Samuel bishop settled here in 1838. The next settler was Mr. Christian Riemann a German and a Catholic, A. D. 1838. With characteristic German industry and patience he entered and tilled the land now owned by Mr. Henry Voss. Mr. Riemann died in 1868. The next Catholic settlers were: Franz Westendorff (1839), Joseph H. Brummer, Dieterich Kremer, Herman Vonderheide, Henry Mette, Bernard Sietmann, (January, 1847), Bernard Sandscheuper, Henry Probst, John Beckman, George Boeckenhold, (1846), Bernard Bierman, Dieterich Repking, Barney Niemerg, and others. Messrs. Jacob Fuelle, Clem Brumleve, the Mindrups and Hawickhorsts at first lived at Bishop Creek. Most of these came here from Cincinnati, Ohio, others came directly from Germany, Westphalia, Hannover and Oldenburg, via New Oreleans, St. Louis and Vandalia. The first teacher known was Mr. S. Field, before 1852. The first gristmill was owned by Mr. Armstrong. 

At first the Catholic pioneers had to go to Teutopolis, about six or more miles away, in order to satisfy their religious needs. Yet even amid the greatest privations and hardships these sturdy men realized the need of educational advantages, and in 1852 organized a "School Society" to build a log or block school. Mr. Theodore Repking was authorized to borrow $80.00 for erecting a school. It seems to have cost about $49.00. The fist teacher they engaged was Mr. H. H. Huels who enjoyed the benefits of a classical education and had taught in a higher institution in England. He had to write his own Certificate, probably because the official in question was incompetent. His salary is said to have been $15.00 per year. His residence was under the same roof as the school, separated only by an open corridor. This school gave way to the present brick structure in 1877. It caused an expenditure of $1,000.00. The teacher and organist's residence was partly built by the parish, partly by the district, according to Mr. William Dust. As early as 1853 did the Bishopers think of erecting a church of their own. About twenty-five horsemen escorted the Reverend Joseph Zoegel, (pastor at Teutopolis November, 1850-June, 1854) to the 40 acres they had purchased from Mr. Barney Niemerg in January 1852, for the consideration of $120.00. Some lumber had already been bought, but the execution of the plan struck a snag. According to Charles Eversman, ("History of Effingham County") in 1883 the Right Reverend Bishop wanted a solid brick church or none. Others think that the unfinished church at Teutopolis may have delayed it. The black walnut weatherboards were sold to Mr. Niemerg and are still to be seen on the old home. The money was put on interest. Fathers' Zoegel and Charles Raphael did however come out occasionally to say Mass. Father Mathias Hiltermann, O.F. M., seems to have come about once a month to say Mass, and give instructions for young and old. In 1862, St. Joseph's Men's Society was founded.

Following is the list of teachers as usually given thought the sequence is not entirely correct: Messrs. H.H. Huels, 1852-54; Theodore Repking, Henry Nienaber, John Borgmann, 1856; Henry Klinkhmammer, Bernard Wernsing, Henry Kempker, Henry Peters, Henry Ackersmann, Gotesleben (Peter ?), Leo Baltenwick, Ferdinand Heimeier, 1863-73; Christopher Guithues, 1872-80; Theodore Guithues, 1880-90; Joseph Hotze, 1890-05; Rudolph Merz, 1905-07; Miss Margaret Thoele, 1907-08; Mr. John Weber, 1908-10; Charles H. Wormann, 19190-17; H.C. Weirich, 1917-19; George Hentschel, 1919-23, and William J. Duerr, 1923 -----.

One time Very Reverend Kilian, O.F.M., had a very difficult sick call to Bishop Creek. The roads in those days must have beggared description to judge from present conditions in bad weather. He therefore declared: "Now the Bishopers shall have their own church." The Building Committee consisted of Messrs. John H. Westendorff, John Joseph Hartke, Bernard Seitmann, Joseph H. Mette and A. Repking. Reverend Raynerius, O.F.M., had obtained permission from the Ordinary of the Diocese to "build where priest and people saw fit."

