FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Florian,
314-607-9459
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION–ST. HENRY CHURCH
CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF PARISH MERGER
Non-denominational concert, Mass with Archbishop Justin Rigali planned
ST. LOUIS - Nov. 21, 2002 - Twenty five years ago, the Church of St. Henry closed its doors and joined with the nearby Church of the Immaculate Conception. The Church of St. Henry, located at California and Rutger in St. Louis City, had been a staple of the community for nearly 92 years. Today, the Immaculate Conception-St. Henry Catholic parish celebrates the spirit of rebirth and community activism that united the two parishes 25 years ago and continues today.
To commemorate the anniversary, a non-denominational concert is planned for Friday, Dec. 6 at the church, located at 3120 Lafayette Ave. in St. Louis City. A Mass celebrated by Archbishop Justin Rigali is also planned for Sunday, Dec. 8 at the church. Both events are open to the public.
“The celebration not only represents the merger of the two parishes 25 years ago, but also symbolizes the feeling of revitalization present in the neighborhoods surrounding the church,” said Rev. John Gavin, OSA, pastor at Immaculate Conception-St. Henry Parish. “New subdivisions are being built, homes once dilapidated are undergoing renovations and neighborhoods are forming again. We are inviting all of our neighbors, no matter what their religion, to join us in this celebration of the community.”
The free concert is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by composer/musician Bradford Smith of Fairview Heights, IL. Playing the Native American Flute, Smith will perform his very own meditative compositions, including “Flying Jazz,” accompanied by interpretative dancer Sarah Hughes. Hughes is an eighth grade honor student at Hixson Junior High in Webster Groves and has been dancing since the age of 3. Smith is well known in the area and has made his mark on the music scene with performances at such notable venues such as The Sheldon Concert Hall, Laumeier Sculpture Park, area radio stations and countless art, church and holistic health events.
Other performers at the concert will include:
“My goal in organizing the concert was to create diversity among the performers’ ethnic origins, religions, and music styles,” said June Rohde of the church’s Parish Council. “A concert of diversity represents the true character of our parish, as it has been for many years.”
A reception will follow the concert at the church’s Parish Center, 3139 Lafayette.
In keeping with the diversity theme, residents of all denominations are also invited to the celebration of the Mass with Archbishop Justin Rigali at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. A reception attended by the Archbishop will follow the Mass at the church’s Parish Center.
For more information about the 25th Anniversary of Immaculate Conception-St. Henry Parish, contact the parish office at 314-776-1333.
