 18, 1951 saw the graduation of 34 eighth grade students. This was the largest in the history of the school at St. Joachim. May 15. 1952 saw the graduation of 45 eighth grade students and 22 tenth grade students. May 14, 1953 once again brought a large number of students to the completion of their eighth grade education-44 this time. Nine students also graduated from high school in this year.

On March 26, 1954 work began on the second story of the new school. The cost of the second floor was $65,198.69. The Architects were A. F. and Arthur Stauder and Contractors were Mueller and Becker. The heating system cost an additional $6,000.00 with Henry C. Scott, Contractor.

On September 11, 1954 the second floor of the new school was opened and all moved in. On October 7 of the same year the Most Rev. Charles H. Helmsing returned to bless this new second floor.

April 21, 1955 saw the first Junior-seniior Banquet at St. Joachim High School. The next day, April 22, saw the first Junior-Seniior Prom at St.Joachim too.

September 9, 1954 found the enrollment up to 460 in the grade school and 103 in the high school. September 7, 1956 saw the total enrollment grow to 540, and September 6, 1957 saw the all time high for total enrollment for St. Joachim: 640 students. This total has never been reached since that year.


The first graduating class of St. Joachim High School received honors on May 25, 1954. The five members of this class were Mary Loreda Boyer, Marianne Roderique, Benedict Hanson, Paul Bourisaw, and Gregory Bequette.

On May 25, 1956 the first group of Seniors to graduate from St. Joachim High School received their diplomas. The speaker for the was Rev. Thomas Flynn. Those occasion Graduating were: Natalie Vilinier, Mary Elizabeth Sansoucie, Ruth Politte, Cyrilla Ann Boyer, Robert Hall, Thomas Davis, Cecil Heifner, Dorothy Wall, William Portell, David Jackson, Anthony DeClue, Mary Theresa Charboneau, Jane Young, Shelba Portell, Norman Wilson, Charles Pashia, Joliniiy BeqLlette, and Sherman Selimidt.

In 1957 Rev. Alphionsus H. Hoorman began a Debt Reduction Campaign in order to reduce the parish debt on the school. The campaign was begun on March I I with the goal of $40,000. It was concluded on April 5, 1957 with a total of $49,700 realized. "A parish united and spirited as St. Joachim could not and did not fail."

St. Joachim School has had a long history of devoted students and an active Student Council. On March 20, 1968 St. Joachim High School began the National Honor Society, the St- Louis IX Chapter, another breakthrough for St. Joachim students. The six original members were Shelia Boyer, Mary Ann Politte, Jerry DeClue, Phillis Koch, Regina Daugherty, and Mark Boyer.


On July 20,1941 Father Vincent Naes called a parish meeting in the church to which there were 175 present. He appointed five men to head a committee and five to be elected for the building of a new rectory. Those men appointed were Lawrence Pashia, Racola. Kernan Paul, Happy Hollow; Pat Daly, Old Mines- A. H. Long. Cadet; Pat DeClue, Tin Can. Those men elected were Bernard Politte, Old Mines; Morgan Ronquest, Belfountain; Fred Politte, Sr., Frog Town; Marvin Politte, Fountain Farm, Earl Bequette, Shibboleth. Roy J. Boyer also volunteered for the Bliss District. It was decided that pledge cards would be handed out and a donation of $10 would be expected from each family.

On July 3 another meeting was held and Father Naes told the committee his plans for the new rectory. The house was to be 27 feet by 45 feet and two stories. The Plans for the house were drawn up by a friend of Father Naes from Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in St. Louis. The contractors were men from the parish: Fred Politte, Sr., Charles F. Boyer, and Noah E. Politte, all carpenters of the parish. These men would be responsible to see that all the plans be carried out and provide something to do for any one who wished to donate his labor.
The September 2 meeting presented the committee with the problem of filling the vacancy of the deceased member of the committee, Earl Bequette. Cecil G. Sclimidt was elected as his successor.

As the meeting progressed such things as brick, nails and the digging of the basement were discussed. At a subsequent meeting lumber bids were accepted with J. B. Boyer winning. Also Henry Hartzel was thanked for digging the basement. Other things such as concrete facings and brick lanying by Chapman for $835 were discussed. Brick was to be purchased from Jackson for $ 16.50 per thousand. Steel was purchased for $177. $600 for mill work was accepted as the best bid by J. B. Boyer and Son. Also electrical fixtures were purchased at $223. Other things approved were rock wool insulation for $59.50 by J.B. Boyer and Son; plastering for $228 by Armbrusters. plastering material for $166.75 by J. B. Boyer and son; rock laths for $223 by J. B. Boyer and Son: plumbing fixtures for the bath rooms at $88 per room. Wages for the carpenter helpers were settled on at $ .35 per hour and $.30 per hour for labor.


