St. Leo the Great Parish History

Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church, situated on the corner of South Main Avenue and West Perry Street, can trace its history to the monks and priests who accompanied Hernando DeSoto to the area in 1540. The first attempt to establish a permanent Catholic presence in Marengo county took place in 1817 with the Vine and Olive Colony.

Even though the vine and Olive Colony was not successful, the seeds of Catholicism were planted. These seeds have not failed. They have suffered all the vicissitudes of fortune. Yet, by the grace of God, they have survided and blossomed into a small, vialbe and vibrant parish.

For many years, the Catholic community in Demopolis was a Mission served by many priest. It is mentioned in the Catholic Directory from 1851 - 1854 as a Mission of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tuscaloosa. After that, it was a Mission of the Church of the Assumption in Selma. Selma was, at that time, a Mission itself under the care of the Jesuits from Spring Hill College in Mobile.

Since 1817, Mass has been held in many places in Demopolis - warehouse, businesses, homes, ect. The turning point for the Catholic community came when Mrs. Louisa Gasquet James came to visit her son Peter, who lived in what is now called the Laird home on Walnut Street. She immediately began to plan for a permanent church building. In 1882 she obtained from Mrs. E. T. Henley, a whole block of land, form Main to Walnut Avenues and from Perry to Decatur Streets. This was given to the diocese of Mobile for the erection of a church building.

This valuable spot lay idle for many years. At times it served as a playground for children. At others, it was a pasture for cows. But later, the native Catholic families which included the McGraths, Oberings, Garbers, Browders and Stapletons recaptured the spirit of Mrs. James and set out to make the building an actuality.

Half of the block of property was sold to Isadore Bley, for a homesite adn cow pastrure, in order to begin construction. Many of the citizens of Demopolis, although not Catholic, proved to be real friends. Many bazaars and suppers were held in order to raise money. The Catholic Extensin Society also donated money for the cause. Soon the dream became reality. The city had hired Mr. J. A. Gaboury, from Jacksonville, AL, to install the city sewage system and he was asked by the congregation to draw the plans and serve on the building committee along with Mr. Buck Garber, Mr. Richard McGrath and Miss Louise Garber (treasurer).

The cornerstone of the present church was laid in 1904 and consruction was completed in 1905. The church was consecrated by Bishop Edward P. Allen in 1905. The building is of double brick wall construction - exterior of pressed brick from Anniston, and interior of brick form Riverside Brick Company, owned by the McGraths. Allen J. Krebs fo Birmingham served as the contractor. The interior walls were furnished in smooth white plaster with wainscot and ceiling of pine. Gothic arches of heart pine could be found throughout.

The church was named Saint Leo the Great at eht request of Mrs. Burke, form Boston, who gave te original altar. The current altar, placed in the late 1970's is of Alabama marble. Mrs. Kate Garber donated teh statue of the Blessed Mother, the Obering family donated the Sacred Heart statue, the donors of the Saint Anthony and Saint Joseph statues adre unknown. (All of these statues were destroyed in the fire of 1960.) In 1936 Saint Leo the Great was no longer considered a Mission, but raised to the canonical status of a Parish church.

The interior was damaged by a small fire in 1954 - renovations ensued. The church was remodeled in 1960 and 1961 as the result of an extensive fire in 1960. The church was again remodeled in the late 1970's to conform with the new liturgical reforms.

Originally the priest's slept in the Sacristy and ate meals with various parishioners. Later, the Browders and Garbers donated $2,000 which was used to build a room for the preist on the rear of the church. The current rectory (307 South Main Avenue) was built between 1947 and 1950 while Father Finneran was pastor.

Saint Leo the great is the "mother church" of west central Alabama, in that there are currently three Missions attached to her. Saint Leo the Great was placed on the Alabama Historical Registry in 1979.

Conclusion

Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church stands today as an enduring symbol of all the Catholic people who have ever celebrated teh Eucharist in Demopolis. The continuity of that community - from the probable scenario of Hernando DeSoto and his followers gathered around a Mass being celebrated by a Franciscan friar accompanying the conquistadors, through the French founders of our city, to the present gatherings for worship - is not found in the people by the object of their worship, Jesus Christ, Son of God, who "is the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)