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164	Catholicity	in	Mississippi
$1500, and the parishioners contributed $1000. The new building rose and is still a fine building.
Time drew near for the complete separation. So far a little chapel in the school had served for the children. This chapel would never do for the whole congregation. Through His Excellency, Bishop Gerow, Father Baltes received $3000, and Mrs. K. Burke donated $1000. The rest had to be raised by a mortgage. On August 28, 1926, St. Rose of Lima Mission was declared distinct and independent from the parish of Our Lady of the Gulf. Father Baltes was made its first pastor.
Then came the great day. On November 14, 1926, the new church was dedicated by Bishop Gerow in the presence of 11 priests. To add to the solemnity of the occasion, 42 persons made their first Communions in the morning and were Confirmed in the afternoon. The parish of St. Rose of Lima had become a reality. Now it became necessary, too, that the pastor should have his residence near the place of his activity. A house was bought and remodeled into a rectory.
New Buildings Completed in Short Time
When the number of Sisters increased with the number of pupils larger quarters had to be found for them. With the help of the Bishop, who promised between a thousand and fifteen hundred dollars, and a gift of $3000 from the Society of the Divine Word, the new building was started. When the Sisters returned for their 1927 school term, they could move into the new convent. Now the whole plant was complete. To think that in such a short time a new church, school, convent and rectory were built speaks well for the energy of the pastor, the kindness of his benefactors and the co-operation of the parishioners.
Then came word from Techny in 1931 that Father Baltes would be transferred to Jackson. It was heartbreaking news for the pastor as well as the parishioners. On November 27, Rev. John Hoenderop, S. V. D., took charge of the parish. He continued the work of his predecessor and became very popular with all. On January 14, 1935, Father Joseph Holken, S. V. D., took his place. He put a new roof on the school, enlarged the playground and installed a new sanitary system for the school.
The number of children has remained the same for the last
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few years. At the present time there are 236. The high school is on the list of approved Negro schools. The Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies’ Auxiliary, Blessed Virgin’s Sodality, Children of Mary and Holy Name Society has been established. A few months ago the St. Vincent de Paul Society was established and is doing fine work. The reception of the Sacraments is very satisfactory. On a recent Easter there were five converts, and there is hope that many others will follow them.