The committee met again on October 6 and the amount of brick was discussed. It was decided that the building would require 20,000 face brick, 5,000 backing brick, and 4,500 tile. Ernest Pearce donated the backing brick which saved the parish $80. Father Naes then went on to state that samples of water from both wells on the premises had been analyzed and the one nearest the house had been condemned. It was agreed to have it drilled deeper and fixed properly. This also eliminated the problem of a cistern. The bid of $420 for asphalt tile flooring was accepted. The bid of $184 for plumbing work was also accepted.
A progress report was given at the meeting on October 20, 85 sacks of cement had been used for the footing of the basement. The cost of the sand had been $11. Rubber covering for the stairs would cost $.90 per step. The bid of $ 178 for asphalt roofing was accepted by I.B. Boyer and Son. Mr. Perritt of Boiine Terre received the job for the electrical work with a bid of $22. Also it was agreed that the electric company put in two new poles. Mr. Schmelig donated the fixtures for the house along with the wiring which saved the par'ish $225. South Iron Company received the work for the heating system with a bid of $691.50.
On November 3 another progress report was given. The basement had been completed with 320 sacks of cement being used which cost $208. Also the financial end of the building was report- ed on. Pledges had amounted to $1457 and $1237 had been paid out in bills.

December 1, 1941 was the date of another progress report. The well had been drilled and the casing had been set at 65 feet and the well was now 124 feet deep. The brick layers were coming along nicely and the roof would be on in twenty days. Conrad's bid for plumbing was accepted but he then refused to do the work so Mahn from DeSoto was elected to do the work with the next lowest bid.
Mr. Williams was hired to do finishing work at $.80 per hour. Father Naes also reported on a donation of $400 which he had received from Mr. Hofstetter, Assistant General Manager of National Lead Company. The pledges had now amounted to $3000 and $1664 had been paid out in bills. Frank Braces' bid of $165 was accepted for the painting.

April 20, 1942 was a memorable day for the men on this building committee. The meeting was held in the new rectory. The first order of business was the blessing of the new building by Father Naes assisted by Father Donovan. Each comittee man agreed to get some help for finishing some concrete walks around the new building and also for tearing down the old building. Discussion then followed as to getting the entrance of the driveway widened and the entire driveway oiled.

The building being completed the committee was honourably dismissed and the final meeting, as usual. closed with a prayer.


As mentioned before, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word came to Old Mines in August 1924. They lived in what is now the Old Convent; using the lower level for teaching purposes and the upper level for living quarters.

It was in the latter part of the 1960's that the need for a new convent was realized. The teaching staff of the Incarnate Word Sisters had grown to ten and there was no longer sufficient room in the Old Convent.

Ground breaking was done and the two story brick structure was erected by Boyer and Aubuchon Contractors of Old Mines. The cost of the building was $35.000. Indeed it was a tribute to the people of St. Joachim.

On December 10, 1967 the New Convent was dedicated for the Sisters of St. Joachim. Thanksgiving services were held in the church at 4 p.m. Benediction services were pronounced by Rev. Anthony Jansen, Associate Pastor of St. Joachim after which the Incarnate Word Sisters, Monsignor Naes, Rev. Suellentrop, and Rev. Jansen led a procession from the church to the convent for the dedication services.

Monsignor Vincent L. Naes, pastor of St. Cecilia's Parish, St. Louis, and a former pastor of St. Joachim's blessed the new building. He presided from the balcony over the front entrance to the building; presenting scripture readings, the lesson for the Feast of St. Joachim, and then spoke of his memories of this pastorate at St. Joachim.

The cross was presented to Sister Rosiat, Superior of the Sisters at that time, for the chapel.

Following the blessing open house for guests and members of the parish was held with refresh- ments served in the convent dining room.