Father Nazarius Kommerscheid, O.F. M., was appointed the first pastor and probably built the church. On April 20, 1865, the corner stone was laid by the Very Reverend Killian Schlosser, O.F.M. He enclosed in it a newspaper containing the news of the dastardly murder of President t Lincoln. The first Mass in the still unfinished church was said by the Reverend P. Kroeger, who had been formerly a clerk in the F. J. Waschefort store, and who was now collecting for his poor church in this vicinity. The dimensions of this church were 60x40 feet, and the cost about $7,000. In the spring of 1866 Very Reverend Killian Schloesser dedicated the church under the invocation of St. Aloysius. The sermon was likewise preached by Father Killian.

January 12, 1867, right Reverend Bishop H. D. Juncker visited St. Aloysius church at Bishop Creek. After the ceremony bishop Juncker spoke a few heartfelt words.

The brick church erected in 1865-66 soon threatened to collapse and had to be braced, owing to the poor sandstone used in its construction. Father Paulinus Tolksdorf, O.F.M., (September 1888-91) realized the necessity of a new structure and began to take up a house to house collection for this purpose. The result was $595.00. This proved that the parishioners realized the need of a new structure and were willing to make sacrifices for it. His successor, Father Nazarius Kaiser, O.F.M. worked for the same end. When the preparations were advanced so far, the superior's ordered the pastor to exchange place with the Reverend Alardus Andrescheck, O.F.M., rector of the Sacred Heart parish at Lillyville, Cumberland County, where the elderly father had just displayed great skill in building a new church at a low cost.

After much deliberation the present site was agreed upon. The mooted second question of how the church should face was decided by Father Alardus according to the rubric which calls for the altar facing east.

The designs for the new house of God were drawn by the well-known Franciscan Architect, Brother Adrian Wewer. The edifice proved to be on eof the most beautiful churches in this section and well may the Bishop people be proud of their place of worship built in the impressive Romanesque style. It is about 130 feet long and 55 feet wide. The steeple rises to a height of 140 feet, and the cross is 6 feet high. On the west side several rooms were added; the one on the northwest serves as a sacristy, the other on the southwest side as the pastor's office; the two rooms above them as bedrooms.

The windows of plain colored glass are from the firm of G. A. Misch of Chicago, Illinois, most of them costing $55.00 each. The one east of the organ cost probably $80.00. They were donated by the four societies of the parish, by Mr. Anthony Repking, Joseph Mette, Sr., Joseph Harke, Sr., the building committee, the Joseph Worman Family. The two smaller ones of the façade bear the names of Mr. John Tappehorn.

On April 8, 1893, the Very Reverend Michael, O.F.M., Provincial of the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart, laid the corner stone and preached I German and English. From December 8, 1894, when the church was finished and had been privately blessed with Episcopal permission, Father Alardus regularly held divine service therein. On the following September 8, 1895, Right Reverend James Ryan, D.D., dedicated the new church. The solemn High Mass was sung by Reverend Polycarp Rhode, O.F.M., pastor and guardian at Teutopolis, Illinois. At the departure of Father Alardus the expenditures for the new church amounted to $14,500. It is present vale is at least $75,000.00.

When Father Alardus left, Father Marcus Thienel, O.F.M., was again sent to take charge of St. Aloysius church for a few months, till Reverend Eusebius Helle, O.F.M., arrived. During his administration (August, 1899-September, 1903), the old church was torn down and the material sold.

An addition was built to the teacher's house; a pavement was laid to the church. 1900 St. Aloysius congregation numbered about 86 families (German, 77, English, 9) with 88 pupils in school; First Communicants, 9; Marriages, 10; funerals, 2. A mission was held in 1902, and in 1903 Mrs. Mary Burghardt bequeathed $122.00 to the church.

Father Eusebius found a worth successor in the Reverend Clete Gierschewski, O.F.M., (September 1903-September 1905). During his administration "The debts began to vanish like fog before the frays of the sun." And yet he said little about money and made considerable improvements. Thus he installed the confessional ($105.00) and the steam heating plant ($1,032.55) and paid off about $2,350, leaving an indebtedness of $1,215.

When obedience called, Father Clete elsewhere, the genial Father Ivo Beu, O.F.M., came in September 1905, to fill the vacancy. He invited Mr. Hepfinger of Chicago, Illinois, to decorate St. Aloysius church. The work was done in a very creditable manner for the consideration of $700. While putting up the scaffolding for the painter, Mr. Henry Voss, on eof the trustees met with a very regrettable accident. He had the misfortune of running a pine sliver into his right hand. Unable to fine it, he worked till evening, when he was unable to continue. Despite medical care he remained an invalid for the rest of his days, being unable to make use of his forearm.

