The first Catholic School in Bishop Township was erected in 1852 on the present forty-acre plot then purchased for the future church, and was taught by Herman H. Huels until 1854. In this early school the Franciscan Fathers, Joseph Zoegel, O.F.M., then pastor of St. Francis Church at Teutopolis in St. Francis Township, and his successor, Charles Raphale, O.F.M., held services at different times, as did also Father Matthias Hiltermann, O.F.M., in 1863.

St. Aloysius Church "on 'Big Bishop' Creek" was the first church erected in the township. It was built in the year 1851 or '52. The first Catholic school in Dieterichsburg was erected in 1890. To this parochial school in several cases the village children indiscriminately came, in preference to walking the long distance to the District School. Which then was located at the north of the corporation.

At the time of its incorporation the town embraced a wide area, this being necessary to meet the State Laws of incorporation. With the increase of souls, however, this is now no longer the state of affairs. The confines of the village have become more restricted.

The Catholic School, a small one-room frame structure, is still standing on its original site. This land as well as the site whereon rests the present Immaculate Conception Church was donated to the congregation by Peter Hutmacker, one of Dieterich's early citizens. Mr. Hutmacher was very prominent in the Dieterich Catholic circles in the early days. His name, as also that of the Hutmacher family as a whole, will ever live in the memory of the Parish for their benefactions, deep interest and whole-hearted activity.

The little school building is now used as a sort of Parish Hall. The Parish property is located in the eastern part of the original village of "Dietrichsburg" and a little north of the present Illinois central Railroad. Here the first depot-a boxcar was located. This part of the village in those days was the business section. Since then the commercial center has moved farther west.

From the previously mentioned St. Aloysisus Congregation "on Bishop Creek" have come many of the families who go to make up the present Immaculate Conception Parish in Dieterich. John Grace and Michael Dieterich were prominent characters among the early settlers of Bishop Township.

We now pass on to Michael Dieterich, born July 23, 1826, in Germany. The records at hand show that he was the father of at least eight children, viz., Henry, Lizzie, Minnie, Barbara, Michael, Caroline, John and one dead. None of them reside here at the present time. Mr. Dieterich seems to have been a very shrewd businessman. He gave the right of way for the Springfield, Effingham and Quincy Railroad" which crosses diagonally the north half of section Thirteen. At the completion of this road in 1880, the company built a station on his land and he naturally named it "Dieterichsburg" in his honor, and it was surveyed in the fall of 1880 by County Surveyor A. S. Moffit. So "Dieterichsburg-Graceville" ceased to exist as a twin village and hence was known under one name, "Dieterichsburg." This name, the railroad company for telegraphic brevity, later still, cut down to "Dieterich, "the town's present legal designation. Dwelling sites were bought up as inhabitants increased; different lines of commerce were entered into; the town developed more and more, and Dieterich became a fine business center for many miles around, especially the south and west. At one time it sheltered over one thousand inhabitants. Today there are not over five hundred people in Dieterich. The sites seem to be calling them away, and each year the population grows a little less.

Besides those already mentioned quite a few other Catholic families gradually became dwellers of the original Dieterichsburg. Before the erection of a church in the town these pious people and those of the vicinity, in order to fulfill their religious duties, necessarily went to St. Aloysius Church "on Big Bishop Creek," three and one-quarter miles due west of this village, or to St. Joseph Church, Island Grove in Jasper County. In the inclement weather of the spring, fall and winter this was a great hardship, and demanded many sacrifices.

The Franciscan Fathers established a school taught at various times by the following: Mary Mulvaney, Rose Gardewine , George Probst, Leo Mulvaney, John A. Donsbach, Cecilia Ordner, Mary Bertram, Laura Ordner, Josephine Brink, Emma Lampe, Maggie Brey and Edna Petry. Which of the above was first to so act the time of the school's origin in 1891 is not exactly known. Earnestly realizing their isolation and deeply regretting their situation, after a fairly well attended meeting the leading Catholics of the community appointed and sent a committee to the Right reverend James Ryan, D.D., who was then at St. Michael Church in Sigel, on one of his Episcopal visits, with the request to permit them to build a church of their own in Dieterich. The personnel of this body consisted of the following: Joseph Hoedebecke, George Overbeck, C. J. Steppe, George Krumberg and Nicholas Hutmacher. These men, be it stated, deserve much credit for their interest shown both in the early days of the Parish and in its later development. The Bishop kindly and readily granted their petition. The ground for the school and church site was donated.