"in the year 1883 on the twentieth day of April, the Rev. N. Orfei was appointed pastor of Old Mines parish and on the twenty-ninth of the same month he took formal possession of the parish. He was astonished to see that in such a parish like Old Mines, one of the oldest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, there was but one society, that of the Holy Rosary. This society was established and confirmed on the eighth of September 1836 by the Rev. John Brants. C.M. Though the aforesaid society contained so many members of both sex, yet the new, pastor wished to have two more societies; one of the Society of St. Joseph for the gentlemen and the Society of the Children of Mary for the young ladies. He therefore expressed his wish to his parishioners to have these two societies formed as soon as possible. And, on the twenty-ninth day of July of the same year he spoke from the altar on the subject. On the following Sunday, fifth of August, he urged the gentlemen to form the Society of St. Joseph. To his astonishment seven-teen gentlemen came to the sacristy after Mass to join the said society. This done, a meeting was called for the following Sunday, twelfth of August. and the number was raised to twenty-six. At the meeting the object and purpose of the society was freely explained by the Rev. Pastor and the number of members was raised to sixty (60). As on the following Sunday the Rev. Patrick John Ryan, Coadjutar Bishop of St. Louis was to come to Old Mines to administer the sacrament of Confirmation to about 400 persons of both sex including young and old, the society passed a resolution to go in a body to meet his Lordship at the station and accompany him to the Church. There some of the members of the society were waiting for his Lordship. Having addressed a few words of thanks to the society, he withdrew to the priest's residence. The following morning, nineteenth of August, all the 'gentlemen of the society, sixty in all, marched in procession from the sacristy through the iron gate of the church yard to the front of the priest's residence. There they formed a new line four abreast and waited for the coming of his Grace who was called out by Rev. N. Orfei, who introduced to his Grace the gentlemen forming the society in a few words of encouragement to the society. His Grace listened attentively to the address. Often while addressing himself to the gentlemen, he spoke to them words of encouragement and faithfulness that will never be effaced from the mind and hearts of those who heard him. At the same time his Grace proclaimed the said society duly organized according to the laws of the Roman Catholic Church. His Grace having bestowed his blessing of them, the gentlemen marched back to the sacristy in the same way as they came. In the Church the gentlemen formed a line of honor to his Grace in the sanctuary. The divine services being over, the gentlemen formed another procession and went to thank his Grace for the great favor bestowed on them by organizing the said society under the direction of their pastor. The gentle men wishing to give his Lordship a token of their esteem for such a great favor as to be among them on the feast of their patron saint, St. Joachim, patron saint of the Church and of the parish, expressed their desire of accompanying his Lordship back to the station on the following day in the same way they went to meet him. To this his Grace declined telling them they had their family duties to attend to and that their good wishes and intentions were sufficient for him. Having blessed them a second time, his Grace retired and the gentlemen. by order of the president, went home to meet again on the second day of September, being the last Sunday of the month, for their first meeting."

The first meeting, was held on September 2, 1883 and the following were elected as the officers:
President: W.F. Bolduc
Vice-President: F.L. Bequette Secretary: P.S. Coleman
Treasurer: John Z. Coleman
Master of Ceremonies: Acan Thebeau First Assistant: James Dean
Second Assistant: John Ross
Third Assistant: Charles Sullivan
Bearer of Banner: James Ackerson Bearer of U.S. Flag: Lomis Boyer
It was -also resolved that the names of the seventeen gentlemen who started the society be written as a record to the future generations and as an honor to themselves. The seventeen original members were: P.S. Coleman, John Z. Coleman, Acan Thebeau, Francis L. Bequette, Zenon Portell, Willis,Boiduc. Francis Thebeau, Edward Boyer, J.C. Coleman,,Joseph Bequette, William Sullivan Adrian Coleman, James Dean, Alxis Coleman, John E. Coleman, Francis S. Bourisaw, Paschal Duclos.
Statement by the Secretary, P.S. Coleman, for August 14 to December 15, 1883:
Took in $98.75 Spent $77.25 balance of $21.50.
Most of the minutes over the years of the society's existence read as the following which is the entry for July 3, 1910:
Being the first Sunday of the month the meeting was called to order with prayers by the President. Roll call. Fees collected for the month amounted to $9.60. No further business, the meeting was closed by the President with prayers. (signed) J. Z. Coleman, Secretary.


J.Z. Coleman was secretary from September 1888 to August 1915. Officers for the society elected on August 1915 were as follows:
President: Melvin Politte
Secretary: Clarence Pashia Li Treasurer: Paschal DeClue
Grand Martial: Joseph Reando Li C. W. Pashia was secretary from August 1915 until October 1930.
Elections on October 5, 1930 were as
follows:
President: Wilfred Pashia
Vice-President: Charles Pashia Li
Secretary: Andrew Coleman Li Treasurer: James Bourisaw
The society paid for half of the doctor bill of any member up to and including $10. It also helped pay funeral expenses of members and provided for the saying of Masses.
The last elections we have record of are in 1954:
President: John Agnew
Vice-President & Secretary: Edgar Bequette Treasurer: Charles Coleman
No records after 1955 can be found.