Instead of a fixed salary, the Franciscan Father took up a "spring and a fall Termin" or collection of victual, the value of which till about 1892 averaged about $170.00 to $200.00; later on cash payments were accepted to be more like other parishes. In 1905 the Dieterich church of Mary Immaculate was ready and Reverend Beede Carberry at St. Joseph's College was appointed first pastor until the Bishop could provide a resident pastor. In 1905 the Bishop parish numbered only 65 families with 60 pupils. Father Ivo installed two side altars at a cost of $600.00, and a sidewalk for $129.00.

His successor was the Reverend Didacus Gruenholz, O.F.M., who after several weeks had to exchange places with the Reverend Edmund Roediger, O.F.M., a former missionary to China. The new pastor purchased some banners, new statues, and above all a fine pneumatic pipe organ of the Wick Brothers Pipe Organ Company, which cost $1,650, including freight. After the Dedication, Mr. Wick gave a sacred concert in the afternoon. In 1907 the pastor's salary had been raised to $400.00. Mr. John Weber was teacher and organist at this time.

In September 1918, Reverend Paschal left for Hermann, Missouri, and Reverend Benedict Pfeifer, O.F.M., took charge of St. Aloysius parish at Bisho Creek. In the summer of 1920, Father Isadore Fosselmann, O.F.M., was appointed his successor. During his inumbency the tool-shed with much lumber, a fine old pulpit, etc., burned. When the Provincial Chapter in 1921 elected Father Isadore guardian at Teutopolis, Reverend Wolfgang Kraus, O.F.M., was sent to attend St. Aloysisu from the summer of 1921 to the end of July 1924. He made extensive repairs on the organist and teacher's residences, renewed the gutters of the church, and bought several copes and sets of green vestments for Forty Hours Adoration. Right Reverend Adalert Schuecker, O.F.M., Vicar Apostolic in China, administered Confirmation to a class of fort children on May 10, 1923.

Father Wolfgang's successor is the Reverend Eugene Hagedorn, O.F.M., since July 29, 1924. To provide recreation for the young people, he organized a baseball club and gave the boys a playground near the church. Besides a number of minor improvements made, he sought to put the parish on a sound financial basis. The plan of building a hall as a community center met with much opposition owing to the almost complete failure of crops in 1925.

In November 1925, the congregation numbered 66 families and about 350 souls. The 80 children attend four district schools. The priest comes from Teutopolis on Friday, gives instructions on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The parish societies are: St. Joseph's Men and Holy Name; St. Mary's Christian Mother's Society; St. Aloysius Young Men and Holy Name; St. Teresa's Young Ladies' Sodality; the Holy Childhood Association, and the Franciscan Missionary Union.

Confirmation was administered at Bishop Creek Church by Right Reverend Bishop Baltes on April 30, 1883; by Right Reverend Bishop James Ryan, on October 26, 1888; by the same at Effingham on October 12, 1919; by Bishop Ad. Schmuecker, O.F.M., in Bishop Creek. At all other time s the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered at Teutopolis.

Reverend Christopher Guithues is the only priest the parish can claim, and he was born at Carlisle, Illinois. His father, however, taught school at Bishop Creek for ten years. At the same time he was sexton and organist while William (such was Father Christopher's baptismal name) studied there or at St. Joseph's College.

Sister Mary Repking, now at Wichita, Kansa, was for twelve or more years Provincial of the Sisters of the Precious Blood at Ruma, Illinois. Sister Eustacia (Ida) Goeckner; Sister M. Murita (Helen) Probst; Sister M. Prudentia (Hellen Niemerg; Sister M. Cosma (Lena) Beckman. All these are Sisters of the Precious Blood.

Some of the oldest settlers are: Mrs. Elizabeth Repking nee Sandschafer, born in Germany and came with her parents to Bishop Creek in 1846, at the age of nine years. Mrs. Phil Sandschafer nee Uptmor, is slightly younger; Mr. Barney Goeckner is about 85 years old and came about 55 years ago to Bishop Creek. Mr. Joseph Hartke came with his father from Cincinnati, Ohio, his nave place, about 1856. Mr. Joseph Worman, Sr. in 1869 came from Green Creek, Illinois where his father settled, about 1840. Mr. Barney Probst, age 77 years, whose parents came from Germany in 1846.

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