Reverend Celtus Girschewski, O.F.M., was the pastor of St. Aloysius Congregation "on Bishop Creek" 1903-05, during which time he also cared for the Dieterich Catholics. Under his leadership preliminaries were attended to, material were gathered together, and ground for the local structure was broken. In the following spring building operations began in all earnestness. In September of 1904, the present frame structure was brought to a completion. One year later, September 17, 1905, the edifice was fittingly dedicated under the ever-inspiring title of "The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary." Local Catholics, in abbreviation, are accustomed to call it "St Mary Church."

Brother Christopher, O.F.M., of the Teutopolis Monastery, designed the building. The building committee with Father Celtus, O.F.M., as leader, consisted of these gentlemen: Charles J. Steppe, Nicholas Hutmacher and William J. Petry, Jr. The labor and material in many instances were donated. Prior to its dedication, the Parish Dramatic Society gave a play in the building. The sanctuary served as the stage while the sacristy and Missionary's quarters furnished dressing rooms for the actors. A fair sum was realized from this production. Today the "Girls and Young Ladies' Sodality" aided by the Parish members continue this dramatic circle. From time to time they give plays and entertainment in the Town Hall. In the early days the upper story of the old "Petty Brothers'" frame structure served as their Dramatic Hall. Their old scenery and unique curtain are still on hand in a good state of preservation.

The "Petty" building was destroyed by fire some three or four years ago. The village bought up the site and thereon erected the new Town Hall. This is now used for their public Meetings.

The Franciscan Fathers continued to care for the Dieterich "Mission" until April 1907. After this time the Bishop chose to attach it to St. Thomas congregation in Newton, Japer County, as a "mission." Father Bede Carbury, O.F.M. then attached to the teaching staff of 'St. Joseph College at Teutopolis, Illinois, was the last Franciscan Father to have charge of the Dieterich Mission. From this time Very Reverend Dean John Molitor, R.D., of Newton, Illinois, through the agency of his various assistants, diligently looked after the needs of the Mission. The first of these assistants was Reverend John Marion. The present Pastor of St. Mary congregation, Alexander, Morgan County, Illinois, Father Francis A Lucius, was the happy successor of the above named. He remained until March 1909.

The present incumbent, Father Oscar J. W. Wernet, was next assigned by the Bishop, with charge under Dean Molitor of this Mission. The latter in taking up the work of his predecessors found the people very enthusiastic and especially desirous of regular Sunday services. Owing to conditions existing, they readily understood this to be impossible unless they could have a resident priest. And in compliance with their wishes, under the guidance of their Pastor, a lot 50x150 feet adjoining the church on the east was duly purchased from C. J. Steppe for $300.00. The necessary preliminaries cared for, building was commenced and in December 1910, the present substantial brick rectory was ready for occupancy. George Overbeck and Nicholas Hutmacher served with the Pastor as building committee. As in the church structure, so also in this case, much of the labor and lumber were donated. In its formation and upbuilding the Dieterich Parish had its difficulties to contend with and its little obstacles to overcome, together with the numerous sacrifices to be borne in such events. A good-sized debt, like a threatening cloud, glowingly hung over it.

The congregation has furnished the county with a number of efficient teachers. Of these we are able to mention the name s of the following: Annette M. Bareum and Ester Donsbach. The first named is now a member of the Notre Dame Sisters, while the latter is engaged in public school teaching near Montrose, Illinois.

The several young ladies of the village to enter the Religious Life are the following: Theresia Clara Overbeck, deceased; Frances Catherine Probst, and Annette Mary Bareum.

A fire resulting from a stroke of lightning in the early morning of Sunday, September 4, 1910 caused considerable damage to the church. No financial loss, however, was suffered by the congregation as the insurance policy fully cared for that part. Some inconvenience had to be borne for a while until repairs were completed. A few changes in the rear of the edifice were necessitated as a result of the above incident.

Since then each year has seen some necessary improvements to the property from their meagre purses. The Parish is free from all indebtedness. In this connection special mention must be made of Wen O'Reilly, deceased. This pious member of the congregation bequeathed much of the money wherewith the parish met its financial burdens. For the same reason we dare not pass over the name of John N. Steppe.

Of the 166 Baptisms administered as recorded in the Parish Books up to date, the first took place in the Teutopolis College Chapel. The child was the son of Nicholas Hutmacher and wife, Anne, nee Bareum. It occurred on August 20, 1905. The sponsors were Henry Meyer and Elizabeth Lustig with Father Bede Carbury, O.F.M., officiating.

The first of the forty-one marriages on record was that of Henry Habing and Elizabeth Hardollar. It occurred on October 20, 1905, with Father Bede Carbury, O.F.M., officiating, and with Francis Hardollar and Catherine Pille as witnesses.

There have been 136 First Holy Communions up to date. The Holy Sacrament of Confirmation was conferred on a total of 92 persons as the records show. The names of others appear on the Parish Books of either Bishop, Teutopolis, or St. Thomas, at Newton, Illinois.

Regarding deaths and burials there have been in all forty-one to date. The first one on record indicates that of a certain George Benick. He was a man of 56 years of age, dying suddenly on October 24, 1905. His burial took place on October 26, 1905. The obsequies were in charge of Father Bede Carbury, O.F.M. These facts are in full accord with the Parish Records.

Others serving, as Parish Trustees are the following: William Lusting and George Overbeck until January 1919; William H. Ruegger and Leopold Deters until 1920. From 1920 the following gentlemen have been holding the office, viz., J. H. Westendorf and Leopold Deters. They still continue in that capacity and deserve great credit for their many sacrifices in different ways for the good of the congregation and for their ready willingness to sustain the Pastor in all undertakings.

From the very beginning the Altar Society and the Sacred Heart League have been in existence in the Parish. The present officers of these efficient organizations are as follows: President, Mrs. Thomas L. Wooley; Vice President, Mrs. Ben Beckman; Secretary, Mrs. John A. Donsbach; Treasurer, Mrs. Michael McMahon; Counselors, Mesdames J. H. Westendorf, Joseph Lusting, Sr., and William Lustig.

In 1910 the "Girls and Young Ladies' Sodality" was established. Their Prefect is Miss Gladys Bareum; Secretary, Miss Dorothy Hutmacher; Treasurer, Miss Evelyn Petry. Their Holy Communion Sunday follows that of the Married Ladies' Organization mentioned above. It includes in its membership all the girls who have made their First Holy Communion. They have about thirty members enrolled.

On Christmas Day, 1910, "The Holy Childhood Association" was established in the Parish. Its roster embraces every child, even infants, of the congregation up to the sixteenth year. The children rejoice in it.

On Easter Sunday, 1924, in accordance with the wish of the Right Reverend Bishop, James Aloysius Griffin, D.D., a "Senior" and a "Junior Division" of the "Diocesan Holy Name Confraternity," was duly established. The following are the Charter officers: President, Albert Bareum; Vice President, Rudolf Schneider; Secretary, William J. Petry; Treasurer, Henry Krone, Jr.; Marshall N. Hutmacher; Consultors, George Westendorf, Joseph Lusting, Sr., and Henry Meyer. Prefects, Louis N. Hutmacher, Aloysius H. Westendorf and Lawrence Donsbach. They are a fine body of men and they certainly made a fine and lasting impression upon the congregation and all who witnessed the 1924 Easter Sunday event in general. The Junior Division have the following for their Prefects: Edgar Lusting and Leonard A. Bareum.

The names of those of the Dieterich Parish to serve in the ranks as soldiers in the late war are as follows: Frank Niendick, B.F. Deters, George Deters, Edward Hutmacher, Joseph Hutmacher, Peter Hutmacher, Jr., Lawrence Lusting, Harry Meyer, Edward B. Meyer, Allie Hutmacher, Joseph Ruegger, Eugene McCaffery, Alphonse Wooley and Aloysius Westendorf.

*Should be 1905

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